Rep. Nikki Budzinski

Maddy summaryThe Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025 would establish a federal grant program to fund school-based mental health services for students in grades K-12, particularly those experiencing trauma, grief, suicide risk, or violence. It directly affects schools (including Bureau of Indian Education schools), students, and community mental health providers through partnerships that must include school districts and local mental health entities. Key provisions require services to be culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and integrated with positive behavioral supports, with grants capped at $2 million per award for 5 years (renewable) and funded at $300 million annually for 2027-2028. Recipients must report annually on program outcomes, ensure equitable access across urban and rural areas, and comply with privacy laws like HIPAA and FERPA.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health plans and insurers to create a clear, timely process for patients or doctors to request exceptions when step therapy protocols (which force patients to try cheaper drugs first) might harm them. It mandates approval for exceptions in six specific cases, such as when prior treatments failed, delaying care risks severe harm, or the required drug causes adverse reactions. Plans must respond within 72 hours (24 hours for emergencies) and cover the requested drug for at least one year if approved. Additionally, health plans must report annual data on exception requests, approvals, denials, and reasons to the government for transparency.

Maddy summaryThe HEADACHE Act establishes a National Headache Disorders Initiative (NHDI) under the Department of Health and Human Services to address conditions like migraines, cluster headaches, and other headache disorders affecting vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, and older adults. It creates an Advisory Council with patient advocates, healthcare providers, and federal agency representatives to guide research, improve diagnosis protocols, and reduce disparities in care. The bill requires federal agencies to share headache-related data and mandates an annual congressional report evaluating progress, disparities across demographics, and recommendations for better access to treatment and stigma reduction, with the initiative set to expire after five years.

Maddy summaryThe Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 ensures continued operation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs during government funding gaps. It allows the FAA to use unspent funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to maintain critical services - including air traffic control, airport infrastructure, and safety research - at the previous fiscal year's funding level if Congress fails to pass a new budget. This prevents shutdowns for up to 30 days or until a new budget is enacted, with spending limited to prior-year rates and subject to existing program rules. The bill directly affects all FAA operations, keeping airports and air traffic systems running during budget delays.

Maddy summaryHRES 746 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning all political violence - including attacks on elected officials, candidates, and public figures - and rejecting rhetoric that dehumanizes opponents. It specifically urges law enforcement to investigate and prosecute such violence, calls on public officials and media to avoid inflammatory language, and references recent incidents like the 2025 assassination of activist Charlie Kirk and targeted shootings of Minnesota legislators. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses the House’s commitment to protecting public servants and promoting peaceful political discourse. It directly affects the House’s public stance and serves as a call to action for officials, media, and communities to foster civil engagement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the federal tax code to exclude certain overtime pay from taxable income. It directly affects workers who earn overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or through specific employer-employee agreements meeting defined conditions (like exceeding 40 hours per week or railway work standards). The key provision defines "qualified overtime compensation" to exclude this pay from federal income tax calculations. The change applies to tax returns filed for 2025 and later. This creates a concrete tax exemption for qualifying overtime earnings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and CHIP to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles). It applies to vaccines recommended as of October 25, 2024, including updates through 2029, and covers all such vaccines for the period starting when the bill is enacted until December 31, 2029. The requirement excludes vaccines given within minimum recommended intervals. It directly affects patients, insurers, and government health programs by ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for covered vaccines during this timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $5 million annually (2026-2030) to states for collecting de-identified stillbirth data through existing health systems, including risk factor analysis. It also provides $1 million yearly to develop standardized guidelines for healthcare providers and public educational materials about stillbirths, requiring consultation with medical professionals, bereavement organizations, and affected families. The bill mandates that all data collection complies with privacy laws and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a public report on stillbirth guidelines within five years. It directly affects state health departments, healthcare providers, and families experiencing stillbirth by improving data quality and access to resources.

Maddy summaryThe Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025 requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to create and distribute clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or religion. These policies must explicitly prohibit harassment in all settings - including online, on campus, off-campus housing, and during school-sponsored activities - and outline reporting procedures and support services for victims. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund schools developing prevention programs, victim support services, or staff/student training on recognizing and addressing harassment. Grants are competitive, require annual reporting on effectiveness, and must be used to improve existing efforts without replacing existing civil rights laws like Title IX.

Maddy summaryHR 5476, the PARA Educators Act, provides federal grants to states to help recruit and retain school support staff (paraprofessionals) in public elementary, secondary, and preschool programs. It allocates funds based on previous Title I education funding, requiring states to prioritize schools serving high numbers of low-income students or those meeting specific poverty criteria. States can use the funds for proven programs like mentoring for paraprofessionals, professional development, helping staff earn credentials (e.g., special education or English learner certificates), and increasing wages or offering retention bonuses. The law mandates annual reporting on wage baselines, paraprofessional employment, and program outcomes. This bill directly affects paraprofessionals and the schools they support, particularly in high-poverty communities.