§950aaa–2 Telemedicine and Distance Learning Services in Rural Areas

Summary

Allows the Secretary to give money to help build systems and facilities that deliver telemedicine and distance learning in rural areas. Money can be grants, low‑interest “cost of money” loans, or both. The Secretary decides how much of each to give, aiming for the most repayment possible based on a recipient’s ability to pay and full use of available funds. Eligible recipients include groups that use or provide telemedicine or distance learning, organizations that pass on the benefit to others at fair rates, and libraries. Electric or telephone borrowers can get loans only if they pass the funds to qualified projects, use them to buy or install the systems or facilities, make the systems available to qualified users, and only recover actual administrative costs. A borrower whose application is rejected may appeal within 10 days. The Secretary can also fund a facility outside a rural area if doing so is necessary to improve rural services. The Secretary must set rules to decide who gets money, using factors like local need, financial need, low population, local involvement, geographic spread, use of existing telecom, applicant funding, coordination with other projects, number of people served, and consistency with the State plan. The Secretary may set a yearly per‑recipient maximum and must publish it in the Federal Register within 45 days after funds are made available. Funds may pay for instructional programming, equipment and networks, and technical help or training, but not for salaries or general administrative costs. The Secretary may speed up loans for phone companies and must decide on an expedited loan within 45 days of a complete application. Grant applicants must tell the local phone company, and the Secretary will publish and let people see grant applications.