| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to providing discounted computers to low- |
| 3 | income students; creating a program for this purpose; |
| 4 | providing eligibility requirements for receiving a |
| 5 | discounted price on a computer; requiring the Department |
| 6 | of Education to negotiate terms with a computer |
| 7 | manufacturer; requiring the department to adopt rules, |
| 8 | including rules relating to providing technical training |
| 9 | to the students; providing an effective date. |
| 10 |
|
| 11 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 12 |
|
| 13 | Section 1. Program to provide discounted computers to low- |
| 14 | income students.-- |
| 15 | (1) There is created a program to provide qualifying low- |
| 16 | income students with computers at a discounted price. |
| 17 | (2) A student who attends a public school in this state, |
| 18 | who is in a grade level from grade 5 through grade 12, and who |
| 19 | is currently on the free lunch program is eligible to receive a |
| 20 | computer at a discounted price. |
| 21 | (3) The Department of Education shall negotiate with a |
| 22 | computer manufacturer concerning: |
| 23 | (a) The price of a discounted computer and whether |
| 24 | computer accessories such as a printer or scanner will be |
| 25 | offered to the students at reduced prices. |
| 26 | (b) A specialized software package, including, but not |
| 27 | limited to: |
| 28 | 1. A word processor; |
| 29 | 2. Internet access; and |
| 30 | 3. An operating system. |
| 31 | (c) The type of warranty that is to be provided to the |
| 32 | students and whether an extended warranty will be available to |
| 33 | the students and under what terms. |
| 34 | (4) The Department of Education shall adopt rules |
| 35 | concerning: |
| 36 | (a) How to integrate into this program the provision of |
| 37 | computer or technical training to students in their respective |
| 38 | school districts. |
| 39 | (b) The distribution of eligibility-verification |
| 40 | certificates to the students, the locations at which discounted |
| 41 | computers are available, and how to obtain and pay for the |
| 42 | equipment covered by this program. |
| 43 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2005. |