Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Children Act increases penalties for employers violating child labor laws, raising civil penalties to as much as $700,000 for serious violations involving children and doubling or tripling penalties for violations that cause harm to young workers. It establishes a National Advisory Committee on Child Labor to advise federal agencies and creates a fund using penalty collections to support enforcement, research, and education about child labor. The bill updates processes for reviewing hazardous occupations for children and requires annual reports on child labor enforcement activities, statistics, and the effectiveness of protections. These provisions directly affect employers who hire children, children working in hazardous conditions, and federal agencies responsible for labor and safety enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act (HR 3971) would establish key labor protections for domestic workers, including nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers who work in private homes. The bill requires written agreements for workers employed 8+ hours per week, provides earned sick days (1 hour for every 30 hours worked), mandates fair scheduling practices with 72-hour notice for schedule changes, and extends overtime protections to live-in domestic employees. It also prohibits unfair wage deductions, guarantees meal and rest breaks, and ensures privacy protections including no monitoring in private living spaces. The bill directly affects approximately 2.2 million domestic workers across the U.S., who are disproportionately women of color and immigrants. Enforcement would be handled by the Department of Labor through new complaint resolution mechanisms and oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies existing protections for designated roadless areas within the National Forest System by prohibiting new road construction, road reconstruction, and logging in these areas. It directly affects National Forest lands already identified as "inventoried roadless areas" under the current Roadless Rule, which covers roughly 58 million acres. The key mechanism requires the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce these prohibitions, maintaining current protections without expanding restrictions to other lands or altering existing multiple-use management. The bill does not create new protected areas but legally solidifies the existing regulatory framework to preserve ecological and recreational values.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents colleges and universities from requiring students to sign enrollment agreements that force them to resolve disputes through private arbitration instead of in court. It specifically removes the Federal Arbitration Act from student enrollment contracts (where students pay for education) and amends the Higher Education Act to prohibit institutions from enforcing restrictions on students' ability to pursue legal claims - such as limiting jury trials, choice of venue, or applicable law. The law directly affects students who enroll in higher education programs and the institutions that require such contracts. It takes effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 3916 (My Body, My Data Act of 2025), requires businesses and other "regulated entities" to minimize collection and sharing of personal reproductive or sexual health data - such as pregnancy status, contraceptive use, or abortion-related information - and gives individuals specific rights. It mandates that entities provide individuals with easy access to their data, the ability to correct inaccuracies, and the right to request deletion of such information within 15 days. The law also requires clear privacy policies detailing data practices and prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise these rights, such as charging higher prices or denying services. It applies broadly to most businesses (excluding HIPAA-covered healthcare providers) and is enforced by the FTC with private lawsuits allowed for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Veterans Health Administration (VHA) anesthesia practice standards to align with Defense Health Agency (DHA) guidelines, directly affecting VA-employed anesthesia providers (including physician anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists). It requires VHA to recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists as licensed independent practitioners under DHA’s 2023 standards and mandates certification from specific bodies for all anesthesia staff. Additionally, it sets a 25-hour minimum requirement for direct patient care experience for all VA anesthesia professionals and allows suspension for non-compliance. The bill also requires annual GAO reports comparing outcomes and costs across three anesthesia delivery models (anesthesiologist-led, CRNA-supervised, and CRNA-only) to be submitted to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private firearm transfers between individuals to go through a licensed dealer who must conduct a background check. It applies to most private sales but includes exceptions for transfers between family members (like parents and children), law enforcement, emergencies preventing harm, and temporary loans at shooting ranges or for hunting. Dealers must provide background check notices in both English and Spanish. The law aims to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms through private transactions while maintaining existing state authority on firearm laws.

Maddy summaryHR 3868, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025, modifies federal firearm background check procedures to address delays. It requires federal firearms licensees to wait 10 business days after a background check query if the system doesn’t immediately flag a transfer, unless the buyer submits an electronic petition confirming they aren’t prohibited from owning firearms. The petition process includes a 10-day response deadline from the Attorney General, with licensees allowed to proceed if the system remains silent after 10 days. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports from the FBI on petition delays and GAO reports on implementation, focusing on how these changes affect firearm transfers to prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryThe Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 amends federal law to provide funding for programs serving runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth, primarily aged 15-22 with some services extending to youth up to age 26. It establishes basic center grants for temporary shelter (up to 30 days) and transitional living programs that provide housing, counseling, and services tailored to youth's age, gender, and developmental needs. The bill requires programs to collect data on vulnerable populations including LGBTQ youth, youth of color, and those in the child welfare system, and mandates trauma-informed services for youth victims of trafficking. It authorizes $200 million annually for these programs, with specific funding allocations to support prevention services, street outreach, and coordination with education and child welfare systems.

Maddy summaryHRES 482 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June 8 as World Oceans Day and emphasizing the need to protect ocean resources. It highlights threats like plastic pollution, ocean acidification, and climate impacts without creating new laws or direct obligations. The resolution commits the House to increasing federal funding for ocean science research to support U.S. efforts under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. It does not directly affect individuals or entities but serves as a policy statement urging greater scientific investment in ocean health.