Rep Schneider Reintroduces Legislation to Make Online Resources Available to LGBTQ Students

Rep Brad Schneider (D-IL) re-introduced legislation to ensure critical online LGBTQ resources are not blocked at schools and public libraries. Currently, public schools and libraries that receive discounted telecommunications and internet rates through the Federal Communication Commission E-Rate Program must enforce an internet safety policy that in some cases leads to the blocking of useful LGBTQ resources. The “Don’t Block LGBTQ Act of 2022” (H.R.8249) would clarify that schools and public libraries that block LGBTQ resources would lose access to discounted rates under the E-rate program. This bill does not prevent schools and libraries from blocking indecent and other explicit content that could be harmful to minors, as current law intends. Schneider previously introduced the bill in the 116th and 115th Congresses.