File #: Int 0198-2024    Version: * Name: Reporting on discounted internet service program utilization rates and improving outreach to eligible households.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Technology
On agenda: 2/28/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reporting on discounted internet service program utilization rates and improving outreach to eligible households
Sponsors: Jennifer Gutiérrez, Julie Won, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Farah N. Louis, Julie Menin, Tiffany Cabán, Gale A. Brewer, Shahana K. Hanif, Sandra Ung, Sandy Nurse, Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler
Council Member Sponsors: 12
Summary: This bill would require the Commissioner of Information Technology and Telecommunications to report to the Mayor and the Council on the number and the general geographical distribution of households that are eligible for the City’s discounted internet service program. Based on the report, the Commissioner would be required to formulate and execute a plan to increase awareness of the program and its utilization.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 198, 2. Int. No. 198, 3. February 28, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 2-28-24, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - February 28, 2024

Int. No. 198

 

By Council Members Gutiérrez, Won, Sanchez, Louis, Menin, Cabán, Brewer, Hanif, Ung, Nurse, Hudson and Restler

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reporting on discounted internet service program utilization rates and improving outreach to eligible households

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Title 23 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 13 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 13

DISCOUNTED INTERNET SERVICE PROGRAM

§ 23-1301 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

Commissioner. The term “commissioner” means the commissioner of information technology and telecommunications.

Department. The term “department” means the department of information technology and telecommunications.

Discounted internet access program. The term “discounted internet access program” means a program based on an agreement between the city of New York and internet service providers that offers reduced price internet service to low-income families and seniors.

§ 23-1302 Utilization report. No later than September 30, 2023, and on or before September 30 annually thereafter, the commissioner shall prepare and submit to the mayor and the council, and post on the department’s website, a report which shall include:

a. The benefits available through the discounted internet access program;

b. The criteria used to determine eligibility for the discounted internet access program;

c. The number of households eligible to receive discounted internet access through such program and their general geographical distribution;

d. The number of households that are receiving discounted internet access through such program and their general geographical distribution; and

e. A plan to promote awareness and utilization of the discounted internet access program.

§ 23-1303 Public outreach. The commissioner shall conduct outreach through the plan developed under section 23-1302 and target public facilities to promote awareness of the discount internet access program among eligible households.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of information technology and telecommunications may take such measures as are necessary for its implementation, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.

 

 

 

 

Session 13

LS #8440

1/19/24

 

Session 12

IP

LS #8440

6/6/22 6:00pm