1. It is declared that many persons who are elderly or who have a disability reside in the State whose annual net income from all sources is less than the amount necessary to enable them to maintain decent living conditions and whose income is fixed in whole or in part so as to be not adjusted to increases in the cost of living; that the provision of the service of public utilities, and cable television, at rates reduced or discounted from inflationary levels is a necessity of life for these persons because cable television is a principal source of recreation and entertainment for persons who are elderly or have an infirmity; that a public exigency exists which makes the provision of reduced or discounted rate services to qualified persons who are elderly or who have a disability by cable television companies a public necessity; and that the provision of reduced rates will promote their health and welfare, thereby prolonging their productivity in the interest of the State and nation, and therefore constitutes and is declared to be a public purpose necessary for the preservation of the public convenience.

L.1985, c.356, s.1; amended 1988, c.81, s.1; 2017, c.131, s.186.