Sen. Jack Reed

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals legal protections that previously shielded gun manufacturers from civil lawsuits related to gun violence. It allows gun violence victims to use firearm trace data from the ATF's database as evidence in civil court cases (including state, federal, and administrative proceedings). The key change makes gun trace information admissible and subject to discovery, meaning victims' legal teams can subpoena this data to prove how guns were obtained. This directly affects victims pursuing civil claims against gun manufacturers or dealers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group health plans (like employer-sponsored insurance) to provide equal cost-sharing (such as copays and deductibles) for oral anticancer medications as for intravenous or injected versions, provided a doctor deems the oral drug medically necessary. It prohibits plans from changing coverage to increase out-of-pocket costs for oral drugs or impose stricter limits on them compared to IV drugs. The requirement applies to FDA-approved anticancer drugs used to treat cancer, with plans still allowed to use prior authorization. The law takes effect for 2024 plan years.

Maddy summaryThe Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (S 1995) provides federal grants to strengthen public health systems across the U.S. It directly affects state, territorial, and local health departments serving 500,000+ people, plus tribal health departments. Key mechanisms include: 50% of funds for formula-based grants to all states/territories (prioritizing population, disease burden, and poverty), 30% for competitive grants targeting departments with highest infrastructure needs, and a requirement for grantees to achieve accreditation by 2027. The bill allocates increasing annual funding - $750 million in 2024 rising to $4.5 billion annually by 2028 - with 3% reserved specifically for tribal health departments. It defines "core public health infrastructure" to include surveillance, emergency response, equity-focused services, and workforce capacity.

Maddy summaryThe Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2023 expands tax benefits for low-to-moderate income workers and families with children. It lowers the minimum age for the Earned Income Credit from 25 to 19 (with exceptions for students, former foster youth, and homeless youth), removes the age 65 maximum, and increases credit amounts and income thresholds. The bill also establishes a permanent system for monthly advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, with higher payments ($300 monthly) for children under age 6 compared to $250 for older children. It includes inflation adjustments to maintain the value of these credits over time and creates mechanisms for determining eligibility and recapturing payments in certain circumstances. The provisions apply to all states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and American Samoa.

Maddy summaryThe Right to Contraception Act (S 1999) establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and related information without government interference, directly affecting all people seeking reproductive care and health care providers who offer these services. Key provisions prohibit state or federal laws that restrict contraceptive access, single out contraceptive services, or allow provider refusals based on personal beliefs, while requiring any restrictions to be narrowly tailored to advance access. The bill preempts conflicting state laws, allows enforcement through lawsuits by affected individuals or the Attorney General, and explicitly protects access for historically marginalized groups facing barriers. It does not alter existing insurance coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act but ensures contraceptive access remains protected from restrictive state policies.

Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).

Maddy summaryS 1934, the *Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2023*, would allow states to set their own maximum interest rates for most consumer credit (like credit cards or personal loans), overriding federal limits. It directly affects consumers and lenders in states with stricter rate caps than current federal law, excluding residential mortgages. The bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to require that non-mortgage credit transactions follow the highest rate limit permitted by the consumer’s state of residence. This shifts regulatory authority from federal to state level for these financial products.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain grants provided to transportation service providers from federal taxation under the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act. It specifically states that grant amounts received by eligible providers won't count as taxable income, and it prevents related tax deductions or basis adjustments from being denied. The provision also clarifies tax treatment for partnerships and S corporations receiving these grants, treating the excluded grant amounts as tax-exempt income for partnership tax calculations. The bill directly affects transportation businesses that receive federal relief grants under the referenced act.

Maddy summaryThe SECURE Act would allow certain foreign nationals to adjust their immigration status to lawful permanent residence. It specifically targets individuals who are nationals of countries designated under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or who were in TPS, and who have been continuously present in the U.S. for at least three years. The bill includes provisions for work authorization while applications are pending, fee exemptions for vulnerable applicants (such as minors, low-income individuals, and those in foster care), and a "stay of removal" for those with pending applications. It also contains confidentiality protections for application information and requires detailed reporting when countries lose TPS status. The bill aims to streamline the process for eligible TPS holders to obtain permanent residency without having to file motions to reopen prior removal orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit children under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves in agricultural work. It directly affects minors working on tobacco farms by adding this specific restriction to existing child labor protections. The key mechanism updates the law to explicitly exclude tobacco-related agriculture from exemptions that previously allowed certain youth employment in farming, closing a gap that permitted underage labor in this sector. The change applies to all tobacco farming operations covered under federal labor law.