Sec. 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.