Maddy summaryThe Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 1418) strengthens privacy protections for children under 13 and teens aged 12-17 online. It requires websites, apps, and connected devices that target children or teens, or are reasonably likely to be used by them, to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children and from teens themselves for those aged 12-17 before collecting personal information. The bill prohibits targeted marketing to children and teens, establishes a "Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens," and creates a Youth Privacy and Marketing Division within the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these rules. It also sets out specific Fair Information Practices Principles requiring transparency, data accuracy, security, and proper data disposal for children's and teens' personal information.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms and other online services used by minors to implement safety features protecting children under 17. It mandates default privacy controls, limits addictive features like automatic media playback, restricts advertising of harmful products (tobacco, gambling, alcohol) to minors, and requires annual transparency reports about online risks. Platforms with over 10 million monthly U.S. users must provide parental tools, conduct independent audits, and make de-identified data available for research on online harms. The bill focuses on preventing mental health disorders, bullying, sexual exploitation, and addictive behaviors through platform design changes.
Maddy summaryThe TORNADO Act (S 1284) establishes a new hazard risk communication office within NOAA to improve how the public receives and understands warnings for severe weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and flash floods. It requires simplifying warning terminology, developing communication methods based on social science research, and creating a pilot program specifically for tornado warnings. The bill also mandates improved post-storm assessments, updates to tornado rating systems, and prioritizes research funding for minority-serving institutions to study tornado forecasting and communication. These changes aim to make weather warnings clearer, more actionable, and better tailored to vulnerable populations, with the goal of saving lives and reducing property damage.
Maddy summaryThe Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2023 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to disclose pricing information and prohibits them from keeping profit margins between what they charge health plans and what they pay pharmacies. It mandates annual reporting to the Federal Trade Commission about pricing differences, rebates, and formulary changes, and prohibits PBMs from arbitrarily reducing pharmacy reimbursements or increasing fees. The law affects PBMs, health plans, pharmacies, and drug manufacturers by requiring full transparency in drug pricing practices. It includes whistleblower protections for employees who report violations and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the FTC. This legislation aims to increase clarity in the prescription drug pricing system and reduce hidden costs for consumers and healthcare providers.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to publish a detailed report on the U.S. fertilizer industry within one year of enactment. The report must cover market size trends over 25 years, import data (including sources and companies), pricing patterns, supply chain issues, industry concentration, emerging fertilizer technologies, regulatory impacts, and transparency needs for public price reporting. The bill directly affects the USDA, which must compile this data, and indirectly affects fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural producers by mandating greater industry transparency. It does not change existing regulations or prices but requires a comprehensive analysis to inform future policy discussions.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides retroactive pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 and above) whose promotions were delayed due to a suspension of Senate confirmation hearings starting in February 2023. It specifically applies to officers confirmed to their ranks between December 5 and December 31, 2023. The Secretary of Defense must pay retroactive compensation starting 30 days after the appointment was placed on the Senate Executive Calendar, use that date for seniority calculations, and waive any negative impacts from the confirmation delay. This addresses a specific backlog of promotions affected by the Senate's temporary suspension of its advice-and-consent process.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires foreign missions from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to notify the U.S. State Department 72 hours in advance of meetings with U.S. state or local officials or visits to educational/research institutions. The notification must include the date, location, participants, and purpose of each meeting or visit. The State Department must submit monthly reports to Congress listing all such notified meetings. A joint threat assessment report on these countries is required within 4.5 years, but the bill’s core requirement is a transparency measure for foreign diplomatic engagements.
Maddy summaryThe DETERRENT Act requires colleges and universities to disclose foreign gifts and contracts worth $50,000 or more, including details about the foreign source, purpose, and value, with a public database for transparency. It establishes a waiver process for institutions seeking to contract with "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern" while imposing fines up to 100-200% of investment value for non-compliance. The law primarily affects institutions receiving federal funds, particularly those with significant research funding, and mandates policies for faculty and staff regarding foreign gifts. It also requires interagency sharing of information with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to address potential national security concerns.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 471) expresses formal support for National Adoption Day (observed November 18, 2023) and National Adoption Month (November 2023). It promotes awareness about children in foster care awaiting adoption, celebrates adoption success stories, and encourages U.S. citizens to support efforts securing permanent, safe homes for all children. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight adoption needs. It specifically references foster care statistics (e.g., 114,000 children awaiting adoption) to underscore its purpose.