Rep. Jasmine Crockett

Maddy summaryHR 6298, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, prohibits the detention of pregnant, lactating, or postpartum noncitizens in immigration custody, requiring their immediate release except in narrow cases involving an immediate threat to safety. It bans the use of restraints during labor, delivery, and postpartum care, except under strict conditions with documented justification, and mandates access to comprehensive reproductive health services including abortion. Detention facilities must conduct biweekly reviews to reassess detention needs and report detailed data on restraint use, detention lengths, and pregnancy outcomes. The bill applies directly to pregnant noncitizens held under U.S. immigration law and requires training for DHS staff on its provisions.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 815 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for recognizing October 26, 2023, as "Intersex Awareness Day," which commemorates the 1996 demonstration by intersex individuals and promotes bodily autonomy. It encourages federal, state, local, and community organizations to observe the day through educational programs and to provide culturally competent care to intersex people. The resolution also urges healthcare providers and schools to connect intersex individuals and families to resources and support education about intersex diversity. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new legal requirements but aims to raise public awareness and affirm the rights of intersex people.

Maddy summaryHRES 806 is a symbolic resolution designating October 2023 as "World Menopause Awareness Month" and expressing the House's support for improved global awareness and access to care during menopause. It highlights that menopause affects millions of women, with symptoms like hot flashes (experienced by 75% of U.S. women) and potential impacts on work productivity and health risks like heart disease. The resolution encourages the Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs secretaries to share menopause information, fund research, and update treatment tools to support women's health. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness and guide existing agency efforts.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Vitiligo Awareness Day. (Vitiligo is a chronic condition that results in the loss of pigment in patches on the skin, hair, eyes, and inside of the mouth; the condition may lead to discomfort, itching, and pain.)

Maddy summaryThe SMOKE Act establishes new federal workplace safety standards to protect employees from wildfire smoke exposure. It requires employers to monitor PM2.5 air quality (AQI ≥151), implement engineering controls (like filtered buildings), provide respirators, and communicate risks when smoke levels are hazardous. Employees at risk of health harm from smoke can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year, with job protection upon return. The law excludes emergency responders and workplaces with certified filtered air systems (e.g., closed vehicles or buildings with filtered ventilation). OSHA must finalize these standards within 42 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 6172, the AMMO Act, requires federal firearms licensees (dealers/manufacturers) to implement new rules for selling ammunition to non-licensed buyers. It prohibits transfers exceeding 100 rounds of .50 caliber or 1,000 rounds of other calibers within any 5-day period and mandates written certification from buyers confirming they haven’t exceeded these limits. Licensees must also conduct background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) before selling ammunition to non-licensed individuals, similar to firearm sales. The bill includes recordkeeping, signage, and reporting requirements for violations, with penalties including fines up to $250,000 for licensees and $50,000 for buyers making false statements.

Maddy summaryThe MOMMIES Act (HR 6004) extends Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals from 60 days to 1 year after pregnancy (or longer, at state's election), ensuring continuous health coverage during this critical period. The bill requires states to provide full medical benefits, including oral health services, to pregnant and postpartum individuals for the entire coverage period. It establishes a 5-year demonstration project to fund maternity care home models in at least 10 states, focusing on improving care for underserved populations and reducing racial and health disparities in maternal outcomes. The legislation also includes requirements for states to maintain current coverage levels, enhanced federal funding for these services, and mandates reports on coverage gaps and access to services like doulas and telehealth.

Maddy summaryHR 5976, the Youth Mental Health Research Act, establishes a new NIH research initiative led by the National Institute of Mental Health. The bill directs collaboration between three NIH institutes to coordinate research on youth mental health, focusing specifically on building community resilience for at-risk youth and improving how mental health services reach young people in schools, communities, and other settings where they live and work. It authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to fund this research. The bill does not create direct services but aims to generate evidence to inform future mental health support strategies for young people.

Robin Danielson Menstrual Product and Intimate Care Product Safety Act of 2023 This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to conduct or support research on the extent to which components (including contaminants and substances used as fragrances, colorants, dyes, and preservatives) in menstrual products and intimate care products pose health risks to people who use the products or to the children of people who use the products during or before pregnancy.