Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryHR 3073 creates a federal grant program to fund community-based mental wellness and resilience initiatives. It provides planning grants (up to $250,000) for organizations to form community networks and assess needs, followed by program grants (up to $500,000 annually for 4 years) to implement evidence-based programs. The bill requires grantees to use a public health approach, collect community input, and develop strategic plans addressing protective factors and risk factors for mental wellness. At least 20% of funds must support rural communities, and programs must involve diverse community groups like schools, faith organizations, health professionals, and local government. The bill authorizes $36 million over 2024-2028 to support these community-led efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a restriction that previously barred people in jail or prison while awaiting trial from receiving Medicaid health benefits. It directly affects individuals in custody pending legal proceedings by allowing states to provide Medicaid coverage for their medical care during this time. The bill also allocates $50 million in planning grants to help states develop systems to enroll these individuals, recruit healthcare providers who can serve them, and establish electronic billing for services provided in correctional facilities or through outpatient care. Key provisions require states to assess healthcare needs, eliminate policy barriers, and create plans to increase provider participation in Medicaid for this population.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Banking Act of 2023 would protect banks and financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses and hemp-related businesses by preventing federal regulators from taking adverse actions against them solely for serving these businesses. It clarifies that income from state-legal marijuana businesses can be considered for mortgage applications, and requires regulators to update guidance on suspicious activity reports related to these businesses. The bill does not require financial institutions to serve these businesses, but ensures they won't face penalties for doing so. It extends similar protections to hemp-related businesses, which have faced banking challenges despite being federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Maddy summaryHR 3055 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to expand the definition of "specialized instructional support personnel" to include more mental health professionals. This change directly affects public schools receiving federal funding under the ESEA by allowing school psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and other qualified mental health providers to count toward staffing requirements. The key mechanism is a specific amendment to Section 8101(47)(A)(i) of the ESEA, broadening the list of eligible professionals who can provide mental health services. The bill does not create new programs or funding but adjusts existing definitions to facilitate greater access to diverse mental health support for students.

Maddy summaryThe Postal Police Reform Act of 2023 updates federal law to explicitly include "Postal Service police officers" alongside Postal Inspectors as authorized personnel for enforcing regulations on U.S. Postal Service property. It clarifies that the Postmaster General can establish and post rules for protecting postal property, with violations punishable by fines or up to 30 days in jail. This change directly affects USPS police officers (by formalizing their role), the Postmaster General (by expanding regulatory authority), and anyone on postal property who must follow posted rules. The bill makes existing enforcement procedures more explicit without altering penalties or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination by prohibiting life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums, or altering policy terms solely because someone donated an organ while alive. It also updates the Family and Medical Leave Act to include recovery from organ donation surgery as a qualifying health condition, allowing donors to take protected leave for this purpose. Additionally, the bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about living donation benefits, risks, and insurance protections within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect living organ donors, insurers, employers, and healthcare systems by ensuring fair access to insurance and workplace leave.

Maddy summaryThe PREPARE Act establishes a new pre-disaster mitigation loan program for small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA). It authorizes $25 million annually from 2024 to 2028 to provide loans of up to $500,000 per business, enabling small businesses to fund projects that protect their property and operations from disaster damage (e.g., flood barriers or structural reinforcements). The SBA must conduct targeted outreach to businesses in economically distressed areas, offer technical assistance, and require borrowers to maintain insurance during loan terms. Annual reports will track program outcomes, including project types, cost savings avoided, and regional impacts, to evaluate effectiveness.

Fresh Start Act of 2023 This bill allows grants under the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) to be used to implement a state law that provides for the automatic expungement or sealing of certain criminal records. The NCHIP provides grants to state and tribal governments to enhance the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and ensure the implementation of effective background check systems.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 330) is a symbolic measure supporting the annual designation of the week of April 23-29, 2023, as "National Crime Victims' Rights Week." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally recognizes the importance of crime victims' rights and highlights the 2023 theme, "Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change," which focuses on amplifying survivors' perspectives in policy and support systems. The resolution expresses the House's commitment to honoring victims, supporting victim assistance organizations, and promoting existing federal programs like the Victims of Crime Act. It has no direct effect on individuals or policy changes beyond raising awareness.

Maddy summaryHR 2918, the Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2023, amends the Fair Housing Act to explicitly protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking from housing discrimination. It adds "survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe forms of trafficking" as a protected class under the law, prohibiting landlords and housing providers from refusing to rent, evicting, or charging more based on this status. The bill also clarifies that discrimination based on survivor status - including denial of housing due to protective orders, shelter stays, or prior incidents - is illegal. This directly affects survivors who face barriers like denied rentals, evictions, or higher costs when seeking safe housing, addressing documented discrimination reported by 67% of survivors in New York studies. The law preserves survivors' ability to pursue other discrimination claims under the Fair Housing Act.