An Act establishing free broadband internet access in public housing

This bill requires public housing authorities in Massachusetts to provide free broadband internet access to all residents as a condition for a dwelling to be considered decent, safe, and sanitary. It achieves this by amending state housing laws to mandate no-charge internet and explicitly excluding broadband from being classified as a utility for regulatory purposes. The legislation also directs the Department of Public Health to study the relationship between internet access and public health outcomes, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by lack of connectivity. To support this initiative, the bill authorizes the General Court to appropriate funds for subsidizing the implementation and maintenance of these internet services.