Maddy summaryThis bill extends Social Security child benefits for students enrolled in qualifying post-secondary education until age 26, rather than the previous age limit of 19. It directly affects children of Social Security beneficiaries who are in at least half-time attendance at colleges, universities, or specific transition programs (like those for students with disabilities). The key provision defines "qualifying post-secondary school student" and allows benefits to continue through the end of a semester or quarter if a student turns 26 during their studies. It also clarifies the transition from high school to post-secondary education and adds specific definitions for related terms. The changes apply to applications filed 18 months after the bill's enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe CHILD Labor Act strengthens protections against child labor by defining "oppressive child labor" to include specific dangerous occupations for children under 18, such as manufacturing, mining, trenching, and meat processing. It prohibits Federal contractors from employing children under 16 in any work and restricts 16-17 year olds from hazardous occupations, requiring contractors to implement training programs and establish labor-management committees to monitor compliance. The bill significantly increases penalties for violations, including civil fines up to $750,000 for violations causing death or serious injury, and adds criminal penalties for willful violations. It also requires the Department of Labor to issue "child labor tags" for goods produced with prohibited child labor and submit annual reports to Congress on work-related injuries and deaths.
Maddy summarySRES 433 is a Senate resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge's establishment in 1943. It formally recognizes the refuge's ecological importance, including its role in protecting migratory birds, habitats, and biodiversity across Vermont. The resolution resolves to support the National Wildlife Refuge System by advocating for necessary funding and staffing to conserve wildlife and maintain public access. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any specific group, but honors the refuge's legacy and its significance to Vermont's environment and communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes unemployment insurance by establishing minimum benefit levels (26 weeks of coverage, 75% wage replacement, and a $250 weekly jobseeker allowance), eliminating waiting periods, and expanding eligibility for workers affected by harassment, domestic violence, or medical emergencies. It creates new triggers for extended benefits during recessions and increases available weeks during high unemployment periods, with potential additional weeks based on unemployment rates. The bill requires states to implement these changes by January 2025 or earlier, directly affecting unemployed workers, their families, and state unemployment insurance programs nationwide. It also establishes a new jobseeker allowance program with potential increases during economic downturns.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to limit corporate deductions for certain high executive compensation. It broadens the definition of "covered individual" to include executives who performed services for a company after 2022, not just current top officers, and requires publicly traded companies to file specific reports about executive pay. Companies can no longer deduct compensation paid to these individuals if it exceeds $1 million in a year, unless it's performance-based. The changes apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2022, and give the IRS authority to prevent companies from avoiding these rules through third-party arrangements. The bill directly affects publicly traded corporations that pay significant bonuses to executives.
Maddy summary# Summary of the Protecting Communities from Plastics Act This comprehensive legislation aims to address the environmental and health impacts of plastic production and pollution through several key provisions: ## Core Focus Areas 1. **Environmental Justice Protections** - Requires environmental justice assessments for permits to new plastic facilities - Mandates consultation with fenceline communities (communities near plastic facilities) - Requires community benefit agreements for permitted facilities - Establishes requirements for real-time air and water quality monitoring 2. **Stricter Regulations for Plastic Facilities** - Prohibits new permits for covered plastic facilities during a temporary pause period - Requires new air and water pollution standards for plastic production facilities - Implements stricter emissions controls (including for benzene, VOCs, and flaring) - Requires continuous emissions monitoring for all combustion devices 3. **Toxic Substances Regulation** - Mandates an inventory of plastic manufacturing and distribution - Requires reporting on plastic chemicals and their health impacts - Prioritizes toxic chemicals like styrene and vinyl chloride for regulation 4. **Plastic Waste Management** - Prohibits exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries - Requires hazardous waste designation for discarded polyvinyl chloride - Limits plastic pellet discharge into waterways 5. **Microplastics Research** - Mandates studies on microplastics in food and the environment - Establishes a pilot program to test microplastic removal technologies - Requires research on microplastics in human bodies 6. **Agricultural Plastic Reduction** - Promotes biodegradable alternatives to plastic weed barriers - Creates grants for reducing single-use plastics in agricultural packaging The legislation establishes a comprehensive framework to reduce plastic pollution at every stage of the plastic lifecycle, with particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by plastic production and pollution. It represents a significant regulatory shift toward holding plastic producers accountable for the environmental and health impacts of their products.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes two pilot nursery programs on federal lands to support conservation efforts. The Department of the Interior will establish nurseries in 4 Western states plus one non-Western state, while the Forest Service will do the same on National Forest lands, using funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The nurseries will grow trees for conservation planting, store equipment, partner with non-federal groups, and support research on carbon sequestration, soil erosion prevention, and water/air quality improvement. These programs must align with existing land management strategies and require no new federal funding. The initiative directly affects federal land management agencies and their conservation planning on public lands.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) by raising the federal share (FMAP) by 10 percentage points for states during 2024-2025, capped at 95%. States must apply with plans to use these funds to increase wages and benefits for home care workers (like paid leave and hazard pay), reduce waiting lists for services, help people return from institutional settings, and cover related costs like equipment or training. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing state spending and be reported on by states by 2027. It directly affects states administering Medicaid HCBS programs, home care workers, and people receiving community-based care.
Maddy summaryThe Safe Schools Improvement Act (S 3105) requires states receiving federal education funding to mandate public elementary and secondary schools to adopt comprehensive anti-bullying policies. These policies must prohibit bullying based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, disability, or religion, include annual parent/student notices, establish complaint procedures, and collect anonymized data on incidents. Schools must publicly report annual data on bullying frequency at the school and district levels. The law also requires states to submit biennial reports on implementation and triggers a federal evaluation to assess the policy's impact on reducing bullying. It explicitly states the law supplements, but does not replace, existing civil rights protections like Title IX.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Medicaid program specifically for disaster survivors, creating a 2-year "relief coverage period" starting from when a major disaster is declared by the President. It simplifies enrollment by removing documentation requirements, allowing survivors to self-attest to eligibility based on income (up to 133% of poverty line or home state standard), and providing continuous coverage without redeterminations during the relief period. The program includes special provisions for mental health services, home and community-based care, and retroactive coverage for medical services provided during the disaster. It also provides 100% federal funding for this coverage, with states required to provide medical assistance equal to what would be available under their regular Medicaid program.