Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to incorporate bird-safe design features in public buildings during construction, acquisition, or major renovations (over 50% facade alteration). It mandates the General Services Administration to develop and update a design guide with strategies like specialized glass, lighting modifications, and maintenance practices to reduce bird collisions. The guide must be shared with all federal agencies and include input from bird conservation experts. Exemptions apply to historic sites, the White House, Supreme Court, and Capitol complex. Annual reports on compliance and bird fatality assessments must be submitted to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023 would establish a universal school meals program providing free breakfast and lunch to all children enrolled in participating schools, regardless of family income. Key provisions include eliminating income-based eligibility requirements for school breakfast and lunch programs, setting specific reimbursement rates ($2.80 for breakfast and $4.63 for lunch with annual inflation adjustments), and prohibiting schools from collecting debt for unpaid meals or "shaming" students. The bill also replaces references to "free or reduced price" with "economically disadvantaged students" in related laws and establishes new methods for identifying children from low-income backgrounds. This legislation would directly affect all public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier for college students seeking food assistance by amending the SNAP program rules. It directly affects students enrolled at least half-time in recognized colleges or training programs, who were previously automatically ineligible unless they met separate requirements. The key change eliminates the prior restriction (in section 6(e)) that barred most higher education students from SNAP, allowing them to qualify under the new provision in section 3(m)(5)(F). The changes take effect January 2, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023 amends the Food and Nutrition Act to update how SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are calculated. It replaces the "thrifty food plan" with a "low-cost food plan" based on a specific 4-person family diet, requiring the government to reevaluate this plan by 2029 and every 5 years after. The bill also updates medical expense deductions, eliminates time limits on benefits, and allows Puerto Rico to join SNAP with specific transition requirements. These changes directly affect SNAP recipients, particularly in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska, by adjusting benefit calculations to better reflect current food costs.

Maddy summaryHRES 459 is a resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for designating June 2, 2023, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2023 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It encourages the public to wear orange, promote gun safety awareness, and discuss community safety measures during this time, particularly highlighting the summer months when gun violence often increases. The resolution references statistics on gun violence deaths and pays tribute to victims like Hadiya Pendleton, but does not create new laws or impose requirements.

Enhancing Questions to Understand Intentions for Pregnancy Act of 2023 or the EQUIP Act of 2023 This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide eligible health organizations with demonstration program grants to implement routine screenings about people's pregnancy intentions in order to provide better contraceptive and prepregnancy care.

Maddy summaryHR 3713 creates federal grants to fund comprehensive school-based mental health programs for students in grades K-12, including those in Bureau of Indian Education schools. It requires partnerships between schools and community mental health providers to deliver trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services addressing suicide risk, grief, violence, and trauma exposure. The bill authorizes $300 million annually (2024-2027) for these programs, mandating privacy protections under HIPAA and FERPA, and requires annual reporting on program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2023 requires states to establish a policy mandating annual suicide prevention training for school staff and high school students (grades 9-12). The training must be evidence-based, cover recognizing suicide warning signs, appropriate responses, and referrals to mental health services, while including cultural competency. It allocates $48 million in federal funds, with at least 15% dedicated to supporting this training program, and requires states to collaborate with mental health experts. The bill directly affects school staff and high school students in states that adopt the policy and receive federal funding.

Maddy summaryThe PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2023 requires the CDC to launch a national public awareness campaign to increase HPV vaccination rates, particularly among males and underserved communities. It mandates culturally tailored materials targeting rural areas, Black and Hispanic women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and populations with high HPV cancer rates, while combating misinformation about vaccine safety. The campaign, funded at $5 million annually from 2024-2028, will use media, community partnerships, and provider outreach to promote vaccination for adolescents aged 9-17. Additionally, the bill increases annual funding for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to $300 million per year through 2028. The bill directly affects adolescents, healthcare providers, and communities facing HPV cancer disparities.

Maddy summaryHR 3619, the Toxic-Free Beauty Act of 2023, bans the intentional addition of specific chemicals - including formaldehyde, certain parabens, phthalates, mercury, and two dyes - to cosmetic products sold across state lines. It directly affects cosmetic manufacturers and retailers, requiring them to reformulate products to remove these substances. The ban prohibits these chemicals in cosmetics introduced into interstate commerce starting January 1, 2025. This policy change updates federal safety standards under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to restrict the use of identified chemicals in beauty products.