Sen. Christopher A. Coons

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to partner with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals to review U.S. domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. It requires assessing current capabilities and their adaptability to public health threats, then drafting recommendations for new manufacturing technologies to address gaps. The review will also identify opportunities to align federal technology with private-sector advances through BARDA's BioMAP initiative and improve overall public health preparedness. The bill does not create new regulations but establishes a process for evaluating and strengthening the nation's biopharmaceutical manufacturing foundation.

Maddy summaryThe BUILD for Veterans Act of 2023 aims to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs manages its physical infrastructure, including buildings, land, and related assets used to deliver health care and services to veterans. Key provisions require the VA to establish dedicated staffing for capital asset management at medical centers, develop performance metrics to track progress, and create a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan addressing staffing, budgeting, and planning needs. The bill also mandates climate resilience reviews for VA facilities, centralized management of asset disposal and reuse, and regular reports to Congress on capital asset projects, funding requirements, and performance metrics. These changes directly affect VA's operations across all medical centers, facilities, and infrastructure assets under its jurisdiction, aiming to make capital asset management more efficient and responsive to veterans' needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member commission to study the history of slavery in the U.S. and its ongoing effects on African Americans. The commission will examine slavery from 1619 to 1865, post-emancipation discrimination (including Jim Crow, redlining, and educational inequity), and current disparities in wealth, incarceration, and health. It will compile evidence and recommend potential remedies to Congress, including educational initiatives and frameworks for compensation, but does not authorize any reparations payments. The commission must submit its findings within one year of its first meeting.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of most semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns meeting specific criteria defined as "assault weapons," as well as large capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The ban would not apply to weapons already owned before enactment, or to certain types like bolt-action rifles, antique firearms, or weapons used by law enforcement. The bill would require identification markings on new assault weapons and magazines, require background checks for transfers of "grandfathered" weapons, and authorize federal buy-back programs for banned weapons through Byrne grants. It includes exemptions for military, law enforcement, and certain historical firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age to purchase or possess certain firearms and large-capacity magazines from 18 to 21 years old. It specifically prohibits sales or transfers of "semiautomatic assault weapons" (including defined rifles, pistols, and shotguns with features like detachable magazines or specific attachments) and large-capacity magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) to anyone under 21. The bill directly affects individuals under 21 who would be barred from purchasing these items from licensed dealers. Limited exceptions exist for hunting, farming, military service, or self-defense, but the core change is a nationwide age restriction on these specific firearm types.

Respect for Child Survivors Act This act requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to use a multidisciplinary team with investigations of child abuse and related crimes. The act also reauthorizes grants for children's advocacy centers (CACs). CACs use a multidisciplinary response to coordinate the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases. (Sec. 2) This section requires the FBI to use a multidisciplinary team with any investigation of child sexual exploitation or abuse, the production of child sexual abuse material, or child trafficking. The FBI must also use a trained child adolescent forensic interviewer in these investigations. These requirements do not apply if a multidisciplinary team or an interviewer is unavailable or is otherwise inconsistent with applicable federal law. In implementing these requirements, the FBI must use and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams based at CACs. (Sec. 3) This section modifies and reauthorizes through FY2028 grants for regional and local CACs, as well as for technical assistance and training. Grants for CACs are administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) within the Department of Justice. It adds a finding stating that a key to a child victim healing from abuse is access to supportive and healthy families and communities. The section modifies grant provisions for regional CACs, including by directing the OJJDP to maintain (in addition to establish) regional CACs; adding, as a new program objective, the provision of technical assistance, training, coordination, and organizational capacity support for state chapters; and requiring the OJJDP to consider, as an additional selection criteria, proposals for regional CACs that best result in supporting state chapters. The section also modifies grant provisions for local CACs, including by adding as new grant purposes (1) the establishment and maintenance of a network of care for child abuse victims, and (2) the development and dissemination of practice standards for care and best practices in program evaluation. Finally, the section modifies the criteria that the OJJDP may use to evaluate local CAC programs.

Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act This act broadens the scope of individuals who are subject to federal prosecution for war crime offenses. Currently, the federal war crimes statute provides federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere (i.e., inside or outside the United States) if the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces or a U.S. national. First, this act extends federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses committed anywhere to offenses where (1) the victim or offender is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or (2) the offender is present in the United States, regardless of the nationality of the victim or the offender. Second, the act expands federal jurisdiction over war crime offenses to include offenses that occur in whole or in part within the United States, regardless of whether the victim or offender is a member of the Armed Forces, a U.S. national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The act allows an indictment for certain war crime offenses to be instituted any time, making the statute of limitations inapplicable. To undertake a prosecution for war crime offenses, the act requires written certification that prosecution is in the public interest and is necessary to secure substantial justice. The certification is not subject to judicial review.

Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022 This act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure that rates and charges for payphone services or other calling devices, including advanced (e.g., audio or video) communications services in correctional institutions, are just and reasonable. When promulgating regulations or otherwise implementing this act, the FCC (1) may use industry-wide average costs related to providing telephone and advanced communications services, and (2) must consider costs for safety and security measures related to providing communications services in correctional facilities.

Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This act provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. After it is awarded, the medal shall be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022 This act directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop scenario-based training curricula (or identify existing curricula) that includes topics such as alternatives to the use of force, de-escalation tactics, and safely responding to an individual experiencing a mental, behavioral health, or suicidal crisis. The act also directs DOJ to make grants to states for costs associated with providing the training to law enforcement officers or mental health professionals.