Sen. Jon Ossoff

Maddy summaryThe Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act requires the Justice Department's Inspector General to review how often Bureau of Prisons staff face sexual harassment or assault by inmates, including analyzing past punishments used over the last five years. Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Inspector General must complete this review and submit a report to Congress and the Attorney General within 180 days. Based on the report, the Attorney General will then establish national standards for preventing and addressing such incidents against prison staff within one year. This process aims to improve safety protocols for correctional officers and other Bureau of Prisons employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to increase funding flexibility for victim services. It raises the maximum percentage of funds that can cover administrative costs from 3% to 7% and increases direct service funding caps from 5% to 10%, while adding language to strengthen program budgeting. The bill also adds a new anti-discrimination provision banning exclusion or denial of benefits based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in any program funded by these grants. These changes directly affect federal grant programs providing support to victims of severe human trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires annual reports on efforts to counter illicit cross-border tunnels, mandated after the development of a strategic plan. It amends the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act to add this reporting requirement for agencies managing border security operations. The bill does not create new policy but establishes a recurring reporting obligation. It directly affects federal agencies responsible for border security and counter-smuggling operations.

Maddy summaryThe Securing America’s Federal Equipment Supply Chains Act (S 4651) requires U.S. federal agencies to only procure or use covered information and communications technology products (including hardware, software, and firmware) from the original equipment manufacturer or an authorized reseller. This rule aims to secure federal supply chains by limiting purchases from unvetted suppliers, directly affecting federal agencies and their technology vendors. Agencies may request limited waivers for national security needs or scientific research, but must provide detailed justifications, security mitigations, and report all waivers to Congress annually. The law takes effect one year after enactment, with ongoing reporting requirements for six years.

Maddy summaryThe "Bring Our Heroes Home Act" creates a system to identify, collect, and make publicly available records about missing military personnel and civilian personnel who went missing between December 7, 1941, and the bill's enactment date. It requires federal agencies to identify and transmit these records to the National Archives within 180 days (with full completion within one year), and establishes a Review Board to oversee the process and make decisions about disclosure. The bill creates a presumption that such records should be declassified and made public, with only narrow exceptions for national security or privacy concerns, and mandates periodic reviews of any records that remain withheld. This primarily affects federal agencies that hold records related to missing military personnel and civilian personnel, aiming to provide families and the public with greater access to information about missing individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal grants to state child protective services agencies that already require recording all interviews about child abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. The grants cover costs for recording (via audio, body cameras, or other methods), securely storing recordings for five years, and restricting access to investigators only - prohibiting release to caregivers or guardians. Agencies must follow state protocols for secure storage, access controls, and penalties for unauthorized disclosure. The law does not mandate new recording requirements but funds existing state practices through existing Department of Justice resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to expand federal grant eligibility for youth sports facilities. It directly affects communities in rural areas, low-income neighborhoods, and regions with high opioid use or violence by prioritizing funding for projects that improve access to recreational spaces for children. Key mechanisms include adding seven new considerations for grant awards, such as addressing sedentary lifestyles, benefiting underserved communities lacking facilities, and promoting economic development through youth sports infrastructure. The bill does not create new funding but modifies existing grant criteria to prioritize these specific community needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Births in Custody Reporting Act of 2024 (BCRA), requires states to submit quarterly anonymized reports to the federal government about pregnant individuals in state and local correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and contract facilities). Reports must include specific data such as pregnancy outcomes (live birth, miscarriage, etc.), access to prenatal care within 7 days, restraint use during pregnancy/delivery, and postpartum mental health screenings. States failing to comply risk losing up to 10% of federal law enforcement funding under the Omnibus Crime Control Act. The Attorney General must publish all reports and conduct a study on the data to improve care standards for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire at least 600 additional officers annually until staffing targets are met, plus support staff for administrative functions. It mandates a report identifying infrastructure improvements at ports of entry to enhance drug interdiction (specifically for opioids), including detection equipment and officer safety gear. CBP must submit quarterly reports on temporary staff reassignments, notify port directors before redeployments, and provide annual updates on staffing progress and agreement assessments. The bill authorizes $136 million for fiscal year 2024 and $157 million annually through 2029 to fund these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.