Rep. Jahana Hayes

Maddy summaryThe Fair Telehealth Billing Act of 2024 prohibits health care providers and facilities from charging separate facility fees when they bill independently for telehealth professional services. This directly affects patients and insurance plans by preventing duplicate billing for the same telehealth visit. The law adds a new section (901) to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, requiring providers to stop imposing these fees, with enforcement through $10,000 civil penalties per violation for noncompliance. The rule takes effect for telehealth services provided on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Kairo Act of 2024 requires child care providers receiving federal funds (like Child Care Development Block Grants or Head Start) to create a "parent’s bill of rights" document. This document must include specific information for parents, such as child abuse hotline contacts, access to facility inspection reports, procedures for reviewing video recordings of incidents, and policies on staff training. Providers must distribute this written document to parents within 45 days of the law’s effective date or before a child’s first day in care. The law applies directly to center-based, family, and religious child care providers receiving federal funding, aiming to increase transparency and parent access to facility records.

Maddy summaryThe Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act (HR 807) directs the U.S. Treasury to mint three types of commemorative coins honoring working dogs' service: $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar coins with specific weight and composition requirements. Each coin will carry a surcharge ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars) that will be paid directly to America's VetDogs to support their programs providing service dogs for veterans, the disabled, and others. The coins will be issued in 2027 with designs reflecting working dogs' roles in military, detection, therapy, and assistance work. The legislation specifies that all surcharge revenue must fund America's VetDogs' operations without creating new government programs. This is a commemorative measure focused on honoring working dogs' contributions through coin sales, with all surcharge funds going to a specific nonprofit organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal grants to expand training and support services for unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. It authorizes funding for organizations like senior centers, area agencies on aging, and community health centers to provide direct caregiver support, requiring at least 50% of grant funds to go directly to services (not administration) and limiting administrative costs to 10%. Priority is given to nonprofit organizations serving underserved communities, including minority, low-income, and disability communities. The program, funded for fiscal years 2025-2029, aims to improve access to culturally appropriate caregiver resources nationwide.

Maddy summaryHR 10184, the Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2024, establishes a federal grant program to fund evidence-based initiatives addressing academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs in schools, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It directly affects eligible entities like school districts, consortia, tribal entities, and nonprofit partnerships, requiring them to target high-need student groups (low-income, students of color, English learners, students with disabilities, etc.). Key mechanisms include allocating 75% of funds to evidence-based proposals and 25% to educator-designed proposals, with mandatory 25% for rural schools and 50% for schools serving high percentages of low-income students. The bill authorizes $15 billion annually for 2025-2027, requiring grantees to measure outcomes, report disaggregated data by student group, and conduct independent evaluations for certain proposals.

Maddy summaryHRES 1581 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for designating November 2024 as "Prematurity Awareness Month." It highlights the U.S. maternal and infant health crisis, including higher preterm birth rates and disparities affecting Black and Native American women and their infants. The resolution urges Americans, communities, and organizations to observe the month through events and education focused on preterm birth prevention. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about this health issue, which contributes to infant mortality and costs an estimated $25.2 billion annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Medicaid from covering conversion therapy for any enrollee. It amends federal law to block Medicaid payments for any therapy aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity (defined as "conversion therapy" in the bill), starting in the first full quarter after the law takes effect. The prohibition applies to all Medicaid providers who offer such therapy for compensation, but explicitly excludes support for gender transition, acceptance-based care, and interventions focused on safety or unlawful conduct. It directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking therapy and providers who previously billed for conversion therapy services.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the operating period for the African American Civil Rights Network program from 7 years to 10 years after the act's enactment. It directly affects the existing program, which supports organizations preserving civil rights history and promoting education, by allowing it to continue operating for a longer duration without needing new congressional approval. The change is a straightforward extension of an existing authorization period under federal law.

Maddy summaryHRES 1577 is a resolution expressing congressional support for National Adoption Day (November 23, 2024) and National Adoption Month (November 2024). It highlights that over 108,000 children in U.S. foster care are waiting for adoption and encourages Americans to consider adoption to help provide safety, permanency, and well-being for children. The resolution does not create new laws but formally recognizes the importance of adoption and urges the public to support efforts to place children in permanent families. It directly affects public awareness and encourages citizen engagement during these designated observances.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 132 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of November 11-17, 2024, as "National Caregiving Youth Week." It directly affects children and adolescents under 18 who serve as primary or secondary caregivers for family members with health conditions, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging needs. The resolution supports raising public awareness about this underserved population (estimated at over 5 million nationwide), encourages recognition by educators and policymakers, and calls for updated federal research on their needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to highlight challenges these youth face balancing caregiving with education and well-being.