This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning social advocacy issues. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Legislative Updates

Bill to Amend Medical Child Support Orders in Health Plans Introduced

Bill 8164 proposes changes to the Public Health Service Act and federal benefits programs to require health plans and insurance issuers to comply with standards for medical child support orders. The bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act Referred to Committees

Bill 8158, the Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act, seeks to establish statutory leave protections related to reproductive health. The legislation is under review by the Committees on Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, and Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Affordable Housing Development Demonstration Program Bill Filed

Bill 8171 directs HUD to launch a demonstration program focusing on workforce and affordable housing in expanding job markets. The bill was referred to the Committees on Financial Services and Appropriations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Eviction Prevention and Legal Aid Grant Bill Moves Forward

Bill 8185 would establish a federal eviction database, create new eviction prevention and legal aid grant programs, and restrict the use of housing court records in consumer reports. The measure was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Food Assistance Expansion for Animal Protein Purchases Introduced

Bill 8165 amends the Food and Nutrition Act to increase purchases of animal protein included in food aid distributed under the Emergency Food Assistance Act for FY2026 and FY2027. This bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

New York Awards Grants for Community World Cup Projects

Governor Hochul announced 12 community-led projects statewide will receive over $371,000 in grants for public events linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supporting economic activity and local engagement.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

California Connects First Tribal Community to State Broadband Network

Governor Newsom celebrated the first connection of the Bishop Paiute Tribe to California’s public broadband network, prioritizing digital infrastructure expansion for under-served and rural communities.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Illinois Doubles Site Readiness Program Funding to $60 Million

Governor Pritzker and the Department of Commerce announced another $30 million for the Regional Site Readiness Program, extending grants to support site development for economic growth across Illinois.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

Ohio Declares April as Fraud Prevention Month

Governor DeWine proclaimed April as Fraud Prevention Month, encouraging consumer protection, agency oversight, and public education on fraud and program integrity.

Sources: governor.ohio.gov

Texas Governor Appoints Members to Correctional and Special Education Committees

Governor Abbott named appointees to several advisory committees addressing medical and mental impairment in the justice system, special education, and healthcare services within Texas criminal justice.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The Force Behind the March Labor Report: Healthcare Jobs: Healthcare hiring drove much of the gains in the March labor report according to the Wall Street Journal.
• Opinion | Democrats vs. the Freedom Foundation: This opinion discusses the political dynamics between public unions and the Freedom Foundation in select states.
• 🔮 Exponential View #567: The rewiring of work; Development 2.0; Texas storage, AI microdrama, Hollywood++: Exponential View covers trends on work's transformation, storage in Texas, and developments in AI and Hollywood.

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