Sen. John Fetterman

Maddy summaryThis bill cancels all outstanding debts households owe for school meals under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program as of its enactment date. Within 180 days of becoming law, the Secretary of Agriculture must eliminate these debts and pay the canceled amounts to local schools using Commodity Credit Corporation funds. It directly affects families who previously owed money for school meals, removing their financial obligation to schools. The policy change eliminates existing debt without requiring new funding streams or altering program eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Agency Accessibility Compliance Act of 2023 requires all federal agencies to appoint a dedicated accessibility compliance officer within 90 days of the law's enactment. These officers must ensure agency websites and digital services meet current accessibility standards, reporting directly to agency leaders. Starting one year after enactment, agencies must publicly post annual certification of compliance or a detailed timeline for achieving it on their websites. Smaller agencies with fewer than 20 full-time employees may appoint an existing staff member for this role if their primary duties align with accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThe AACCENT Act establishes a national network of resource centers to improve access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for the estimated 4 million Americans with significant expressive communication disabilities. It awards grants to nonprofit partnerships that must include people with communication disabilities in leadership roles, requiring centers to provide evidence-based training, technical assistance, and resources to schools, healthcare providers, employers, and communities. These centers will collect demographic data, address barriers faced by racial and ethnic minority communities, and promote awareness about the rights of people who rely on AAC. The legislation aims to eliminate communication barriers and improve equal opportunity across education, employment, healthcare, and community participation for this population.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges to notify students participating in state or federally funded work-study programs about their potential eligibility for SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Specifically, institutions must send electronic notifications detailing SNAP eligibility requirements, state-specific application contacts, and an official document confirming work-study status to overcome a common eligibility barrier. The notifications must be developed jointly by the Education and Agriculture Departments and tailored to each student’s state. This directly affects undergraduate and graduate students in work-study programs who may qualify for SNAP but face confusion about their eligibility.

Maddy summaryS 2895, the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023, makes the federal adoption tax credit refundable. This change directly affects low-income adoptive parents who previously could not claim the credit if they owed no federal income tax. The bill restructures the credit in the tax code to allow families to receive it as a direct payment, even if their tax liability was zero. It applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and includes a transitional rule for credits carried forward from prior years. The law does not alter the credit amount or eligibility criteria, only its refundability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to create clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, sex, disability, religion, and other protected characteristics. These policies must specifically prohibit harassment occurring online (via emails, social media, or institutional networks), on campus, in dorms, and during school-sponsored activities. It also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund campus prevention programs, counseling services, and training for students, faculty, and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. The law adds these requirements to existing federal protections under Title IX and the Civil Rights Act, without replacing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide student loan payment deferrals for borrowers who are survivors of sex-based harassment. It allows eligible borrowers to defer payments for up to 3 years (in 3-12 month periods) if they reduced their course load due to harassment and submitted documentation to a covered individual (like a Title IX coordinator or healthcare provider). The bill also waives the requirement to repay federal grants or loans if the borrower's interruption was due to harassment and they are already receiving the deferral. It defines "sex-based harassment" to include sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault as outlined in existing federal regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution symbolically designates September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month" to raise awareness about voting rights history and current challenges. It recommends Congress pass specific voting rights legislation (like the Freedom to Vote Act and Democracy Restoration Act) and encourages public education on voting accessibility, registration, and historical voter suppression. The resolution has no binding effect on policy or funding - it serves as a symbolic recognition and call to action for voting rights advocacy.

Maddy summaryThe Schedules That Work Act requires employers in retail, food service, hospitality, and cleaning industries to provide 14 days' advance notice of work schedules and pay predictability pay for last-minute changes. It gives eligible nonexempt workers the right to request schedule adjustments for family care, health needs, education, or second jobs, with employers required to grant these requests unless they have a bona fide business reason for denial. The law applies to covered employers with 15 or more workers and prohibits retaliation against employees who exercise these rights. The legislation aims to address widespread issues with unpredictable scheduling that disproportionately affect low-wage workers, particularly women and people of color, by providing greater schedule stability and control.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning September 11, 2023, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week" to recognize institutions that enroll at least 25% Hispanic students. It directly affects Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), which serve over 5 million students across 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The resolution calls for public observance through ceremonies and activities during that week to honor HSIs' role in advancing educational access, economic mobility, and Hispanic Heritage Month. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact but formally acknowledges these institutions' contributions.