ho ho ho-ly moly that’s a lot of U.S. legislation

Trumps’ tax filings may have been a major story of his presidency, but there’s much more than meets the eye. The Protecting Our Democracy Act would enforce greater transparency from presidents by strengthening congressional checks and balances on executive power. This could include disclosing conversations between the White House and government agencies such as the justice department.

For further inclusions, head to Protect Democracy.

Reducing carbon emissions has proven to be one of the biggest levers we have towards a stronger climate future. Carbon markets, for example, were introduced to encourage companies and countries alike to reduce their carbon emissions. Problem is, proper incentives were never put in place to ensure farmers played their part. That’s why the Growing Climate Solutions Act would make it easier for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners to participate in carbon markets. The bill seeks to reduce barriers to entry by offering a fair share of the carbon credit revenue generated.

Details of the program and eligibility are still being ironed out, but you can learn more from Farm Progress.

Paid maternity leave has been one of the great promises of high-growth technology companies, but it’s important for all Americans to have equitable access. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would promote women’s health and economic security by requiring companies with over 15 employees to have reasonable accommodations for pregnant job applicants and employees. It also makes it unlawful for employers to force an employee out or retaliate against them for requesting accommodations due to pregnancy.

To understand the specifics, check out National Partnership.

It might sound obvious that federal judges are not allowed to hear cases in which they themselves or a member of their immediate family holds financial interest. However, a Wall Street Journal report found that more than 130 federal judges failed to remove themselves from such cases between 2010 and 2018. The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act would enact guidelines and additional requirements that would make it easier to audit the cases of federal judges to catch conflicts of interests.

Stay tuned for a summary from Congress.gov.

Over the years, our team has sadly read far too many stories of sexual abuse in schools. Some Democratic Illinois lawmakers want to adopt more comprehensive sex education standards that would help students learn to detect sexual abuse, reduce sexual stigmas, and embrace gender and sexual fluidity. If passed, the state would then be responsible for developing, maintaining, and publicizing the standards.

To learn more, refer to Bill Track 50.

Economic hardship, divorced parents, and racial discrmination are just a few examples of what falls under the definition of ACE (adverse childhood experiences). Such experiences can shape a child’s life through adulthood, which is why Georgia seeks to appoint a committee of five representatives who would research the negative effects of ACE. They would then file their significant learnings and recommendations for legislation. Learn more from the complete bill here.

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic placed a heavy strain on educators nationwide. To combat the overall shortage of early childhood educators, this bill would establish a stipend program to support the workplace development of educators in Hawai’i. The program would provide more financial security for an occupation traditionally paid the least in comparison to other occupations.

Learn more at Bill Track 50.

Although considered a controversial approach to combating the U.S.’ drug epidemic by some, select progressive politicians continue to uphold the idea that safe drug use is essential to overall recovery. This bill would authorize three California cities to operate such overdose prevention centers as safe spaces for people to receive and use pre-obtained drugs without fear of consequence. The bill sites studies that suggest such spaces would, for example, reduce deaths and the spread of bloodborne diseases.

Learn more in the California Globe.

Did you know research suggests that children who are suspended in preschool are more likely to drop out of high school and end up incarcerated? This bill would ban state-subsidized preschools and childcare programs from unenrolling students due to behavior, which disproportionately affects Black and Latinx children (especially boys). In lieu of these disciplinary measures, California requires daycare facilities to “utilize positive, age-appropriate behavior management strategies.” With the additional responsibility, the bill would provide educators with access to free mental health consultations (for those who follow the bill’s guidelines).

Dig into more of the research behind this bill at EdSource.