Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryThe Outdoors for All Act establishes a federal grant program to fund outdoor recreation projects in underserved communities. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to eligible entities (like states, cities, tribal organizations, or nonprofits) for acquiring land, developing parks, or renovating outdoor facilities in qualifying urban areas (population 25,000+ or tribal lands) or low-income communities (where 30%+ of residents have incomes at or below 80% of local median income or 200% of the federal poverty line). Grants require a 100% cash or in-kind match (with limited waivers), prohibit funding for indoor facilities or maintenance, and prioritize projects enhancing park access, engaging youth, creating jobs, or improving environmental benefits like reducing urban heat islands. The program mandates annual reporting and focuses on concrete community outcomes rather than speculative results.

Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act of 2023 or the EAGLE Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Justice to provide grants to eligible local law enforcement agencies for activities related to obtaining qualified accreditation or recertification. Such accreditation or recertification shall be provided by a professional law enforcement organization involved in developing standards for law enforcement at the national, state, regional, or tribal level, such as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Maddy summaryThe Dental and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 (DOC Access Act) requires health insurance plans covering dental and vision care to allow providers (like dentists and optometrists) to charge patients the usual and customary rate for uncovered services, with a specific rule limiting dental cleanings to the network fee even if it exceeds annual coverage limits. It prohibits plans from restricting providers' choices of laboratories or suppliers for patient care. This law directly affects dental and vision care providers and the health insurance plans that offer these services. The bill establishes concrete billing and coverage standards to improve access to necessary dental and vision care.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes federal restrictions that previously limited methadone prescribing for opioid use disorder, allowing certified addiction specialists and program employees to prescribe methadone through pharmacies for up to 30 days per electronic prescription. It directly affects patients with opioid use disorder who can now access treatment more flexibly outside traditional clinic settings, and healthcare providers who gain new prescribing authority. Key provisions include requiring electronic prescriptions, mandating patient informed consent about confidentiality differences, and permitting telehealth for counseling and ancillary services. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress tracking registered providers and patients served.

Maddy summaryHR 1375, the EFFECTIVE Act, requires the FDA to deny approval for new opioid pain medications unless they demonstrate a significant safety or effectiveness advantage over existing opioid drugs. This directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing new opioid analgesics by raising the approval standard. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to mandate that the FDA Secretary must determine if a new opioid offers meaningful benefits before granting approval. It does not change approval for non-opioid drugs or existing opioid medications.

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 17) strengthens equal pay protections by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It prohibits pay discrimination based on sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The bill modifies employer defenses for pay differences to require demonstration that any disparity is job-related, consistent with business necessity, and accounts for the entire pay differential. It also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when making hiring decisions or setting pay, enhances penalties for violations, and requires the EEOC to collect compensation data disaggregated by sex, race, and national origin.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThe STEM RESTART Act creates a federal grant program to help mid-career workers, particularly women and people from underrepresented racial groups, return to STEM careers. It provides funding for small and medium-sized businesses to establish "returnship" programs that offer above-entry-level positions with full benefits for 10 weeks or more. The program requires grantees to track participants' demographics and employment outcomes, with $50 million authorized annually from 2024-2028. These returnships must provide compensation equivalent to full-time employees with similar experience, including benefits like health care and child care. The bill targets workers who left the workforce but want to return, especially those from rural areas or underrepresented populations.

Maddy summaryHR 1424 extends higher federal reimbursement rates for school breakfasts, lunches, and child care meals through the 2023-2024 school year, directly affecting public schools and child care providers participating in federal meal programs. The bill modifies the Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 to maintain current funding levels beyond the original 2022-2023 period. It also requires the USDA to research and implement recommendations from a study on reducing administrative burdens, including creating a single online resource for meal program guidance and developing plans to simplify eligibility applications using unified forms or census data. These changes aim to streamline operations for schools and child care institutions managing federal meal programs.