HOUSE BILL 233

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Ambrose Castellano and Roger Montoya

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; REQUIRING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN PROVIDING INTERNET ACCESS TO TEACHERS STATEWIDE; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE FUNDS; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS--PAYMENT OF INTERNET COSTS--REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE FUNDS--EXCEPTIONS.--

          A. The public education department shall assist school districts in providing internet access to school teachers statewide.

          B. The public education department shall provide financial assistance monthly of up to:

                (1) one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per teacher, if the teacher is using a wi-fi hotspot that has not been provided by the school district; or

                (2) seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per teacher for regular internet services the teacher is using to provide online lessons to students.

          C. A school district shall provide the following information to the public education department on a monthly basis:

                (1) the number of teachers in the school district in need of assistance paying for internet access costs; and

                (2) receipts from each teacher for actual expenses paid out of pocket for internet costs.

          D. The funds provided for by this act shall only apply to teachers who have not:

                (1) been provided a wi-fi hotspot by the school district; and

                (2) returned to in-person teaching.  

          E. The provisions of this act shall only apply as long as a school district is under coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions or is offering only remote learning.

          F. The provisions of this act shall be effective from July 1, 2021 until the termination of the state of public health emergency related to the coronavirus disease 2019 as declared by the governor.