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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 381 FILED ON: 1/8/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3506
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Tara T. Hong
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to digital inclusion for seniors.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Tara T. Hong18th Middlesex1/8/2025Colleen M. Garry36th Middlesex3/9/2025Samantha Montaño15th Suffolk3/5/2025Francisco E. Paulino16th Essex3/11/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 381 FILED ON: 1/8/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3506
By Representative Hong of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3506) of Tara T.
Hong and others for legislation to establish a low-income senior internet subsidy program to
provide financial assistance to eligible seniors for internet services. Telecommunications,
Utilities and Energy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to digital inclusion for seniors.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 25C of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
2following section:-
3 Section 10. (a) For the purpose of this section, the following terms shall, unless the
4context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
5 “Low-income seniors”, individuals aged 65 or older whose household income does not
6exceed 200 per cent of the federal poverty level.
7 “Senior living facilities”, residential facilities primarily serving seniors, including
8assisted living communities and nursing homes.
9 “The office”, the executive office of housing and livable communities.
10 “The program”, the low-income senior internet subsidy program. 2 of 2
11 “Wi-Fi hotspot”, wireless internet access points enabling residents to connect to the
12internet.
13 (b) The department shall establish and administer the low-income senior internet subsidy
14program that shall provide financial assistance to eligible seniors for internet services. The
15department shall: (i) offer monthly subsidies of up to $50 to offset the cost of home internet
16services; and (ii) partner with internet service providers to offer discounted plans tailored to low-
17income seniors.
18 (c) Subject to appropriation, the office shall allocate grants to senior living facilities for
19the installation and maintenance of free public Wi-Fi hotspots. Grants shall prioritize funding
20for: (i) facilities serving communities with limited digital infrastructure; or (ii) high
21concentrations of low-income residents.
22 (d) The department shall collect public feedback from senior living facilities and low-
23income seniors to: (i) better implement the program; (ii) ensure program efficacy; and (iii)
24address further needs from the community.
25 (e) The department shall prepare an annual report that includes, but is not limited to: (i)
26details on the program’s implementation; (ii) the number of seniors served by the program; (iii)
27the number of facilities supported by the program; (iv) funding requested for the next fiscal year;
28(v) the overall impact of the program; and (vi) the department’s collected public feedback
29pursuant to subsection (d). The department shall submit the annual report to the governor, the
30chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, the chairs of the joint
31committee on elder affairs and the offices of the house and senate clerk.
32 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect 1 year after its passage.