Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make high-speed internet an eligible utility allowance in public housing to help students get online. It would require allowance payments to cover monthly service, necessary equipment rental or purchase, and a one-time installation fee while capping the monthly internet cost at the lowest available rate in the area and excluding cable or telephone services.
Show full summary
- Families with children: Households in public housing that include children who qualify for free and reduced price lunch could have internet costs included in their utility allowance. They may still choose higher-cost or bundled service and pay the difference.
- Public housing agencies: Agencies must set utility allowances to include internet up to the area's lowest available monthly rate and exclude cable and phone charges.
- Internet providers and minors: Providers must supply, when service is first provided, a technology that blocks or filters explicit visual content for minors and meet certification standards set 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, utility allowances for public housing would include monthly high-speed internet, equipment rental or purchase, and a one-time installation fee. It would apply only if your household pays for internet and includes children who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch. The monthly amount counted would not exceed the lowest-cost high-speed internet plan available in your area and would not cover cable, satellite TV, or telephone charges. You would still be allowed to sign up for a more expensive plan or a bundled package but pay the extra yourself. The internet provider would have to give filtering technology when service starts that blocks certain explicit images at a level set by the Secretary.
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
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov