The Kids Online Safety Act (S 1748) requires major social media platforms, online video games, and other "covered platforms" to implement specific safety features for minors (under 17). These features include default privacy settings that limit harmful design features like infinite scrolling and auto-play, parental controls for managing minors' accounts, and restrictions on advertising illegal products to minors. The bill also mandates annual transparency reports about how platforms are used by minors and requires platforms to provide clear notices about their content algorithms. It creates a Kids Online Safety Council to advise Congress on online safety issues for children. The law applies to platforms with more than 10 million monthly users in the U.S. and takes effect 18 months after enactment.
The Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to eligible entities for establishing new physician residency programs in rural areas. These three-year grants support training pathways in general primary care, high-need specialties, and maternal health, with a requirement that residents spend more than half their training time in rural settings. The bill also creates a separate four-year technical assistance program to help organizations apply for and manage these residency initiatives. Eligible recipients include public or private nonprofit and for-profit entities, Indian Tribes, rural hospitals, and medical schools. The legislation authorizes $12.7 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these programs.
This bill prevents the Secretary of Education from moving specific offices and their functions to other federal agencies or contracting them out. It directly affects the Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Postsecondary Education, Office of Indian Education, and Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. The law blocks agreements that would allow these offices to share projects, use equipment, or transfer funds to other agencies, while also stopping internal transfers of these functions to other parts of the department before outsourcing them. The only exceptions are contracts or agreements that were already active on February 1, 2025, or renewals that keep the same terms.
This resolution designates the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week" to recognize the importance of local food markets. It highlights how these markets support farmers' incomes, connect urban and rural communities, and promote sustainable farming practices. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the role farmers markets play in strengthening local economies and improving public access to fresh food.
The SMASH 2.0 Act reauthorizes and updates the federal Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health program, which provides funding to state and local health departments to control mosquito populations. Key provisions allow the use of innovative technologies for prevention, allocate funds for technical training and education for public health workers, and increase the program's funding level to $100 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a strategic plan to stockpile emergency supplies for controlling vector-borne diseases and establishes a mechanism for coordination with the Strategic National Stockpile. These changes aim to enhance the capacity of health agencies to manage mosquito-related health risks through better planning, training, and resource availability.
This resolution designates August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children's Day to honor the sacrifices and hardships faced by children of fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill does not create new laws or change government operations; instead, it serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate and encourages the public to observe this day in support of these families. By establishing this specific date, the measure aims to raise awareness about the legacy carried by children who lost a parent in military service.
This resolution designates the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week" to honor the importance of local food markets. It serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize how these markets support farmers' livelihoods, strengthen local economies, and connect urban and rural communities. The bill does not create new laws or funding but instead formally acknowledges the role farmers markets play in promoting sustainable farming and public health.
This resolution designates July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report misconduct, fraud, or abuse within the government. It requires federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about the legal protections available for reporting wrongdoing and to acknowledge the contributions whistleblowers make to saving taxpayer money. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but serves as a commemorative measure to encourage ethical reporting and recognize the role of whistleblowers in maintaining an ethical government.
This Senate resolution condemns the Government of Iran for ongoing human rights abuses, specifically targeting its use of politically motivated espionage claims to justify arbitrary detention and executions. The bill outlines several key provisions, including calls to halt executions based on unsupported security charges and demands for detainees to receive due process and access to independent legal counsel. It also urges the release of individuals imprisoned for peacefully exercising freedoms of expression and religion while supporting the Iranian people's pursuit of democracy. Additionally, the resolution affirms U.S. efforts to hold Iranian officials accountable through sanctions and international investigations for their actions.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to create more predictable payment amounts for physicians by modifying how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calculates fee schedules. It raises the financial threshold for certain budget adjustments from $20 million to $57.64 million starting in 2028 and requires these amounts to be adjusted every five years based on inflation data. The bill also mandates that the government update the costs of staff wages and medical supplies used to calculate payments at least once every five years and limits how much the overall payment rate can change from one year to the next to no more than 2.5 percent. These changes directly affect doctors and healthcare providers who receive Medicare payments, ensuring their reimbursement rates remain more stable and better aligned with actual costs.
The FASTER Act of 2026 expands the list of major food allergens regulated by the FDA to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat. This change requires food manufacturers to clearly label these gluten-containing grains, helping consumers with allergies and Celiac disease identify potential triggers. The law also mandates that the FDA update its compliance guides within a year to reflect these new allergen categories. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on Celiac disease, covering data on prevalence, diagnostic methods, prevention strategies, and potential treatments. These provisions apply to all foods entering the market starting one year after the law is enacted.
