Maddy summaryThe College Transparency Act requires the development of a new, secure data system to collect and share detailed, aggregate information about college students' enrollment, progression, costs, financial aid, and post-graduation outcomes like earnings and employment. This system will make publicly accessible, non-personally identifiable information through an easy-to-use website to help students and families make informed college decisions. Institutions participating in federal student aid programs must submit data to the system, while the bill prohibits collecting sensitive information like health data, discipline records, or exact addresses. The law also includes strong privacy protections, requires data minimization, and prohibits using the data for federal rankings or selling it to third parties. The system aims to reduce reporting burdens on institutions while improving transparency about college outcomes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Trust Fund through fiscal year 2028, extending its current authorization period. It updates specific timeframes in the existing law by replacing references to 2023 with 2028 and adjusting the start of the new 5-year funding period to begin in fiscal year 2024. The bill directly affects the Udall Foundation’s ability to operate its existing grant programs, which support education and leadership initiatives for Native American and Alaska Native communities. No new funding or program changes are introduced - this is purely a procedural extension of the current legal framework. The foundation’s existing activities, including scholarship and fellowship programs, will continue under the revised authorization period.
Maddy summaryThe Election Worker Protection Act of 2023 provides federal grants to states for recruiting and training election workers (including poll workers and election volunteers) with specific requirements for cultural competence and diversity in recruitment efforts. It also funds physical security services and social media threat monitoring for election workers to protect them from threats. The bill establishes new criminal penalties for intimidating, threatening, or harassing election workers while they perform their duties, and creates a grant program to help protect election workers' personally identifiable information from public disclosure. These provisions apply to workers involved in federal elections and require states to submit reports on how the funds are used.
Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 This bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for qualifying hospitals, including hospitals in rural areas and health professional shortage areas. Current law provides for an increase of up to 200 positions per fiscal year beginning in FY2023, with a total increase of 1,000 positions; each hospital may receive up to 25 additional positions. Current law also provides for an additional increase of up to 200 positions for FY2026, with at least 100 of these positions for psychiatry or related specialties; each hospital may receive up to 10 additional positions. The bill provides for an additional increase of 2,000 positions per fiscal year from FY2025-FY2031; during this period, each hospital may receive up to 75 additional positions in total under the bill and current law. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on strategies to increase the diversity of the health professional workforce, including with respect to representation from rural, low-income, and minority communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for individuals or organizations charging veterans unauthorized fees when assisting with VA benefit claims. It directly affects veterans who might be targeted by unscrupulous representatives and the representatives themselves who attempt to charge such fees. The key provision adds a new subsection (b) to Section 5905, making it illegal to solicit, charge, or receive any fee for preparing or submitting VA claims - except as allowed under specific other sections. Violations can result in fines, up to one year in prison, or both.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct research on how cannabis affects veterans with chronic pain or PTSD. It mandates an 18-month observational study (using existing VA health records and surveys) to compare health outcomes - like pain levels, opioid use, mental health, and sleep - between veterans who use cannabis and those who don’t. If the study supports it, the VA could later run clinical trials on cannabis use for these conditions. The research directly involves VA-enrolled veterans with chronic pain or PTSD, but does not change access to cannabis or VA benefits.
Maddy summaryThe INSULIN Act of 2023 sets cost-sharing limits for insulin products under most health insurance plans. Starting in 2024, health plans must cover selected insulin products with no deductible and cost-sharing capped at $35 per 30-day supply before 2025, and at the lesser of $35 or 25% of the negotiated price after 2025. The bill defines "selected insulin products" to include at least one of each dosage form (vial, pen, inhaler) and type (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, pre-mixed) of insulin. It also requires pharmacy benefit managers to pass through 100% of insulin rebates to health plans and mandates a report on insulin market competition and barriers to biosimilar adoption. This legislation directly affects millions of people with diabetes who rely on insulin and their health insurance plans.
Maddy summaryS 1212 establishes federal standards for remote and electronic notarizations, enabling notaries to perform these services across state lines for individuals not physically present. Key provisions require identity verification (using two methods or a credible witness), mandatory audio/video recording of remote notarizations (retained for 5-10 years), and secure attachment of electronic signatures to documents. The bill ensures courts and states recognize these notarizations as valid regardless of whether the notary used electronic records or served a remotely located individual. It does not require notaries to offer these services but creates a uniform baseline for interstate recognition, while allowing states to maintain stricter rules.
Maddy summaryThe Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act (S.1204) creates a federal "safe harbor" protecting veterans who use medical marijuana in states where it is legal, and allows VA physicians to discuss or recommend it under state law. It directly affects veterans in states with legal medical marijuana programs and their VA healthcare providers. Key provisions include prohibiting federal penalties for compliant veterans and requiring the VA to conduct research on medical marijuana's effects for pain management and PTSD treatment, with reports to Congress within two years. The bill sunsetted after five years but established a framework for evidence-based policy on veteran care.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits healthcare providers and transplant centers from denying organ transplants or related services solely because a person has a disability. It requires covered entities (like hospitals and transplant centers) to make reasonable policy changes - such as involving a patient's support network or providing accessible communication - to ensure qualified individuals with disabilities can access transplants. The law clarifies that providers may only consider a disability medically significant if a physician determines it directly affects transplant success, and it establishes enforcement through the Department of Health and Human Services or lawsuits. The bill does not replace existing disability protections like the ADA but specifies how they apply to organ transplant processes.