(NewsNation) — As he prepares to leave office and make way for President-elect Donald Trump to return to the White House, President Joe Biden has been signing a flurry of legislation, with 50 bills signed on Christmas Eve.
Here are five of the most notable pieces of legislation:
Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act
Paris Hilton championed this bipartisan piece of legislation that looks to reform the “troubled teen” industry, particularly residential programs.
DHS rolls out new rules for skilled foreign workers on H-1B visas
Hilton has become an advocate for more regulations and shared her own traumatizing experience after being sent to a wilderness therapy program in Utah. She described being sexually abused, placed in solitary confinement, violently restrained and force-fed drugs when testifying before Congress.
The industry, where programs may be operated by those with no professional training in mental health or child development, has had little oversight, allowing programs to operate despite repeated allegations of abuse.
Bald eagle becomes national bird
This law may seem like something that should have already happened, but for nearly 250 years, the bird that has appeared as an emblem on everything from currency to the national seal, was not officially the national bird.
Indigenous only to North America, the bald eagle was once nearing extinction but has seen a population increase since 2009. It was also already protected under the National Emblem Act, which made it illegal sell or hunt the birds.
But now, after an effort spearheaded by Minnesota lawmakers, the bald eagle can now officially bear the title of national bird.
Native American Child Protection Act
This law increases resources for investigating and prosecuting domestic violence and child abuse and neglect in Native American communities.
UnitedHealthcare taught us ways to deny claims: Former employee
The legislation revises programs first put into place in the 1990s and includes provisions to create a national center to provide assistance and training to tribes and urban Indian groups as well as endorsing culturally appropriate treatment and resources.
Stop Campus Hazing Act
Colleges and universities will have to start collecting statistics and issuing public reports on hazing incidents on campus.
Victims’ families have been advocating for the legislation, which applies to athletic teams and clubs as well as fraternities and sororities.
The law will also require schools to provide hazing prevention programs for students and staff.
No CORRUPTION Act
Officially given the long title of No Congressional Obligated Recurring Revenue Used As Pensions to Incarcerated Officials Now Act, this law is bad news for lawmakers convicted of felonies involving corruption.
Why Trump is targeting Panama, Greenland, Canada
The legislation comes following the conviction of former Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., on felony charges including bribery.
It specifies that any member of Congress who is convicted of a felony related to corruption will immediately lose access to their pension. Previous legislation allowed former members to receive a pension until the appeals process was exhausted, something that can drag on for years.
