Sen. Mazie K. Hirono

Maddy summaryThe Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act of 2023 amends federal law to expand protections against racial discrimination in economic activities. It prohibits both intentional discrimination and policies with disparate impact, requiring businesses to justify practices that disadvantage non-White individuals. The bill defines "economic activity" broadly to include online and in-person transactions, hiring, contracting, and access to financial services. It lowers the burden of proof for plaintiffs by allowing claims based on race being a "motivating factor," not solely the cause, and ensures the right to jury trials for violations.

Maddy summaryS 2024, the Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2023, authorizes $25 million annually (2024-2028) to fund federal grants for health care training programs. The bill provides grants to eligible entities - such as accredited schools, academic health centers, and safety-net providers - in states where abortion care training is permitted, to expand clinical training for students and clinicians in abortion care. Key provisions require grantees to prioritize training focused on medically underserved communities, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, Tribal populations, and telehealth integration, while also developing recruitment strategies for underrepresented groups. The program must supplement, not replace, existing federal health training funds and requires annual reporting on trainee numbers, partnerships, and program impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education privacy rules to make it easier for students to transfer credits between colleges toward completing a credential. It allows a student's previous college to receive their academic records (with the student's written consent) if they want to apply those credits toward a certificate or associate degree at their original school. The change directly affects students who transferred from one institution to another but later want to complete a credential they started at their first school. The key provision requires explicit student consent before records are shared, streamlining the "reverse transfer" process for credential completion.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the Thirteenth Amendment's exception that permits slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishment. It would directly affect all individuals within the U.S. criminal justice system by banning any form of forced labor for crimes, addressing a historical loophole that enabled mass incarceration of Black Americans post-Civil War. Key provisions explicitly state: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime," while clarifying it does not interfere with voluntary prison work programs, community service alternatives, or existing employment protections for incarcerated people. The amendment aims to align U.S. law with constitutional principles by eliminating this exception without altering current sentencing options.

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 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Safety Act of 2023 requires JROTC programs in secondary schools to notify the Department of Defense and Department of Education within 48 hours of any allegations of instructor sexual harassment or assault against students. It mandates annual reports on allegations of sex-based harassment (including sexual harassment, domestic violence, and stalking) and discrimination based on disability, race, gender identity, and other protected characteristics in JROTC programs. The bill also requires schools to develop policies for preventing harassment, provide student training on reporting violations, and obtain informed consent from both students and their legal guardians before enrollment. Additionally, it establishes regular program inspections, climate surveys to assess gender and discrimination issues, and requires the Comptroller General to review transparency efforts related to sexual violence in JROTC programs.

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 summaryThe Veterans' COLA Act of 2023 increases compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for survivors of certain disabled veterans, effective December 1, 2023. These increases will be calculated using the same percentage as the Social Security Act's cost-of-living adjustment for that year. The bill affects veterans receiving disability compensation under section 1114 of Title 38, as well as survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation under sections 1311, 1313, and 1314. Specific provisions include adjustments to wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances, and survivor benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will publish the adjusted rates in the Federal Register by the date required for Social Security Act adjustments.

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 summaryThe TEST Act addresses the backlog in evaluating fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It requires the Attorney General to complete scheduling evaluations for identified fentanyl substances within 1 year for those identified before enactment and 3 years for newly identified substances. The bill creates a temporary 3-year scheduling mechanism for new fentanyl substances while establishing procedures to potentially remove substances from Schedule I if they're determined to have less abuse potential. It also streamlines research registration processes for scientists studying fentanyl-related substances to accelerate development of life-saving treatments. The legislation authorizes $50 million for these evaluations in fiscal years 2023-2024 and mandates public posting of evaluation results.