§  76.983   Discrimination.

   (a) No Federal agency, state, or local franchising authority may
   prohibit a cable operator from offering reasonable discounts to senior
   citizens or to economically disadvantaged groups.

   (1) Such discounts must be offered equally to all subscribers in the
   franchise area who qualify as members of these categories, or any
   reasonable subcategory thereof.

   (2) For purposes of this section, members of economically disadvantaged
   groups are those individuals who receive federal, state or local
   welfare assistance.

   (b) Nothing herein shall preclude any Federal agency, state, or local
   franchising authority from requiring and regulating the reception of
   cable service by hearing impaired individuals.