Rep. Troy A. Carter

Veterans Mental and Behavioral Health Quality of Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use an independent and objective outside organization to study the difference in the quality of care between behavioral and mental health care provided by VA providers and care provided by non-VA providers.

Maddy summaryHR 4466 would rename the National School Lunch Program Act from "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act" to "Jean E. Fairfax National School Lunch Act" to honor Jean E. Fairfax, a civil rights activist who advocated for equitable access to the program. The bill would update this name in the law and over 40 other federal statutes referencing the current title, but does not alter the program's operations, funding, or eligibility. It directly affects legal references in federal law without changing how the program serves students.

Maddy summaryHRES 566 is a non-binding resolution introduced by Representative Correa in 2023 that expresses the House of Representatives' support for recognizing and encouraging everyday acts of kindness as a means to strengthen community bonds and societal resilience. It does not create new laws or policies but symbolically affirms that kindness - defined as selfless actions without expectation of return - can improve social connections, health, and conflict resolution. The resolution serves as a statement of shared values rather than a concrete policy change.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution; (2) LGBTQIA+ Pride Month should be celebrated; and (3) all Americans should be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation, sex characteristics, or gender identity.

Maddy summaryHRES 561 is a non-binding House resolution opposing state laws that criminalize access to essential health care. It specifically condemns using criminal penalties against people for pregnancy outcomes (such as miscarriages), seeking abortion or contraception, or receiving gender-affirming care, and disapproves of punishing health care providers or supporters for facilitating such care. The resolution affirms that patients deserve access to reproductive and gender-affirming health services without fear of prosecution or discrimination. It emphasizes that criminalizing these health care decisions violates patient rights and ethical provider obligations, without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants in federal criminal cases from using a victim's LGBTQ+ identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression) as a legal excuse for violence or to reduce sentences - a practice known as the "LGBTQ+ panic defense." It specifically bans arguments that a "nonviolent sexual advance or perception" of the victim's identity justified the crime, while allowing evidence of the defendant's past trauma under standard evidence rules. The law directly affects federal criminal trials where defendants attempt to justify violence against LGBTQ+ victims using prejudice-based excuses. It also requires the Attorney General to report annually on federal prosecutions involving bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 4422 (Global Respect Act) requires the President to publicly identify foreign officials responsible for violence, torture, or arbitrary detention against LGBTQI individuals and block their entry to the U.S., including revoking visas for them and their immediate families. It mandates annual reporting to Congress on the list of sanctioned individuals, the reasons for additions/removals, and efforts to coordinate with other countries on similar sanctions. The bill also updates U.S. human rights reporting requirements to explicitly include data on violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people worldwide. These measures aim to increase accountability for human rights violations against LGBTQI individuals without advocating for specific policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 4371, the School Sports Safety Study Act, directs the CDC (through the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to study the causes of deaths and catastrophic injuries in high school and collegiate sports, with input from coaches, parents, and medical professionals. The study will review existing research, evaluate AED and CPR effectiveness, and develop specific prevention recommendations for schools, coaches, and medical protocols. These recommendations will be shared with all U.S. high schools and colleges, and the CDC must submit a final report to Congress within 18 months of the bill’s enactment. The bill does not mandate new rules but aims to inform future safety efforts based on evidence.

Maddy summaryHR 4340, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2023, prohibits paid providers from offering conversion therapy - defined as any commercial service attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity - and bans advertising that claims such therapy is effective or harmless. It directly affects therapists, counselors, or organizations offering paid conversion therapy services, including those advertising such services. Key provisions make it unlawful to provide, advertise, or facilitate paid conversion therapy, with enforcement led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under consumer protection laws and allowing states to pursue civil actions. The bill explicitly excludes supportive care for gender transition or identity exploration from its definition of prohibited therapy.

National Nursing Shortage Task Force Act of 2023 This bill establishes a National Nursing Shortage Task Force to recommend policies for addressing the nursing shortage in the United States, particularly in designated health professional shortage areas. The task force terminates 90 days after it submits its recommendations.