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.