7 USC 950aaa-2 - Telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas

U.S Code last checked for updates: Jan 18, 2025

§ 950aaa–2.

Telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas

(a)

Services to rural areas

(b)

Financial assistance

(1)

In general

(2)

Form

(c)

Recipients

(1)

In general

The Secretary may provide financial assistance under this chapter to—

(A)

entities using telemedicine services or distance learning services;

(B)

entities providing or proposing to provide telemedicine service or distance learning service to other persons at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial assistance is passed through to the other persons; 1

 So in original. Probably should be followed by “and”.

(C)

libraries.

(2)

Electric or telecommunications borrowers

(A)

Loans to borrowers

Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may provide a cost of money loan under this chapter to a borrower of an electric or telecommunications loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.). A borrower receiving a cost of money loan under this paragraph shall—

(i)

make the funds provided available to entities that qualify under paragraph (1) for projects satisfying the requirements of this chapter;

(ii)

use the funds provided to acquire, install, improve, or extend a system referred to in subsection (a); or

(iii)

use the funds provided to install, improve, or extend a facility referred to in subsection (a).

(B)

Limitations

A borrower of an electric or telecommunications loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 [7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.] shall—

(i)

make a system or facility funded under subparagraph (A) available to entities that qualify under paragraph (1); and

(ii)

neither retain from the proceeds of a loan provided under subparagraph (A), nor assess a qualifying entity under paragraph (1), any amount except as may be required to pay the actual costs incurred in administering the loan or making the system or facility available.

(3)

Appeal

(4)

Assistance to provide or improve services

(d)

Priority

The Secretary shall establish procedures to prioritize financial assistance under this chapter considering—

(1)

the need for the assistance in the affected rural area;

(2)

the financial need of the applicant;

(3)

the population sparsity of the affected rural area;

(4)

the local involvement in the project serving the affected rural area;

(5)

geographic diversity among the recipients of financial assistance;

(6)

the utilization of the telecommunications facilities of any telecommunications provider serving the affected rural area;

(7)

the portion of total project financing provided by the applicant from the funds of the applicant;

(8)

the portion of project financing provided by the applicant with funds obtained from non-Federal sources;

(9)

the joint utilization of facilities financed by other financial assistance;

(10)

the coordination of the proposed project with regional projects or networks;

(11)

service to the greatest practical number of persons within the general geographic area covered by the financial assistance;

(12)

conformity with the State strategic plan as prepared under section 2009c of this title; and

(13)

other factors determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(e)

Maximum amount of assistance to individual recipients

(f)

Use of funds

Financial assistance provided under this chapter shall be used for—

(1)

the development and acquisition of instructional programming;

(2)

the development and acquisition, through lease or purchase, of computer hardware and software, audio and visual equipment, computer network components, telecommunications terminal equipment, telecommunications transmission facilities, data terminal equipment, or interactive video equipment, or other facilities that would further telemedicine services or distance learning services;

(3)

providing technical assistance and instruction for the development or use of the programming, equipment, or facilities referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2); or

(4)

other uses that are consistent with this chapter, as determined by the Secretary.

(g)

Salaries and expenses

(h)

Expediting coordinated telephone loans

(1)

In general

(2)

Deadline imposed on Secretary

(i)

Notification of local exchange carrier

(1)

Applicants

(2)

Secretary

The Secretary shall—

(A)

publish notice of applications received for grants under this chapter for telemedicine or distance learning projects; and

(B)

make the applications available for inspection.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2333, as added Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 704, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1109; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title VI, § 6201(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1205; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VI, § 6201(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1967.)

cite as: 7 USC 950aaa-2