Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8145
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T08:06:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act (H.R. 8145)
Purpose
This bill aims to broaden the existing Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program—run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—to provide funding for improving rural access to telemedicine (remote healthcare), distance learning (remote education), cybersecurity protections, digital literacy, workforce development, and job training programs.
Key Provisions
- Expanded Grant Eligibility: Funds can now support building or upgrading facilities and tech systems for:
- Delivering telemedicine services.
- Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure.
- Distance learning, including digital literacy (basic tech skills), workforce development (skill-building for employment), and job training.
- Updated Priorities for Funding: Grant decisions must now consider the need for workforce development and job training, especially programs that train workers to build broadband networks in rural areas.
- Allowable Uses of Funds: Grants can cover cybersecurity support services and distance-based job training for broadband infrastructure.
- Effective Date: Changes take effect 6 months after the bill becomes law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill amends Section 2333 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-2):
- Adds "cybersecurity support" to the program's name, purpose, eligibility criteria, and allowable uses.
- Expands "distance learning" to explicitly include digital literacy, workforce development, and job training.
- Adds a new funding priority for rural broadband workforce training.
- These are mostly wording updates and insertions to incorporate the new areas without altering the program's core structure.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: USDA's Rural Utilities Service (which administers the program) will handle more grant applications and distribute funds for broader purposes, potentially increasing administrative workload but enhancing rural tech infrastructure.
- Citizens: Rural residents gain better access to remote healthcare, online education, cyber protections against hacks, and job skills training—helping bridge the "digital divide" and support economic growth.
- No Direct International Relations Impact: Focus is domestic, on U.S. rural areas.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural Communities: Primary beneficiaries through improved services.
- Healthcare Providers: Telemedicine expansion aids remote patient care.
- Educational Institutions and Trainers: Funding for distance learning and job programs.
- Telecom and Tech Firms: Support for cybersecurity and broadband workforce.
- USDA Rural Utilities Service: Implements and oversees expanded grants.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward amendment to an existing grant program; no new authorities or spending created—relies on current appropriations.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; uses Congress's spending power for rural development.
- Political: Promotes rural investment in tech and health, potentially appealing across party lines by addressing broadband, jobs, and security gaps; introduced by bipartisan sponsors.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act — issued 2026-03-27 — PDF (4 pages)