A. The council shall consult local and tribal governments, public educational institutions and state agencies to develop a digital equity analysis and plan to address:
(1) the challenges to digital inclusion that are posed by the lack of affordable quality service, broadband-enabled devices or the knowledge of how to use the devices effectively in different age, cultural or geographic populations across the state;
(2) the federal and private sector programs that could be applied to by state agencies or local or tribal governments to address the challenges identified in Paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(3) existing state programs or state programs that could be established that address or could leverage federal and private sector programs to address the challenges identified in Paragraph (1) of this subsection.
B. On or before August 1, 2023, the council shall report on the digital equity analysis and plan to the department and appropriate interim legislative committees.
C. On or before January 1, 2024, the department shall incorporate the digital equity analysis and plan and its recommendations into the statewide broadband plan.
D. The department shall cooperate with and provide relevant broadband-related information collected or developed by the department with the council.
History: Laws 2021, ch. 120, § 5.
Effective dates. — Laws 2021, ch. 120, § 10 made Laws 2021, ch. 120, § 5 effective July 1, 2021.