Maddy summaryThe Safe Home Act of 2023 defines "unregulated custody transfers" as the informal placement of a child with a non-relative (like a friend or unrelated caregiver) without legal oversight, background checks, or safety assessments, which can increase risks like trauma or unsafe environments for the child. It requires the federal government to improve public awareness and update resources for child welfare agencies and adoptive families, providing education on preventing such transfers and accessing support services. The bill also mandates a report to Congress within two years, analyzing the causes, effects, and prevalence of these transfers across states, along with recommendations for prevention. This legislation directly affects child welfare agencies and adoptive families by enhancing their access to information and support to promote stable adoptions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires large broadband providers and major online services (like social media, streaming platforms, and search engines) to contribute to the Universal Service Fund, which helps bring affordable broadband to rural and high-cost areas. It exempts smaller companies with under $5 billion in annual U.S. revenue or that transmit less than 3% of U.S. internet traffic. The Federal Communications Commission must create a new support mechanism to assist eligible rural broadband providers, limiting aid to one provider per area. The goal is to expand fund contributions and ensure predictable support for affordable broadband access.
Maddy summaryThe Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act (S 3333) amends the Social Security Act to improve support services for adopted children and their families. It creates new requirements for states to provide pre- and post-adoption support services, including counseling, educational resources, peer mentoring, and mental health services. The bill establishes a federal grant program providing $365 million annually from 2024-2028 for mental health services related to adoption and requires states to collect and report data on adoption disruptions and dissolutions. This bill directly affects adopted children, their adoptive families, and state agencies administering adoption and foster care services. The legislation aims to prevent adoption disruptions by improving support services based on data-driven evidence.
Maddy summaryThe EAGLE Act of 2023 would reform U.S. immigration policy by modifying per-country visa limits and strengthening oversight of H-1B visa programs. It would cap the number of family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas for any single country at 15% (or 2% for dependent areas) of total available visas. The bill requires H-1B employers to publicly post job openings for 30 days before filing petitions, prohibits advertising positions as exclusively for H-1B workers, and limits H-1B workers to 50% of a company's workforce for employers with 50+ employees. It also creates new requirements for adjustment of status applications for employment-based immigrants, including verification of job conditions. The bill's provisions would primarily affect employers seeking H-1B visas and immigrants applying for employment-based green cards.
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 49 seeks congressional disapproval of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule that would have established a new standard for determining when two or more companies are considered "joint employers" under labor law. The rule, published in October 2023, would have affected businesses with complex employment structures, such as franchisors and contractors, by altering how joint employer liability is assessed for wage, hour, and union representation matters. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the previous standard for joint employer determinations. The bill was introduced by Senators Cassidy, Manchin, Braun, McConnell, Marshall, Cramer, Capito, and Paul and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Maddy summarySRES 459 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, as specified in the 2009 Native American Heritage Day Act. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges Native Americans' contributions to U.S. history, culture, and society through "appropriate programs and activities." The resolution highlights historical context, including Native American cultural preservation, military service, and influences on U.S. governance, without imposing obligations on any entity. It directly affects the general public by encouraging observance during November 2023. This is a symbolic gesture, not a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows spouses and dependent children to regain transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits if the veteran spouse was discharged for a dependent-abuse offense (like domestic violence or sexual assault) that resulted in a non-honorable discharge. It requires applicants to submit evidence within 3 years of the veteran's discharge and limits reinstated benefits to unused portions of the transferred benefits. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may reinstate benefits if the veteran was administratively separated or convicted for abuse, and applicants denied reinstatement can request a review by the Secretary of Defense or Homeland Security within 30 days. This directly affects military families who lost education benefits due to a veteran's abuse-related discharge.
Maddy summaryThe PRINTS Act requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to collect fingerprints from noncitizen children under 14 if they suspect trafficking during entry into the United States. It criminalizes using a minor (not a relative or guardian) to gain entry, punishable by fines or up to 10 years in prison. The bill also mandates sharing fingerprints of unaccompanied children with Health and Human Services and requires monthly public reporting on child trafficking apprehensions. These provisions aim to improve trafficking identification and enforcement through standardized data collection and criminal penalties.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows health insurers and employers to reduce paperwork by shifting from automatically sending annual health insurance statements to individuals to a request-based system. Instead of mailing statements to everyone, these entities must simply provide clear notice that individuals can request a copy. If requested, they must send the statement by January 31 of the following year or 30 days after the request, whichever is later. The change directly affects insurers and employers required to report health coverage under IRS rules, reducing their administrative burden for 2024 and beyond.
Maddy summaryThe Justice for Angel Families Act (S 3209) expands federal victim compensation to include "angel families" - immediate family members of homicide victims caused by specific offenders, such as unlawfully present immigrants or members of international drug cartels. It amends the Victims of Crime Act to cover medical, mental health, wage loss, and funeral expenses for these families. The bill also creates a new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within Homeland Security to provide victims and families with a dedicated hotline, immigration process support, case referrals, and annual reports tracking crime demographics and locations. These changes directly affect families of homicide victims where the perpetrator falls under the defined categories, aiming to improve access to resources and data collection.