Sen. Ron Wyden

Maddy summarySRES 548 designates the week of February 5-9, 2024, as "National School Counseling Week." The resolution encourages the public to observe this week with activities that raise awareness of school counselors' roles in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development. It highlights counselors' contributions to mental health support, career preparation, and creating safe school environments, without imposing new requirements or funding. This is a symbolic, non-binding designation to promote recognition of school counseling services.

Maddy summarySRES 550 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating February 2024 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to recognize the value of CTE programs. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers through secondary and postsecondary training. The resolution encourages educators and parents to promote CTE as a respected educational pathway, aligning with the Senate's recognition of CTE's importance for workforce development and economic competitiveness. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect but expresses bipartisan support for CTE initiatives.

Maddy summarySRES 551 is a symbolic Senate resolution (not a law) introduced by multiple senators on February 8, 2024, to formally celebrate Black History Month. It acknowledges the historical contributions of African Americans to U.S. society and encourages the public to reflect on their legacy during February. The resolution contains no new policies or requirements - it simply expresses the Senate's recognition of Black History Month as an opportunity to honor these contributions and learn from history. It does not affect any individuals, groups, or government programs. This is a standard annual commemorative resolution, consistent with similar resolutions passed each February.

Maddy summaryS 3779 creates federal grant programs to reduce suicide rates among youth under 26. Health care grants ($20 million) fund training for providers on identifying at-risk youth, communicating about safe firearm storage, and using evidence-based screening tools, with up to 15% of funds available for providing secure gun storage devices at low cost to families. School grants ($10 million) support developing curricula on suicide prevention and lethal means safety for health care education. The bill requires annual reporting and establishes a public website with best practices, with funding allocated through 2027.

Maddy summaryThe Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2024 establishes new rules for selling non-performing single-family mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and sold by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The bill requires that such loans can only be sold after exhausting loss mitigation options, with priority given to government entities, nonprofits, and community organizations focused on affordable housing. It mandates that purchasers offer loss mitigation options at least as favorable as current FHA guidelines, prohibits certain sale practices like contract for deed sales to non-profits, and requires that 75% of properties acquired through foreclosure must be sold to owner-occupants or used for affordable housing for 10 years. The bill also includes detailed data reporting requirements to track outcomes and prevent discriminatory practices, with semi-annual reports to Congress on loan sales and their impact on communities.

Maddy summaryS 2385, the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2023, provides federal funding to improve clean water access for Native American and Native Hawaiian communities. It authorizes $100 million annually (2024-2028) through the USDA for water infrastructure projects, $30 million for technical assistance to help tribes access funding, and $100 million annually for operation/maintenance of water facilities. The bill directly affects tribes and Native Hawaiian communities where nearly half lack reliable water access, addressing gaps in existing infrastructure funding. Key provisions include no requirement for matching funds, prioritization for communities most in need, and long-term maintenance support for completed projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier for people with disabilities seeking elected office by ensuring campaign work they perform doesn't affect their eligibility for federal or state benefits. Specifically, it requires that any campaign work done by a candidate with a disability - and any compensation received for that work - be disregarded when calculating benefits under programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (Title II) or Supplemental Security Income (Title XVI). This means individuals receiving disability benefits could run for office without risking loss of support due to campaign earnings. The law directly affects disabled candidates for federal, state, or local office who rely on these benefits.

Maddy summaryThe Accessible Voting Act of 2024 establishes an Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission to advocate for voters with disabilities, older individuals (60+ years), Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and those with limited English proficiency. It requires states to create accessible election websites with voting information, designate a single office to provide voting assistance to these groups, and ensure polling places are fully accessible. The bill expands access to absentee voting for all voters, prohibits denying voting rights based solely on guardianship status, and provides $100 million in federal funding for states to implement these accessibility requirements. These provisions aim to address longstanding barriers to voting experienced by approximately 28.7 million voting-age individuals with disabilities and 26 million people with limited English proficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help local governments provide reasonable accommodations for elected or appointed officials with disabilities. It directly affects qualifying local governments (with populations under 200,000, in rural areas, or with high poverty rates) that have an official needing accommodations like office modifications, specialized software, or sign language interpreters to perform their work duties. Grants range from $3,000 to $50,000 annually, requiring local governments to contribute 25% in matching funds, which must be maintained for four years after the grant ends. The program aims to increase disability representation in local government by addressing ADA compliance gaps in funding for necessary accommodations.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Play for Women Act (S 3762) strengthens Title IX protections for women and girls in school sports by requiring federally funded schools to annually report detailed data on athletic participation, funding, and facilities by sex and race. It mandates annual training for school staff and athletes about Title IX rights, creates a public database of Title IX coordinators, and establishes civil penalties for schools that fail to comply with gender equity requirements. These provisions apply to all elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions receiving federal funding, directly affecting student athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators. The law aims to increase transparency about gender inequities in school sports programs, which include documented gaps in participation opportunities and unequal treatment. By requiring detailed reporting and training, the bill seeks to address persistent gender inequities in school sports programs.