H.R. 8145

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8145 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8145

To amend the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program to 
expand eligibility for financial assistance to include the construction 
and enhancement of facilities and technological systems aimed at 
delivering telemedicine services, strengthening cybersecurity 
infrastructure, and supporting distance learning initiatives, including 
digital literacy, workforce development, and job training, in rural 
communities.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2026

Mrs. McClain Delaney (for herself and Mr. Bresnahan) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program to 
expand eligibility for financial assistance to include the construction 
and enhancement of facilities and technological systems aimed at 
delivering telemedicine services, strengthening cybersecurity 
infrastructure, and supporting distance learning initiatives, including 
digital literacy, workforce development, and job training, in rural 
communities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Access to Distance 
Learning and Telemedicine Act''.

SEC. 2. TELEMEDICINE, DISTANCE LEARNING, AND CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT 
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS.

(a) In General.--Section 2333 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-2) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``telemedicine and 
distance learning'' and inserting ``telemedicine, distance 
learning, and cybersecurity support'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``, cybersecurity support,'' 
before ``and distance''; and
(B) by inserting ``including digital literacy, 
workforce development, and job training'' before ``in 
rural'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by inserting ``, cybersecurity 
support,'' before ``or distance''; and
(II) by inserting ``, including 
digital literacy, workforce 
development, and job training'' before 
the semicolon; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``to 
provide telemedicine service or distance 
learning service'' and inserting ``services 
described in subparagraph (A)''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or distance 
learning'' and inserting ``, cybersecurity support, or 
distance learning, digital literacy, or workforce 
development and job training'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (12), by striking ``and'' at the 
end;
(B) in paragraph (13), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(14) the need for distance workforce development and job 
training, including a workforce that supports the building of 
broadband in rural areas.''; and
(5) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or distance 
learning'' and inserting ``distance learning, digital 
literacy, or cybersecurity'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by inserting ``, cybersecurity 
support,'' after ``assistance''; and
(ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and 
inserting ``; or''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) providing distance workforce development and job 
training, including a workforce that supports the building of 
broadband in rural areas.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
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