Rep. Jahana Hayes

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Older Americans Act to better serve LGBTQI older adults (defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex individuals, and those living with HIV) by adding specific definitions and creating new support structures. It establishes an Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Administration on Aging, led by a Director and Assistant Director, to coordinate services, advocate for this community, and collect data on their challenges. The bill also creates a National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging to provide training and resources to organizations serving LGBTQI older adults and requires data collection on discrimination against them in long-term care settings. These changes aim to improve access to culturally competent services and address the unique needs of LGBTQI older adults through concrete policy updates.

Maddy summaryHRES 439 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for keeping the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as an independent federal agency, not subject to privatization. It highlights USPS's constitutional role, self-sustaining nature (relying on service revenue, not taxpayer funds), and its importance to rural communities, e-commerce, and over 600,000 employees. The resolution urges Congress to take action to preserve USPS's independence, emphasizing that privatization could raise prices, reduce services, and harm the nation's mail infrastructure. As a procedural resolution, it does not change law but formally states the House's position.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands TRICARE coverage to include wigs and treatment for traction alopecia - a type of hair loss caused by tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, or prolonged tension on the hair - directly affecting active-duty military members who develop this condition. It amends military health law to explicitly add "traction alopecia" to coverage for wigs and treatment, and requires the military to issue new grooming guidelines by September 2024 warning service members about the health risks of tight hairstyles, dyes, and chemical products. The key change is broadening existing TRICARE benefits to specifically cover this preventable condition, while mandating education on its causes. This is a policy adjustment to improve health care access for affected service members, not a new benefit.

Maddy summaryHR 3610, the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, repeals specific sections (4067-4070) of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 from U.S. law. This bill removes the legal authority allowing the president to detain or deport non-citizens during wartime based on that historical statute. The repeal directly affects the federal legal framework governing emergency powers over non-citizens, eliminating a provision dating to the Quasi-War with France. The bill makes no new policy changes but formally removes this outdated legal mechanism from the U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits corporal punishment (such as spanking or paddling) in all schools receiving federal funding, directly affecting students, school personnel, and school administrators. It requires schools to notify parents within 24 hours if corporal punishment occurs and establishes enforcement through civil lawsuits by students/parents, Attorney General actions, and Office for Civil Rights oversight. The bill mandates states to submit school climate reports and develop training programs on positive behavioral interventions to reduce exclusionary discipline practices that disproportionately affect students of color, students with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. It creates a grant program to help schools implement these approaches, with priority given to schools with high suspension rates and disciplinary actions. The bill does not apply to private schools or home schools that don't receive federal funding.

Maddy summaryThe AIR PUMP Act requires airlines to provide nursing crew members (like flight attendants and pilots) with reasonable break time to express breast milk for up to one year after their child's birth, as well as a private, non-bathroom space for this purpose. It specifically excludes breaks during critical flight phases and ensures accommodations won't compromise safety, security, or require significant costs (e.g., aircraft modifications). The bill includes anti-retaliation protections for employees who request accommodations or file complaints, and enforces these requirements through the Department of Labor using existing Fair Labor Standards Act mechanisms. This directly affects airline employees who are nursing parents and their employers, aligning airline workplace policies with federal breastfeeding protections.

Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act This bill extends through FY2033 and increases funding for the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund. The funding is provided from revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases, and awards from the fund are made to states and other entities, including tribes and nonprofits.

Maddy summaryThis bill would designate approximately 1.7 million acres of public land in Utah's Colorado Plateau and Great Basin regions as wilderness areas, protecting them from development while preserving traditional uses by Indigenous communities. It establishes specific wilderness areas across Utah's red rock canyons, including the Great Basin Wilderness Areas, Grand Staircase-Escalante Wilderness Areas, and others, with detailed acreage for each designated zone. The bill includes administrative provisions for managing these areas, such as maintaining existing livestock grazing rights, setting road setbacks to protect wilderness character, and reserving water rights for the wilderness areas. This legislation directly affects how the Bureau of Land Management administers public lands in Utah and defines the boundaries for public use of these designated wilderness areas.

Maddy summaryHR 3502, the Responsible Firearms Marketing Act, directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate deceptive advertising practices related to firearms. The FTC must study marketing that targets minors, implies illegal use, or promotes semiautomatic assault weapons, then report findings to Congress within two years. If the FTC identifies unfair practices, it must issue enforceable regulations within 18 months of the report to prohibit such marketing by firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers. The law aims to stop deceptive advertising through FTC enforcement under existing consumer protection rules, directly affecting the firearms industry.

Maddy summaryHR 3523, the Perinatal Workforce Act, provides $15 million annually from 2024 to 2028 to expand and diversify maternity care providers. It directs HHS to issue guidance for states on recruiting diverse providers (including midwives, nurses, and community health workers) and requires grant recipients to prioritize students from racial/ethnic minority groups, implement bias training, and target health professional shortage areas. The bill also mandates annual reporting on workforce diversity and outcomes, and requires a GAO report assessing barriers to equitable access in maternal healthcare. This legislation directly affects hospitals, nursing schools, midwifery programs, and insurers by funding targeted workforce development to address racial disparities in maternal care.