Maddy summaryThe Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023 requires companies that deploy automated decision systems making critical life decisions (such as for housing, employment, healthcare, or financial services) to conduct impact assessments before and after implementation. Covered entities include businesses with over $50 million in annual revenue or those handling data for more than 1 million consumers, which must document system impacts and mitigate negative effects on consumers. Companies must submit annual summary reports to the Federal Trade Commission detailing their assessments, with the FTC creating a public repository of anonymized information to inform consumers and researchers. The law mandates transparency about how systems affect consumers but does not require full disclosure of all assessment details. This bill establishes concrete requirements for accountability in automated decision-making systems affecting critical aspects of consumers' lives.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to create clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, sex, disability, religion, and other protected characteristics. These policies must specifically prohibit harassment occurring online (via emails, social media, or institutional networks), on campus, in dorms, and during school-sponsored activities. It also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund campus prevention programs, counseling services, and training for students, faculty, and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. The law adds these requirements to existing federal protections under Title IX and the Civil Rights Act, without replacing them.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal grant programs to support agriculture education at institutions serving Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. It requires these grants to last no longer than three years (previously indefinite) and increases annual funding from $10 million to $15 million for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. The changes directly affect Alaska Native-serving and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions receiving agriculture education grants under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act. The key provisions establish fixed grant durations and boost funding levels to better support these specific educational programs. These adjustments aim to provide more stable, predictable resources for student programs in agricultural fields.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for the existing grant program supporting innovative dental health initiatives under the Public Health Service Act. It raises the annual appropriation from $13.9 million (2019-2023) to $15.2 million for 2024, $15.5 million for 2025, and $15.8 million for 2026, with funds remaining available until fully expended. The bill directly affects dental health programs, particularly those serving underserved communities, by providing higher, multi-year funding for existing grant activities. It does not create new programs but adjusts the financial authorization for the current grant mechanism.
Maddy summarySRES 353 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week of September 16-23, 2023, as "National Estuaries Week." It expresses the Senate’s support for raising public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries. The resolution highlights estuaries’ role in supporting jobs, economic output, and critical habitats, while acknowledging threats like pollution and habitat loss. This procedural resolution has no direct regulatory or funding impact - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of estuaries’ value.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide student loan payment deferrals for borrowers who are survivors of sex-based harassment. It allows eligible borrowers to defer payments for up to 3 years (in 3-12 month periods) if they reduced their course load due to harassment and submitted documentation to a covered individual (like a Title IX coordinator or healthcare provider). The bill also waives the requirement to repay federal grants or loans if the borrower's interruption was due to harassment and they are already receiving the deferral. It defines "sex-based harassment" to include sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault as outlined in existing federal regulations.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution symbolically designates September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month" to raise awareness about voting rights history and current challenges. It recommends Congress pass specific voting rights legislation (like the Freedom to Vote Act and Democracy Restoration Act) and encourages public education on voting accessibility, registration, and historical voter suppression. The resolution has no binding effect on policy or funding - it serves as a symbolic recognition and call to action for voting rights advocacy.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires states to allow eligible voters to register or update their registration at polling places on election day for federal elections, starting with the November 2024 general election. It mandates that polling places provide the necessary forms for registration or changes, directly affecting voters and state election systems. States already without voter registration requirements for federal elections are exempt. The law includes a phased implementation for states needing time, requiring at least one compliant location per 15,000 voters in each jurisdiction before November 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits states from automatically removing voters from registration lists due to factors like not voting or not responding to mail. It requires states to use only objective evidence (such as death records or proof of permanent move out of state) for removals and mandates 48-hour notice to voters with reinstatement options. Voters who move within a state can update their address through election day to vote at their new location. The law directly affects registered voters and election officials who must implement these verification and notice requirements.
Maddy summaryThe Schedules That Work Act requires employers in retail, food service, hospitality, and cleaning industries to provide 14 days' advance notice of work schedules and pay predictability pay for last-minute changes. It gives eligible nonexempt workers the right to request schedule adjustments for family care, health needs, education, or second jobs, with employers required to grant these requests unless they have a bona fide business reason for denial. The law applies to covered employers with 15 or more workers and prohibits retaliation against employees who exercise these rights. The legislation aims to address widespread issues with unpredictable scheduling that disproportionately affect low-wage workers, particularly women and people of color, by providing greater schedule stability and control.