FCC called Tues. for public input on how to implement new law tha...

law Dec. 21, prohibits libraries and schools from receiving discounted Internet access, Internet services and internal connection services under Sec. 254 of Communications Act unless they put Internet safety policies in place and certify that they have done so. In its Jan. 23 rulemaking (NPRM), FCC said it sought comments on several issues, including: (1) Whether agency’s conclusion that most efficient way of obtaining required certification would be to modify existing FCC form to include statement that recipient was in compliance with CHIP or that it didn’t apply. (2) Whether FCC Form 486 should be used for CHIP certification. (3) Who should make certifications. (4) When schools and libraries must certify they're in compliance. (5) Whether rules are needed to implement provisions of law that set out procedures for remedying noncompliance. CHIP has been fiercely opposed by industry and civil liberty groups as well as Clinton Administration. Comments are due 15 days after publication in Federal Register -- www.fcc..gov/e-file/ecfs.html. American Library Assn. (ALA) criticized short comment period. “It’s a very complicated issue” and the FCC has allowed only 15 days to comment, ALA Washington Office Exec. Dir. Emily Sheketoff said. Moreover, she said, schools and libraries were required to submit their applications for e-rate discount by Jan. 18. However, their spending plans had to be submitted before law was passed. Those whose plans are approved for funding in June now will have to go back and certify something that wasn’t called for in plan, Sheketoff said: “It’s a basic unfairness you don’t expect from the federal govt.”