Digital divide: distance learning: California Research Bureau: communications technology grant program.

Existing law establishes the California State Library, which includes the California Research Bureau, as a division within the State Department of Education. This bill would require the California Research Bureau to conduct research on ways to close the digital divide through policies, including, but not limited to, tax policies, that reduce the upfront costs of devices and communications technology purchased by local educational agencies to provide students with equitable access to distance learning. Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state and authorizes local educational agencies throughout the state to operate schools and provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Existing law also establishes the State Department of Education in state government, and vests the department with specified powers and duties relating to the state's public school system. This bill would establish the Bridging the Digital Divide Grant Program under the administration of the State Department of Education for purposes of reducing the gap in access to distance learning due to the COVID-19 statewide shelter-in-place order that has resulted in the closures of public schools and led to the institution of distance learning programs. The bill would, subject to an appropriation for its purposes, provide grant funds to school districts, county office of educations, and charter schools to purchase computers, tablets, computing devices, routers, hardware, software, and other equipment primarily purchased to provide low-income or otherwise disadvantaged students with access to distance learning using communications technology, as provided.