This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to update terminology related to military members' credit protections. It replaces the outdated term "active duty military consumer" with the broader "armed forces member consumer," which now includes all military members regardless of current duty status (e.g., active duty, reservists, National Guard). This change ensures credit reporting rules consistently apply to all service members when credit bureaus handle their information. The amendment directly affects how credit bureaus and lenders identify and apply protections under the Fair Credit Reporting Act for military personnel.
The Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 836) extends COPPA protections to teens aged 13-17 by requiring websites, apps, and online services to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children or from teens themselves before collecting or using their personal information for purposes beyond the service. It defines "personal information" broadly to include biometric data, voice recordings, persistent identifiers, and geolocation information, and prohibits using such information for individual-specific advertising without consent. The bill mandates clear notice about data practices and gives children and teens rights to access, correct, and delete their personal information. Additionally, it requires the FTC to conduct studies on mobile app oversight and the GAO to study teen privacy in financial technology products.
HCONRES 78 is a symbolic resolution designating March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor abortion providers and staff. It recognizes their work amid rising violence, clinic closures, and abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision, citing threats and challenges faced by providers. The resolution expresses congressional support for providers' safety and access to abortion care, condemning policies that restrict access. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it solely affirms Congress’s stance through a symbolic gesture. This is a procedural resolution focused on recognition, not policy change.
HRES 1114 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 114th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (founded March 12, 1912). It formally celebrates the organization’s mission of building girls’ courage, confidence, and character through programs focused on leadership, STEM, community service, and inclusive spaces. The resolution specifically honors Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2025 and encourages continued support for their work in developing future women leaders. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic expression of congressional appreciation for the Girl Scouts’ community impact.
This bill proposes to remove the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services for Medicare beneficiaries. It directly affects older Americans and other eligible individuals who rely on Medicare for mental health care coverage. The key provision amends the Social Security Act to delete the specific restriction that currently caps how many days Medicare will pay for inpatient psychiatric hospital stays. Changes made by this legislation would take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing Medicare to cover these services without the previous daily limit.
This bill, known as the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026, makes two main changes to federal health insurance programs. First, it allows podiatric physicians to provide covered physician services under Medicaid, ensuring patients have access to specialized foot and ankle care. Second, it updates Medicare rules to clarify documentation requirements for diabetic shoes, specifying that a physician must confirm a patient has diabetes and related foot conditions before these shoes are covered. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026 for Medicaid podiatry services and January 1, 2028 for Medicare diabetic shoe documentation.
This bill reorganizes AmeriCorps by converting it from a government corporation into a new executive department called the AmeriCorps Administration. It creates an advisory board with seven members appointed by various officials, including the President and congressional leaders, to guide policy and program oversight. The legislation increases financial benefits for participants, doubling educational awards to twice the average in-state tuition and raising living allowances to 175-210 percent of the federal minimum wage. It also establishes a new National Service Foundation to accept private donations and gifts for the program, and sets a goal of serving one million participants annually by 2036.
This bill amends the Espionage Act to reform how whistleblowers and press freedom are protected under federal law. It requires prosecutors to prove that individuals leaked classified information with specific intent to harm the United States or benefit foreign nations, rather than just showing they knew the information was classified. The legislation also establishes an affirmative defense allowing defendants to argue they disclosed information to reveal illegal activities, constitutional violations, or significant threats to public health and safety. Additionally, it permits defendants charged under these sections to testify about their motivations for releasing the information. These changes directly affect government employees, contractors, and journalists who handle classified materials.
This bill, known as the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, would change federal labor rules to require overtime pay and minimum wage protections for certain babysitters. It specifically targets casual babysitting work that is irregular or intermittent, while excluding trained medical professionals like nurses and home health aides from these changes. The law would also allow babysitters to perform up to 20% of their work time on unrelated household tasks without losing their protected status. These amendments would apply to workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 who provide custodial care for infants or children in private homes.
This bill, known as the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026, makes two main changes to federal healthcare programs. First, it allows Medicaid to cover foot and ankle care services provided by podiatric physicians, ensuring patients have access to this specialized care. Second, it updates Medicare rules to clarify documentation requirements for diabetic shoes, specifying conditions under which patients can receive extra-depth or custom-molded footwear. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026, for Medicaid services and January 1, 2028, for Medicare shoe coverage.
This bill, titled the Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026, would prohibit Medicare from paying hospitals or skilled nursing facilities owned or controlled by private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, or corporations owned by those funds. The law defines control as owning 10 percent or more of voting securities or having the power to direct management and policies through contracts or other means. Facilities currently owned by these firms would have a three-year transition period before the prohibition takes full effect. The bill also establishes joint and several liability, meaning the owning firm would be responsible for any penalties if the facility violates the rule, and provides for notice, hearings, and judicial review for affected facilities.
This bill establishes stricter penalties for child care providers who commit fraud by requiring permanent debarment from federal child care assistance programs. It defines fraud to include submitting false information, misrepresenting enrollment or services, operating without required state licenses, or misusing federal funds. Providers found guilty of fraud must repay misappropriated funds and face permanent bans from participating in any federal child care assistance program funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. The legislation also mandates that states deny participation to debarred providers and requires automatic referrals to the Attorney General for criminal investigation and potential prosecution. Additionally, the bill makes permanently debarred child care providers inadmissible to the United States, subject to expedited removal, mandatory detention, and ineligibility for asylum or adjustment of status.
