Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a national framework for peer support specialists - individuals with lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery who provide support to others. It requires the federal government to add "peer support specialist" to the standard job classification system by 2025 and creates a new Office of Recovery within SAMHSA to lead workforce development, share best practices, and support career pathways for these specialists. The bill also mandates a federal report analyzing state criminal background check policies for peer specialists, aiming to reduce barriers to certification while reviewing evidence on their effectiveness. These changes directly affect individuals seeking recovery support, their families, and the growing peer support workforce across states.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, with public access to these rules on the Court's website. It sets minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and strengthens recusal requirements when justices have financial ties to parties in cases. The bill creates procedures for filing complaints about justices' conduct and establishes a judicial investigation panel to review such complaints, while also requiring parties and amicus curiae to disclose gifts to justices and lobbying activities related to the nomination of justices. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in Supreme Court operations.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs the Archivist of the United States to immediately certify and publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, claiming it was validly ratified after Virginia became the 38th state to approve it in 2020. It asserts that the ERA meets all constitutional requirements under Article V, including the completion of ratification by three-fourths of states (38 states total), and references historical precedents like the 27th Amendment’s delayed certification. The resolution does not alter legal rights or create new law - it solely addresses the Archivist’s statutory duty under 1 U.S.C. §106b to formally recognize the ERA’s ratification. It affects only the Archivist’s office, requiring them to fulfill a procedural step without delay.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution SRES 320 calls for the immediate release of Eyvin Hernandez, a U.S. citizen and Los Angeles County public defender wrongfully detained in Venezuela since March 2022. It urges the Biden administration, including the Secretary of State and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, to use all available tools to secure his release and condemns Venezuela’s practice of detaining U.S. citizens for political purposes. The resolution also expresses support for all U.S. citizens wrongfully detained abroad and solidarity with Hernandez and his advocates. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally states the Senate’s position on this specific case.
Maddy summarySRES 326 is a procedural Senate resolution (not a law) designating August 23, 2023, as "National Poll Worker Recruitment Day." It formally recognizes the importance of poll workers in elections and encourages eligible citizens to volunteer for this role in the 2023 elections. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness about the need for poll workers. It directly affects the public by inviting them to participate in election administration.
Maddy summaryThe Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 increases funding and improves access to food assistance for low-income individuals through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). It raises annual storage and distribution funding from $100 million to $200 million and allocates $500 million yearly for food commodities from 2024 through 2028. The bill specifically helps geographically isolated states (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories) by allowing alternative delivery methods for food shipments and permitting up to 20% of allocated commodities to be used as cash for locally grown food purchases. Additionally, it requires the program to prioritize nutritious food by considering factors like product variety and transportation distance when buying fresh produce.
Maddy summaryThe Long COVID Support Act establishes a voluntary patient registry to collect data on symptoms, treatments, and demographics of individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, with strict privacy protections. It requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to coordinate research, develop plain-language educational materials for the public and health care providers, and submit annual reports to Congress. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for 2024-2028 to fund these activities, including research on treatment disparities and provider training. This legislation directly affects people with Long COVID who choose to participate in the registry and health care providers who receive updated guidance to improve care for affected patients.
Maddy summaryThe Shenandoah Mountain Act establishes a 92,562-acre National Scenic Area within Virginia's George Washington and Jefferson National Forests to protect natural resources, scenic quality, and recreational opportunities. It designates five specific wilderness areas (Skidmore Fork, Ramseys Draft, Lynn Hollow, Little River, and Beech Lick Knob) and prohibits new roads, timber harvesting (with limited exceptions for fire control and public safety), and energy development within the area. The law requires the Forest Service to develop a trail plan within two years to improve nonmotorized recreation access while maintaining resource protection, and it maintains existing recreational uses and private land access within the designated area.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to create a new exception for farmers and ranchers seeking disaster program benefits. It allows individuals or entities where at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income comes from farming, ranching, silviculture, agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, or related agriculture activities to qualify for payments. The exception removes income-based eligibility barriers for these qualifying agricultural producers under specific existing programs, including payments under the 2014 Agricultural Act (Subtitle E, Title I) and the 1996 Farm Bill (Section 196). This change directly affects farmers who meet the 75% income threshold but would otherwise be disqualified due to income limits.
Maddy summaryThe Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2023 allocates $20 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to fund improvements to public school facilities nationwide. It provides grants to states, which then distribute funds to local school districts based on need, prioritizing schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The bill requires projects to meet energy efficiency standards, address health and safety concerns (like lead in water or toxic substances), and use American-made materials when possible. It also includes specific provisions for repairing schools with foundations damaged by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration.