§ 6777. Internet safety
(a)
In general
No funds made available under this part to a local educational agency for an elementary school or secondary school that does not receive services at discount rates under section
254
(h)(5) of title
47 may be used to purchase computers used to access the Internet, or to pay for direct costs associated with accessing the Internet, for such school unless the school, school board, local educational agency, or other authority with responsibility for administration of such school both—
(1)
(b)
Timing and applicability of implementation
(1)
In general
The local educational agency with responsibility for a school covered by subsection (a) of this section shall certify the compliance of such school with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section as part of the application process for the next program funding year under this chapter following December 21, 2000, and for each subsequent program funding year thereafter.
(2)
Process
(A)
Schools with Internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place
A local educational agency with responsibility for a school covered by subsection (a) of this section that has in place an Internet safety policy meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall certify its compliance with subsection (a) of this section during each annual program application cycle under this chapter.
(B)
Schools without Internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place
(i)
Certification
A local educational agency with responsibility for a school covered by subsection (a) of this section that does not have in place an Internet safety policy meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of this section—
(I)
for the first program year after December 21, 2000, in which the local educational agency is applying for funds for such school under this chapter, shall certify that it is undertaking such actions, including any necessary procurement procedures, to put in place an Internet safety policy that meets such requirements; and
(ii)
Ineligibility
Any school covered by subsection (a) of this section for which the local educational agency concerned is unable to certify compliance with such requirements in such second program year shall be ineligible for all funding under this part for such second program year and all subsequent program years until such time as such school comes into compliance with such requirements.
(C)
Waivers
Any school subject to a certification under subparagraph (B)(i)(II) for which the local educational agency concerned cannot make the certification otherwise required by that subparagraph may seek a waiver of that subparagraph if State or local procurement rules or regulations or competitive bidding requirements prevent the making of the certification otherwise required by that subparagraph. The local educational agency concerned shall notify the Secretary of the applicability of that subparagraph to the school. Such notice shall certify that the school will be brought into compliance with the requirements in subsection (a) of this section before the start of the third program year after December 21, 2000, in which the school is applying for funds under this part.
(c)
Disabling during certain use
An administrator, supervisor, or person authorized by the responsible authority under subsection (a) of this section may disable the technology protection measure concerned to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
(d)
Noncompliance
(1)
Use of General Education Provisions Act remedies
Whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any recipient of funds under this part is failing to comply substantially with the requirements of this section, the Secretary may—
(2)
Recovery of funds prohibited
The actions authorized by paragraph (1) are the exclusive remedies available with respect to the failure of a school to comply substantially with a provision of this section, and the Secretary shall not seek a recovery of funds from the recipient for such failure.
(3)
Recommencement of payments
Whenever the Secretary determines (whether by certification or other appropriate evidence) that a recipient of funds who is subject to the withholding of payments under paragraph (1)(A) has cured the failure providing the basis for the withholding of payments, the Secretary shall cease the withholding of payments to the recipient under that paragraph.
(e)
Definitions
In this subpart:
(1)
Computer
The term “computer” includes any hardware, software, or other technology attached or connected to, installed in, or otherwise used in connection with a computer.
(2)
Access to Internet
A computer shall be considered to have access to the Internet if such computer is equipped with a modem or is connected to a computer network that has access to the Internet.
(3)
Acquisition or operation
An elementary school or secondary school shall be considered to have received funds under this part for the acquisition or operation of any computer if such funds are used in any manner, directly or indirectly—
(6)
Harmful to minors
The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that—
(A)
taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
(f)
Severability
If any provision of this section is held invalid, the remainder of this section shall not be affected thereby.
[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by “the”.