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Bill
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Don’t Block LGBTQ Act of 2017

H.R. 4098 · 115th Congress · Oct 23, 2017 · Lineage

A BILL

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit schools and libraries that receive universal service support from blocking Internet access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Don’t Block LGBTQ Act of 2017”.

Sec. 2 Access to LGBTQ resources under universal service schools and libraries program

(a)
In general— Section 254(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8);
(2)
by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:

“(7) Access to LGBTQ resources—Notwithstanding subsection (l)(2), an elementary school, secondary school, or library may not receive services at discount rates under paragraph (1)(B) if such school or library (under an internet safety policy with respect to which certification is required under this subsection or otherwise) blocks internet access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources.”

(3)
in paragraph (8) (as redesignated), by adding at the end the following:

“(J) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources—The term “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources” means information that is related to homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender identity, transgender status, gender nonconformity, gender expansive, gender identity, sexual orientation, or related topics, except that such term does not include a visual depiction described in paragraph (5)(B)(i) or (6)(B)(i).”

(b)
Conforming amendments to Communications Act of 1934—
(1)
Section 254— Section 254(h)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)(4)) is amended by striking “paragraph (7)(A)” and inserting “paragraph (8)(A)”.
(2)
Section 271— Section 271(g)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 271(g)(2)) is amended by striking “section 254(h)(5)” and inserting “section 254(h)(8)”.