S. 3690

Referred to Committee

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

Introduced 5/12/2020•116th Congress•Senate

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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

5/12/2020 • Senate

Summary

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services.

Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type.

Introduced in Senate • 5/12/2020

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Topics & Subjects

Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthComputers and information technologyEducational facilities and institutionsEducational technology and distance educationElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government trust fundsIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesLibraries and archivesMinority educationTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communication