Rep. Shontel M. Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 3916 (My Body, My Data Act of 2025), requires businesses and other "regulated entities" to minimize collection and sharing of personal reproductive or sexual health data - such as pregnancy status, contraceptive use, or abortion-related information - and gives individuals specific rights. It mandates that entities provide individuals with easy access to their data, the ability to correct inaccuracies, and the right to request deletion of such information within 15 days. The law also requires clear privacy policies detailing data practices and prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise these rights, such as charging higher prices or denying services. It applies broadly to most businesses (excluding HIPAA-covered healthcare providers) and is enforced by the FTC with private lawsuits allowed for violations.

Maddy summaryHRES 493 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' view that the U.S. housing crisis requires urgent, coordinated action. It highlights a shortage of over 7 million affordable rental homes, cost-burdened renters (12 million spending over 50% of income on housing), and rising homelessness, disproportionately affecting communities of color, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. The resolution urges federal, state, and local governments to prioritize expanding affordable housing supply, preserving existing units, and strengthening rental assistance programs. It also encourages private and nonprofit partnerships to develop community-responsive housing solutions. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally calls for policy alignment across all levels of government to address housing affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private firearm transfers between individuals to go through a licensed dealer who must conduct a background check. It applies to most private sales but includes exceptions for transfers between family members (like parents and children), law enforcement, emergencies preventing harm, and temporary loans at shooting ranges or for hunting. Dealers must provide background check notices in both English and Spanish. The law aims to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms through private transactions while maintaining existing state authority on firearm laws.

Maddy summaryHR 3868, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025, modifies federal firearm background check procedures to address delays. It requires federal firearms licensees to wait 10 business days after a background check query if the system doesn’t immediately flag a transfer, unless the buyer submits an electronic petition confirming they aren’t prohibited from owning firearms. The petition process includes a 10-day response deadline from the Attorney General, with licensees allowed to proceed if the system remains silent after 10 days. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports from the FBI on petition delays and GAO reports on implementation, focusing on how these changes affect firearm transfers to prohibited individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 3815, the True Justice Act of 2025, establishes a federal grant program to fund public defense services for individuals arrested in criminal cases. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to states, local governments, and tribal organizations to cover legal representation at all post-arrest proceedings (including initial appearances) and to fund training for public defenders and court-appointed attorneys. It allocates $50 million annually from 2026-2030 for these grants, with funding amounts based on the size of the justice system and technology/training needs. The bill directly affects people facing criminal charges who require counsel and the public defender systems serving them.

Maddy summaryHR 3749, the HER Act, directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund research on how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (chemicals that interfere with hormones) in personal care products affect women’s reproductive health. It provides federal grants for scientific research and requires states to receive funding for investigating these chemicals and running public awareness campaigns about safer alternatives. Every five years, the Department must publish reports detailing research findings, listing safe/harmful products, and suggesting ways to expand FDA regulation of harmful ingredients. This bill directly affects women’s health researchers, state health agencies, and consumers seeking safer personal care products, while aiming to inform future regulatory action.

Maddy summaryHR 3775, the AI Training Extension Act of 2025, expands mandatory AI training requirements for federal employees. It directly affects staff in acquisition roles, data/technology positions, management, and supervisory roles across executive agencies. The bill updates training content to cover AI capabilities, risks, benefits to government, and data's role in AI systems, while allowing agencies to incorporate existing training programs. This procedural extension modifies the existing "Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act" to broaden its scope and update training standards.

Maddy summaryHR 3757, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025, provides $20 million annually (2026-2030) to fund grants for mental health services targeting LGBTQ+ youth, including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit youth, and their families/caregivers. The bill mandates grantees to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training, school bullying prevention guidelines, and evidence-based practices while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for conversion therapy or its promotion. It also requires the federal government to restore mental health reports on LGBTQ+ youth, conduct a national survey measuring mental health distress, and produce a report on mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. The law directly affects these youth populations by expanding access to tailored mental health resources and data collection, with funding administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals key provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which previously shielded gun manufacturers and dealers from civil lawsuits. It allows gun trace data from the federal Firearms Trace System to be used as evidence in civil court cases involving gun violence. Victims of gun violence (or their families) who sue gun manufacturers, dealers, or distributors in state or federal court can now access and rely on this trace information. The bill directly changes the legal landscape by removing a major barrier to holding gun industry entities accountable in civil cases. It does not alter criminal proceedings or affect gun ownership rights.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 457) is a symbolic measure expressing congressional support for designating June 6, 2025, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2025 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or policies but encourages public awareness through specific actions: wearing orange on June 6, focusing on gun safety during summer months, and holding community discussions. The resolution references statistics on gun violence deaths and honors Hadiya Pendleton, a teen victim killed in 2013. It directly affects the public by calling for voluntary observance and community engagement, not government mandates.