Sen. Edward J. Markey

Maddy summaryThe Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2023 requires websites and applications used by government agencies, public businesses, employers, and testing organizations to be accessible to people with disabilities. It mandates the Department of Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to establish accessibility standards within 24 months of enactment, with extended timelines for small businesses. The law prohibits discrimination in digital services and creates enforcement mechanisms, including civil actions by individuals or the government, while establishing a technical assistance center to help entities comply with requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Green New Deal for Public Schools Act of 2023 provides federal funding to help public schools, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, and schools funded by BIE become climate-resilient and energy-efficient. The bill establishes grant programs for "healthy green retrofits" that convert existing schools or build new ones to meet specific environmental and energy standards (like achieving 30% renewable energy use), with priority given to the 1/3 most vulnerable schools based on CDC SVI rankings. Schools receiving funds must develop resource allocation plans including community engagement, local hiring requirements (with 30% of jobs filled by local residents), and specific energy efficiency targets. The act also includes provisions for hiring additional educators, improving school safety through trauma-informed approaches, and ensuring environmental justice by prioritizing funding for communities disproportionately affected by climate change.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 372) expresses concern about the rising trend of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries, citing PEN America data showing nearly 3,400 book removals affecting 1,557 titles from July 2022-June 2023. It specifically highlights disproportionate bans targeting books with LGBTQ+ themes (36%) or content about race/racism (37%), including titles like *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus*. The resolution urges local schools and libraries to follow established guidelines (e.g., from the American Library Association) when addressing book challenges and reaffirms support for First Amendment rights to read and access diverse perspectives. It does not create new laws but formally calls for protecting students’ access to literature reflecting diverse viewpoints.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to improve special education services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. It requires states to identify and serve these students regardless of their disability classification, mandates specialized evaluations and instruction in their preferred communication method (including American Sign Language), and requires states to develop addendums to their education plans addressing these students' unique needs. The bill establishes the Anne Sullivan Macy Center on Visual Disability and Educational Excellence to support teachers and develop resources for students with visual disabilities. It directly affects students with sensory disabilities, their families, schools, and educators who work with these students.

Maddy summaryThe FEMA Equity Act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement new processes to ensure equitable disaster assistance for underserved communities, including racial minorities, rural areas, low-income communities, people with disabilities, and others affected by persistent inequality. It mandates FEMA to develop equity criteria for all disaster programs, establish metrics to measure equity outcomes, create an Equity Advisor position, and form a steering group to monitor implementation. The bill also requires FEMA to consult with underserved communities and submit annual reports on equity progress to Congress. Additionally, it directs the Government Accountability Office to review FEMA's factors for disaster declarations and assistance authorization to assess their impact on equity for marginalized groups.

Maddy summaryS 2960, the "Expanding the VOTE Act," requires states and local election officials to provide voting materials (including digital and printed ballots, notices, and instructions) in minority languages when communities meet specific population thresholds. It clarifies that "voting materials" now explicitly include digital content and mandates new notices for jurisdictions near population thresholds. For American Indian and Alaska Native communities with unwritten languages, it requires oral assistance instead of written translations, while still mandating written materials for election workers. The bill also creates $15 million in grants to help jurisdictions provide materials in languages that don’t yet meet coverage thresholds, and directs a study on lowering population thresholds for language access requirements.

Maddy summaryThe BOSS and SWIFT Act of 2023 requires ticket sellers (both primary sellers like venues and secondary marketplaces like StubHub) to clearly display the total cost of tickets - including all mandatory fees - before purchase. It mandates that sellers show the base ticket price separately from fees and taxes, disclose whether a ticket is a primary or secondary sale, and prohibit misleading pricing tactics. The law also prevents sellers from double-selling seats and requires refunds if tickets aren’t delivered, with enforcement handled by the Federal Trade Commission. This affects all ticket buyers for live events, ensuring transparency in pricing from the first point of display.

Maddy summarySRES 363 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, which promotes educational exchanges focused on Mandarin language learning and cultural cooperation. It encourages colleges, universities, and K-12 schools to partner with Taiwan for Mandarin instruction, host teacher exchange programs (like the Department of State’s Teachers of Critical Language Program), and support U.S. educators teaching English in Taiwan through programs such as the Fulbright Exchange. The resolution highlights the demand for Mandarin education in a "censorship and coercion-free environment" amid declining Confucius Institutes. It does not create new laws or funding but formally urges continued collaboration between U.S. educational institutions and Taiwan.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 361, introduced on September 26, 2023, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established key anti-discrimination protections for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes the Act's role in advancing civil rights through provisions like Section 504 (prohibiting disability discrimination in federally funded programs) and Section 508 (ensuring accessible technology), while calling for continued efforts to address remaining barriers. It specifically urges Federal agencies to strengthen enforcement of accessibility standards and focus on equity for people with disabilities from underserved communities, including people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and those in rural or low-income areas.

Maddy summaryS 2932, the Housing ACCESS Act, requires the federal government to create guidance helping states connect Medicaid beneficiaries (people receiving medical assistance) with housing services. It directs agencies to simplify coordination between healthcare and housing providers, develop agreements aligning eligibility and outcomes tracking, and support housing providers in seeking Medicaid reimbursement. The bill also mandates a national study to set fair reimbursement rates for housing services, aiming to ensure living wages, reduce staff turnover, and maintain a 1:15 case manager-to-client ratio. States must report on progress within two years, focusing on racial equity in housing stability and health outcomes.