Sen. Richard Blumenthal

Maddy summaryS 1098, the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, changes U.S. aid rules for foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) receiving funding under the Foreign Assistance Act. It removes eligibility barriers for these NGOs if they provide health services (like counseling) using their own funds, as long as those services comply with local laws and would be legal in the U.S. It also eliminates extra restrictions on how foreign NGOs can use non-U.S. government funds for advocacy or lobbying, making these rules the same as those applied to U.S. NGOs receiving similar aid. This directly affects foreign health-focused NGOs working in international development and rights advocacy.

Maddy summaryThe CALM Modernization Act of 2023 updates the 2010 CALM Act to address loud commercials on video streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, which were previously unregulated. It requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create new rules within one year, ensuring streaming services cannot transmit commercial audio louder than the surrounding video content. The bill includes a "rebuttable presumption" that companies using proper equipment comply with the rules unless the FCC receives significant complaints or evidence of non-compliance. This applies specifically to streaming services - not traditional broadcasters - and mandates a GAO report on the original CALM Act’s effectiveness within 180 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clery Act to require colleges and universities to provide all campus safety reports, emergency response plans, and related materials in accessible formats for students and staff with disabilities - including those who are blind, deaf, or have cognitive or communication disabilities. Key provisions include mandating that emergency evacuation procedures account for disability needs, requiring campus security personnel to receive disability-inclusive training, and ensuring complaint processes (like sexual assault investigations) are accessible with accommodations like interpreters. It also requires prevention programs and all campus communications to be accessible and timely, with clear procedures for requesting accommodations. The bill directly affects all institutions covered by the Clery Act, aiming to make campus safety information and resources equitable for people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses selling goods or services with automatic renewals or free trials to clearly disclose renewal terms and cancellation options to consumers. Specifically, businesses must provide at least 7 days' notice before charging for renewals, obtain explicit consumer consent for each renewal, and offer easy cancellation methods (online, phone, email, or mail). The law also prohibits using deceptive "dark patterns" (tricky website designs) to trick consumers into agreeing to charges and voids automatic renewals if businesses fail to comply, requiring refunds for violations. It directly affects subscription-based businesses, app stores, and online service providers that use automatic renewal features or free-to-pay conversions.

Maddy summaryThe End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2023 (ERRPA) prohibits law enforcement agencies at all levels from engaging in racial profiling, defined as using race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation in stops and searches without specific evidence. The bill requires federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to collect and submit data on stops and searches disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and religion, and to implement training programs on racial profiling. It establishes grant programs to fund data collection demonstration projects and best practices development for eliminating racial profiling, with funds reserved for small and rural law enforcement agencies. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress on racial profiling data and implementation progress, with enforcement available through civil actions for individuals or the government.

Maddy summaryS 1086, the Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act, prohibits federal courts from excluding potential jurors based on disability or age. The bill amends federal jury law to ensure individuals with disabilities or older adults are not disqualified if they can serve with reasonable accommodations, such as accessible facilities or modified procedures. It specifically adds "disability, age" to existing protections against exclusion and requires courts to consider accommodations for jurors with infirmities. This change directly affects prospective federal jurors with disabilities or age-related needs who were previously excluded under broad "infirmity" rules. The bill applies only to federal jury service, not state courts.

Maddy summaryThe AMERICA Act (S 1073) establishes new rules for large digital advertising companies to increase transparency and competition in digital advertising markets. It prohibits companies with over $20 billion in annual digital advertising revenue from owning both a digital advertising exchange and a brokerage service, or from owning a brokerage while also being a buyer or seller of ad space. Companies with over $5 billion in annual revenue must act in their customers' best interests, provide detailed transparency about bid data and routing practices, and maintain separate business functions to avoid conflicts of interest. The bill creates private rights of action for harmed customers and requires annual certification of compliance to the Attorney General. It directly affects major digital advertising companies and their business customers who buy or sell digital advertisements.

Maddy summaryS 1085, "Hammers' Law," amends federal law to include cruise ship voyages under the same liability limitations that currently apply to commercial aviation accidents. It defines "cruise ship" as a passenger vessel carrying at least 250 passengers with sleeping facilities, embarking/disembarking in the U.S., and not operating coastwise. The bill specifically adds "cruise ship voyage" to Section 30307 of Title 46, U.S. Code, which limits nonpecuniary damages (like loss of care or companionship) in accident lawsuits. This change directly affects passengers on qualifying cruise ships involved in accidents, extending the existing legal framework from aviation to maritime travel.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require major financial regulators like the Federal Reserve, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FDIC, and SEC to treat congressional requests for information with higher priority than public requests and without charging fees. It would reclassify Federal Reserve Banks as agencies subject to the Freedom of Information Act, requiring them to disclose ethics-related information including financial disclosures, personnel matters, and ethics program details. The bill would prevent agencies from withholding information on common law privilege grounds like attorney-client privilege and establish security protocols for handling sensitive materials. It applies to multiple financial regulatory agencies, aiming to increase transparency in their operations and ethics practices.

Maddy summaryThe Smarter Sentencing Act of 2023 reduces mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain non-violent drug offenses under federal law. It redefines "courier" as someone whose role is limited to transporting drugs or money, setting lower sentencing ranges for couriers (5-10 years for first offenses, 10-20 years for repeat offenses) compared to other drug traffickers. The bill allows courts to reduce sentences for people already convicted of covered drug offenses, and directs the Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines to align with these changes. It also requires reports on federal criminal offenses and their penalties to improve transparency. This primarily affects individuals convicted of federal drug crimes, particularly those acting as couriers or facing mandatory minimums.