11546.46. (a) (1) By January 1, 2024, the Department of Technology, in consultation with the public, the Public Utilities Commission, and the California Broadband Council, shall develop a state digital equity plan.
(2) The Department of Technology, to the extent practicable, shall obtain all available federal funding for purposes of developing and implementing the state digital equity plan.
(b) The state digital equity plan shall include the following:
(1) The identification of barriers to digital equity faced by covered populations in this state. Barriers include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) The availability and affordability of access to fixed and wireless broadband technology.
(B) Accessibility and inclusivity of online public resources and services.
(C) Digital literacy.
(D) Awareness and use of measures to secure the online privacy and cybersecurity of an individual.
(E) Availability and affordability of consumer devices and technical support for those devices.
(2) Measurable objectives for documenting and promoting digital equity among covered populations located in the state.
(3) An assessment of how the objectives described will impact and interact with the following:
(A) Economic and workforce development goals, plans, and outcomes of the state.
(B) Educational outcomes, including, but not limited to, digital equity barriers for individuals with learning disabilities and English learners.
(C) Health outcomes.
(D) Civic and social engagement.
(E) Delivery of other essential services.
(4) A description of how the department plans to collaborate with key stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) Community anchor institutions.
(B) Local governments.
(C) Local educational agencies.
(D) Native American tribes.
(E) Nonprofit organizations.
(F) Organizations that represent covered populations.
(G) Civil rights organizations.
(H) Entities that carry out workforce development programs.
(I) State and local agencies that are responsible for administering or supervising adult education and literacy activities.
(J) State and local public housing authorities.
(K) Internet service providers (ISPs).
(L) Digital navigator programs.
(M) Partnerships between any of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (L), inclusive.
(5) A list of organizations with which the department collaborated in developing and implementing the state digital equity plan.
(6) An assessment of existing digital navigator programs in the state and recommendations for a statewide strategy for digital navigators to serve covered populations, including opportunities to integrate with other social service outreach programs and opportunities for covered populations to participate as navigators with training they can then leverage to enter careers in the information technology sector.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) The definitions in Section 60302 of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) apply unless otherwise specified in this section.
(2) “Consultation with the public” means soliciting and receiving policy recommendation letters from key stakeholders as listed in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b), soliciting and receiving public comment, and hosting public workshops and meetings.
(3) “Covered populations” means demographics that are underserved in regards to internet access and digital literacy, and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) Households whose income is 150 percent of the federal poverty level or less for the prior calendar year.
(B) Individuals 60 years of age or older.
(C) Incarcerated individuals, other than individuals who are incarcerated in a federal correctional facility.
(D) Veterans.
(E) Individuals with disabilities.
(F) Individuals with language barriers, such as English learners and individuals with low literacy levels.
(G) Members of a racial or ethnic minority group.
(H) Residents of rural areas.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 597, Sec. 2. (AB 2750) Effective January 1, 2023.)