Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
Introduced
Summary
Expands public housing utility allowances to cover high-speed internet service. This bill would add a new utility allowance that can pay for monthly internet, equipment rental or purchase, and a one-time installation fee, subject to four limits.
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- Families in public housing: Households that incur internet costs and include children who qualify for free and reduced price lunch could have those internet costs included in their utility allowance.
- Children and students: The allowance targets families with school-age kids and requires the provider to supply initial filtering technology that blocks certain explicit visual material at a level set by the Secretary.
- Housing authorities: The monthly amount counted must not exceed the lowest-cost internet service available in the area and may not include cable, satellite TV, or telephone costs. Families may still choose higher-cost plans or bundles but the allowance covers only the capped amount.
- Internet providers: Providers must provide a specific technology on initial service that meets the statute’s blocking and certification standards as determined by the Secretary.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Internet help for public housing families
If enacted, public housing households with children who qualify for free or reduced price lunch would be able to count certain high-speed internet costs in their utility allowance. The allowance would cover monthly internet up to the lowest cost available in the area. It could also cover renting or buying equipment and a one-time installation fee. It would not include cable, satellite TV, or telephone costs. Households could still choose higher-cost plans or bundled packages but would pay the extra. Costs would be included only if the household actually pays and the provider initially supplies required filtering technology. This would start upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/4/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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