The FCC has set a comment schedule for its proposal covering children’s online safety and E-rate program integrity. Comments are due October 13, 2026, and reply comments are due November 12, 2026.
The FCC released the full proposal, a combined Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, on June 26, 2026. The notice asks for input on measures the FCC could take to help parents, guardians, and teachers protect children using E-rate funded networks and services. A separate part of the notice asks about steps to strengthen E-rate program integrity and simplify program administration. These are proposals and questions, not adopted rules. Nothing about how schools and libraries participate in the E-rate program changes today. See our earlier article, Full E-rate Review Text Has Been Released, for more background.
These deadlines were set when the notice was published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2026. That publication, not the FCC’s June vote, is what makes the deadlines official. The proceeding covers WC Docket Nos. 26-133, 13-184, 21-93, and 21-455.
Your funding is not affected, but the window to weigh in is open
Nothing changes today. Schools, libraries, consortia, service providers, and other E-rate stakeholders do not need to take any action to keep their E-rate funding in place. But this is your chance to weigh in before the FCC decides whether, and how, to move forward with any of the proposals. You see every day what E-rate makes possible, and that perspective belongs in the record. If you have a view, file comments or reply comments through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). We will continue to track this proceeding and share updates as it moves forward.
About the Author: Verlyne Jolley is a Director at Funds For Learning with more than 20 years of experience helping schools and libraries navigate the E-rate program. Her work focuses on regulatory compliance, program administration, and helping applicants understand and adapt to evolving FCC and USAC requirements.
