Sen. Richard J. Durbin

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the reporting deadline for the Department of Justice under the First Step Act from every 5 years to every 10 years. It directly affects the U.S. Department of Justice, which is required to submit reports on the act's implementation. The key change is modifying section 3634 of title 18, U.S. Code, to lengthen the interval between required reports. This is a procedural adjustment to reporting requirements, not a substantive change to the First Step Act itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3483) prevents federal courts from using conduct for which a defendant was found not guilty (acquitted) as a basis for imposing a harsher sentence. It directly affects federal criminal defendants who were acquitted of specific charges at trial or had charges dismissed after a motion for acquittal. The key change amends sentencing rules to prohibit courts from considering acquitted conduct - defined as acts where the defendant was acquitted or charges were dismissed - except when reducing a sentence. The law applies only to cases where sentencing occurs after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 1983 of federal law to make federal law enforcement agencies financially liable when officers violate constitutional rights during searches, seizures, or arrests. It directly affects federal agencies (like the FBI or DHS) and citizens who experience such rights violations. Key provisions remove the requirement that a violation must stem from an agency's policy or custom, and waive the U.S. government's sovereign immunity - meaning agencies can be sued directly in court regardless of officer defenses or immunities. The law expands legal recourse for victims by enabling lawsuits against the agency itself, not just individual officers.

Maddy summaryThe First Step Implementation Act of 2025 makes significant changes to sentencing and corrections policies. It modifies drug sentencing by expanding the definition of "serious drug felony or serious violent felony" and creates a process for courts to reduce sentences for people convicted as adults for crimes committed before age 18. The bill also establishes automatic sealing of juvenile nonviolent offense records after 3 years of clean record and provides procedures for expunging certain juvenile records upon reaching age 18. Additionally, it requires the Attorney General to correct inaccurate or incomplete criminal records and gives individuals the right to challenge the accuracy of their records. These provisions primarily affect individuals with juvenile records or those convicted of drug offenses under previous sentencing guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3485) expands home detention options for elderly or terminally ill nonviolent offenders already serving prison sentences. It amends the Second Chance Act to allow courts, after considering sentencing factors, to substitute home detention for the remaining prison time if an offender meets specific criteria (e.g., age, nonviolent offense) and submits a request. Key changes include shortening the required sentence reduction from two-thirds to one-half of the original term (minus credits) and establishing clear timelines: courts must act within 30 days of a request or after exhausting all appeals regarding the Bureau of Prisons' failure to process the request. The bill directly affects eligible incarcerated individuals, not the general public.

Maddy summaryThe RISE from Trauma Act establishes grants for community coordinating bodies to address trauma and build resilience, particularly for children and youth affected by violence, substance use, or other traumatic experiences. These grants (up to $6 million each for 4 years) require diverse community stakeholders - including healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations - to collaborate on identifying local needs and developing trauma-informed strategies. The legislation prioritizes communities with high rates of overdose deaths, violence-related deaths, or involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It also expands existing programs like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, creates hospital-based interventions to prevent readmissions after trauma events, and establishes training for schools, law enforcement, and healthcare providers in trauma-informed care. Funding is authorized at $600 million annually from 2026-2033 for these initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to remove a specific deadline for completing background checks on firearm purchases. It deletes the requirement that background checks must be completed within 10 business days, as previously established under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. The change directly affects firearm sellers (such as licensed dealers) who conduct these checks, removing a strict timeline for completing the process. The bill focuses on technical adjustments to existing background check procedures without altering the underlying requirements for the checks themselves.

Maddy summaryThe Keeping All Students Safe Act prohibits inappropriate seclusion and restraint in schools, including mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints that pose safety risks. It requires schools to use less restrictive interventions first, train staff in crisis intervention, and notify parents within 24 hours of any restraint incident. The law mandates meetings between schools and parents after incidents to discuss prevention strategies and provides documentation requirements. It applies to all public schools receiving federal funding, with specific protections for students with disabilities. States must submit compliance plans and report on restraint use, including demographic data on affected students.

Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025 establishes a permanent U.S. Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ rights at the Department of State, with the authority to coordinate all federal government efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the development of a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, along with annual briefings to Congress on progress. It mandates that the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices include detailed information about laws criminalizing or discriminating against LGBTQI+ people in all countries. The legislation also requires all U.S. government-funded programs to adopt inclusive nondiscrimination policies covering sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. These provisions aim to strengthen U.S. foreign policy efforts to protect LGBTQI+ rights worldwide through coordinated diplomatic, humanitarian, and development initiatives.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Food Administration Act of 2025 creates a new agency within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee food safety and regulation, replacing the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) current food-related responsibilities. The Federal Food Administration will conduct risk-based inspections of food facilities - requiring annual checks for high-risk facilities, biennial checks for intermediate-risk, and triennial checks for low-risk facilities (with infant formula manufacturers inspected every six months). It will assume all FDA food regulatory functions, including the Human Foods Program and Office of Inspections, and must consult with industry stakeholders and scientific experts. The agency will be led by a Commissioner of Foods appointed by the President with Senate approval, effective within one year of the bill's enactment.