Substitute Senate Bill No. 514 establishes the "Net Equality Program" in Connecticut to provide affordable broadband Internet access to eligible households receiving certain government assistance. The bill defines key terms and mandates the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) to oversee the program, which includes a maximum monthly charge of $40 for broadband services and minimum speed requirements of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. The OCC is responsible for monitoring progress, aiming for at least 90% access for eligible households by January 1, 2026, and 95% by January 1, 2029. Additionally, broadband providers must maintain a dedicated contact number for sign-ups and conduct annual public meetings to discuss outreach efforts.

The bill also includes provisions that prohibit state agencies from contracting with broadband providers that do not offer affordable services to eligible households, effective October 1, 2025. It allows for biennial adjustments to minimum speed requirements and mandates outreach through multilingual advertising. Legal language changes include the insertion of new provisions related to the Net Equality Program and the deletion of conflicting language to ensure clarity. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with specific deadlines for implementation and compliance.