HR8145Referred to Committee

Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act

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Introduced
In Committee
3
Passed One Chamber
4
Passed Both
5
Signed into Law
119th
Congress
2026-03-27
Introduced
3
Cosponsors
HR
Type

Sponsor

April McClain Delaney
April McClain Delaney
Democrat · MD · Representative
Votes with party: 96.3% (590 recorded votes)

Full profile: /officials/M001232

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

Latest Action

The most recent step in the bill's legislative path. Committee Activity below shows referrals and reports; the full action-by-action history including floor proceedings lives at Congress.gov →

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

2026-03-27

Source: Congress.gov

Committee Activity

Currently in

Previously

Plain-English Summary

This bill would expand access to remote learning and remote medical care, particularly in rural and underserved areas where internet connectivity or healthcare facilities are limited. It likely aims to improve broadband infrastructure, support telehealth services, and enable students and patients to access education and medical care from a distance. The measure would affect rural communities, students, patients, healthcare providers, and telecommunications companies.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

Subjects

Science, Technology, Communications

Full Bill Text

Verbatim text published on Congress.gov via GovInfo. Use Cmd+F / Ctrl+F to search within this excerpt.

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

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