Rep. Jill N. Tokuda

Healthy Air Travel Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to establish an interagency task force to develop and implement a strategy to identify and advance research on communicable diseases in air travel. The task force must consult with representatives from the aviation industry, health experts, and labor stakeholders in developing the strategy. Under the bill, the term communicable disease refers to certain diseases that have the potential to cause a future epidemic or pandemic of infectious disease that would constitute a public health emergency of international concern as declared, after the date of the bill's enactment, by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for expenses related to "qualified access technology for the blind" under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) for costs paid for hardware, software, or IT that converts visual information into formats usable by blind individuals, covering the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent who is blind. The credit is limited to $2,000 over any three consecutive tax years per blind individual and expires after 2028. It directly affects blind individuals and their families who purchase qualifying assistive technology. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other tax deductions or credits.

Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act This bill preempts any state law that prohibits or restricts the purchase of real property by an individual based on the individual's citizenship.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Older Americans Act to better serve LGBTQI older adults (defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex individuals, and those living with HIV) by adding specific definitions and creating new support structures. It establishes an Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Administration on Aging, led by a Director and Assistant Director, to coordinate services, advocate for this community, and collect data on their challenges. The bill also creates a National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging to provide training and resources to organizations serving LGBTQI older adults and requires data collection on discrimination against them in long-term care settings. These changes aim to improve access to culturally competent services and address the unique needs of LGBTQI older adults through concrete policy updates.

Maddy summaryHR 3639, the After Hours Child Care Act, creates a new Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to improve access to child care for parents working nontraditional hours (such as evenings, nights, or weekends). The bill directly affects working parents with young children and eligible child care providers who serve these families. It authorizes competitive grants (ranging from $25,000 to $500,000) to providers or partnerships with businesses/community organizations to expand after-hours care programs, establish workplace child care, or improve existing facilities. Grantees must cover 25% of costs, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report biennially on program impact to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Sailor Standard of Care Act of 2023 requires the Navy to improve mental health support for service members designated for "limited duty" (temporarily restricted from full duties due to medical needs). It mandates quarterly mental health screenings for these members, additional medical staff in units with over 15 such personnel, and a framework for centralized care coordination during their limited duty period. The bill also directs the Navy to study multiple suicides within units, report on TRICARE mental health provider credentialing timelines and reimbursement rates, and establish a dashboard tracking quality-of-life program usage. These provisions directly affect active-duty Navy members in limited duty status and aim to address systemic gaps in mental health care access and response.

Maddy summaryHR 3610, the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, repeals specific sections (4067-4070) of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 from U.S. law. This bill removes the legal authority allowing the president to detain or deport non-citizens during wartime based on that historical statute. The repeal directly affects the federal legal framework governing emergency powers over non-citizens, eliminating a provision dating to the Quasi-War with France. The bill makes no new policy changes but formally removes this outdated legal mechanism from the U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits corporal punishment (such as spanking or paddling) in all schools receiving federal funding, directly affecting students, school personnel, and school administrators. It requires schools to notify parents within 24 hours if corporal punishment occurs and establishes enforcement through civil lawsuits by students/parents, Attorney General actions, and Office for Civil Rights oversight. The bill mandates states to submit school climate reports and develop training programs on positive behavioral interventions to reduce exclusionary discipline practices that disproportionately affect students of color, students with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. It creates a grant program to help schools implement these approaches, with priority given to schools with high suspension rates and disciplinary actions. The bill does not apply to private schools or home schools that don't receive federal funding.

Maddy summaryThe AIR PUMP Act requires airlines to provide nursing crew members (like flight attendants and pilots) with reasonable break time to express breast milk for up to one year after their child's birth, as well as a private, non-bathroom space for this purpose. It specifically excludes breaks during critical flight phases and ensures accommodations won't compromise safety, security, or require significant costs (e.g., aircraft modifications). The bill includes anti-retaliation protections for employees who request accommodations or file complaints, and enforces these requirements through the Department of Labor using existing Fair Labor Standards Act mechanisms. This directly affects airline employees who are nursing parents and their employers, aligning airline workplace policies with federal breastfeeding protections.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 47 is a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Senate to provide "advice and consent" for ratifying the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which the U.S. signed in 1993 but has never ratified. Currently, the U.S. participates only as an observer in CBD negotiations without voting rights, limiting its influence on global biodiversity policies that affect national security and economic interests. The resolution notes the U.S. is already legally compliant with the CBD’s obligations under existing law and is a top international conservation funder. It argues that ratification would restore U.S. voting power and alignment with global efforts to address biodiversity loss, which impacts all Americans.