Int 0599-2022

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Chapter 48 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 1077 to read as follows: � 1077. Affordable internet programs for students and families. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Affordable internet program. The term "affordable internet program" means a program that provides discounts to households to help pay for broadband internet service or internet connected devices. Department. The term "department" means the department of information technology and telecommunications. School. The term "school" means a school of the city school district of the city of New York. b. No later than August 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall develop written materials containing information about the availability of affordable internet programs for students and families. Such materials shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information: 1. Descriptions of affordable internet programs available to students and families; 2. Eligibility for such affordable internet programs; and 3. Instructions on how to apply for such affordable internet programs. c. The department shall provide the materials required by subdivision b of this section to the department of education for distribution to each school, to be shared with every student of each such school at the beginning of each academic year. The department of education shall ensure that such materials are provided in hard copy to all schools in sufficient quantity to satisfy the requirements of this section. d. The department shall provide assistance with applying for affordable internet programs at each school, with permission from and in coordination with the department of education. e. The department shall post on its website the information about affordable internet programs required by subdivision b of this section, including links to websites that allow individuals to apply for each affordable internet program. f. No later than August 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report on the distribution of materials about affordable internet programs and the assistance provided with applying for affordable internet programs as required by this section. The report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information for the previous academic year: 1. The total number of schools that provided such materials to students; 2. The total number of schools that did not provide such materials to students, if any; 3. The total number of individuals at each school who sought assistance with applying for affordable internet programs; and 4. Any issues with providing such materials to students or assisting individuals with applying for affordable internet programs. � 2. This local law takes effect 30 days after it becomes law. JEF LS # 6824 7/7/2022 12:06pm 2 2