Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-330h: Net Equality Program.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Affordable broadband Internet access service” means broadband Internet access service that (A) costs not more than the amount established in subsection (g) of this section, and (B) meets the minimum speed requirements set forth in subsection (h) of this section;

(2) “Broadband Internet access service” has the same meaning as provided in section 16-330a;

(3) “Broadband Internet access service provider” has the same meaning as provided in section 16-330a;

(4) “Eligible household” means a household (A) in which at least one resident is an eligible individual, and (B) that is located within a qualified broadband Internet access service provider's service territory in this state;

(5) “Eligible individual” means an individual who is enrolled in a qualified public assistance program;

(6) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate trust, partnership, association, joint venture or any other legal or commercial entity;

(7) “Qualified broadband Internet access service provider” means a broadband Internet access service provider that is doing business in this state and with any state agency, including, but not limited to, through a procurement contract;

(8) “Qualified public assistance program” means (A) the supplemental nutrition assistance program administered by the Department of Social Services pursuant to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended from time to time, and (B) any public assistance program recognized by a qualified broadband Internet access service provider for the purpose of determining eligibility for the qualified broadband Internet access service provider's existing low-income broadband Internet access service program; and

(9) “State agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-79, but does not include the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

(b) Not later than September 30, 2026, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall, for the purposes set forth in this section, develop, establish and administer a program that shall be known as the “Net Equality Program”.

(c) As part of the program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and beginning on October 1, 2026, each qualified broadband Internet access service provider shall allow any individual who resides in an eligible household that is located within such qualified broadband Internet access service provider's service territory in this state to submit to such qualified broadband Internet access service provider a request to subscribe to affordable broadband Internet access service provided by such qualified broadband Internet access service provider.

(d) On and after October 1, 2026, each qualified broadband Internet access service provider shall make a commercially reasonable effort to raise public awareness regarding the availability of the affordable broadband Internet access service such qualified broadband Internet access service provider offers to eligible households located within such qualified broadband Internet access service provider's service territory in this state. Such effort shall include, but need not be limited to, posting the enrollment procedures for such qualified broadband Internet access service in a prominent and publicly accessible location on such qualified broadband Internet access service provider's Internet web site.

(e) Not later than February 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, each qualified broadband Internet access service provider shall submit to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, a report disclosing:

(1) The number of eligible households that signed up for affordable broadband Internet access service provided by such qualified broadband Internet access service provider during the year that is the subject of the report; and

(2) The total number of eligible households that received affordable broadband Internet access service provided by such qualified broadband Internet access service provider during the year that is the subject of such report.

(f) As part of the program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall explore options to establish and advance strategic and effective public-private partnerships.

(g) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the monthly cost, including all taxes, charges and fees, charged by a qualified broadband Internet access service provider to an eligible household for affordable broadband Internet access service provided pursuant to this section, including all equipment associated with such affordable broadband Internet access service, shall not exceed forty dollars.

(2) Not later than June 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall adjust the maximum monthly cost that a qualified broadband Internet access service provider may charge to an eligible household for affordable broadband Internet access service provided pursuant to this section during the twelve-month period beginning on July first of the same calendar year in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year, as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

(h) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, all affordable broadband Internet access service provided pursuant to this section shall:

(A) During the period beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027, provide speeds that are at least as fast as (i) one hundred megabits per second downstream, and (ii) five megabits per second upstream;

(B) On and after October 1, 2027, provide speeds that are at least as fast as (i) one hundred megabits per second downstream, and (ii) twenty megabits per second upstream; and

(C) Speeds and latencies that are sufficient to support distance learning and telehealth services.

(2) Beginning on June 1, 2030, and not more frequently than biennially thereafter, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may, in consultation with the department's Bureau of Energy and Technology and the Commission for Educational Technology, increase the minimum speeds set forth in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for the two-year period beginning on July first of the same calendar year. The department, bureau and commission shall post such increased speeds on the department's, bureau's and commission's Internet web sites.

(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may authorize or require a deviation from the requirements established in this subsection for the purpose of complying with applicable state law, federal law or elements of the department's federally subsidized broadband programs that are included in federal applications, made public or negotiated with bidders on or before June 30, 2025.

(B) The department shall not authorize or require any deviation from the requirements established in this subsection to allow any affordable broadband Internet access service provided pursuant to this section to provide speeds that are slower than the speeds set forth in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection or established by the department, in consultation with the department's Bureau of Energy and Technology and the Commission for Educational Technology, pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, whichever speeds are faster.

(i) Beginning on January 31, 2027, any state agency proposing to enter into a contract for the purchase of broadband Internet access service shall, all other factors being equal, give preference to a qualified broadband Internet access service provider that offers affordable broadband Internet access service to eligible households pursuant to this section.

(j) The provisions of subsections (a) to (i), inclusive, of this section shall not be construed to impair any contract that is in existence on October 1, 2026.

(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no violation of this section shall be deemed an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of any trade or commerce pursuant to subsection (a) of section 42-110b.