Part I

Requires the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction to collaborate with the Friday Institute at North Carolina State University to expand the School Connectivity Initiative to improve student access to broadband Internet outside of the classroom by providing home mobile Internet access points to all students in public schools who are eligible for federally subsidized free or reduced-cost school meals. Requires, to the extent permitted by law, leveraging any funds made available for community and home mobile Internet access points for students in public schools, including the specified funding, to achieve these purposes. Requires the State Board of Education to include the following in its January 15, 2021, report: (1) recommendations for ensuring that all students have access to broadband Internet inside and outside the classroom and (2) results from the authorized expansion and recommendations for future programs related to improved student access to broadband Internet services.

Part II

Appropriates $176 million in nonrecurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to expand the School Connectivity Initiative to provide home mobile Internet access points for students as provided for in this act.

Part III

Reenacts and incorporates by reference the State Budget Act, GS Chapter 143C.

Provides for the continued validity of 2019 legislation appropriating funds to an agency covered by the act unless expressly repealed or amended. 

Deems the act to supersede any conflicting provision of HB 966 (2019 Appropriations Act) or the specified Committee Report.

Part IV

Effective July 1, 2020.