Rep. Jahana Hayes

Maddy summaryHR 8904, the Tenant Empowerment Act of 2024, directly affects tenants in multifamily housing projects receiving federal assistance through HUD or USDA programs. It establishes key mechanisms including: (1) allowing tenants to withhold rent into an escrow fund when housing violations occur (Section 2A), (2) permitting tenants to pay for repairs themselves and deduct costs from rent (Section 2B), and (3) requiring tenant participation in inspections and management reviews (Section 6). The bill prohibits evictions for using these rights and mandates that housing owners address violations, with HUD or local authorities enforcing standards. These provisions apply specifically to projects under Section 8 housing assistance contracts and similar federal agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans developers and deployers of AI algorithms from using them to deceive voters about election procedures (like voting locations or registration rules) or intimidate people from voting. It requires clear disclaimers - such as "AI Disclaimer: This output was generated by artificial intelligence" - on AI-generated election content, including fake candidate videos or altered voting information. The law sets safety standards for election-related AI, requiring developers to ensure algorithms are "safe and effective" before use. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these rules, with violations potentially leading to fines or up to one year in prison.

Maddy summaryThe Texture Positive Act of 2024 provides federal grants to states to fund subgrants for eligible entities (such as minority- or women-owned businesses with 5+ years of experience) to integrate textured hair training into cosmetology school curricula. It requires these entities to offer students hands-on education in shampooing, deep conditioning, braiding, twisting, and styling naturally coiled, curly, or wavy hair, including developing training materials and hiring specialized instructors. States must report annually on participation numbers, instructor training, and cosmetology schools served. The program runs for 4 years for state grants (renewable) and 6 months for subgrants (renewable based on performance reports).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Comptroller General to study menopause care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to women veterans. The study will examine current VA services for perimenopause, menopause, and related conditions, including provider training, diagnosis protocols, access to care, veteran awareness, and care quality. The Comptroller General must issue a report within 18 months, followed by a VA strategic plan within 6 months to improve care based on the findings. The bill directly affects women veterans seeking VA health services related to menopause symptoms but does not change existing benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryThe CARE for Kids Act of 2024 expands automatic eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Act. It directly affects children in specific caregiving situations - such as those with kinship caregivers (including grandparents), children receiving adoption or kinship guardianship payments, and children in Native American housing programs - by allowing schools to automatically enroll them without additional paperwork. Key provisions include adding new categories for direct certification (like children with Medicaid medical assistance tied to foster care or tribal programs) and extending eligibility when children transfer schools, provided they’re living with a relative who has legal custody or authority. The bill aims to reduce administrative barriers for vulnerable children to access school meals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires background checks to block gun sales to people under court orders restricting firearm access before trial. It amends federal gun law to explicitly prohibit firearm purchases, possession, or receipt by individuals subject to such pretrial court orders. The law updates background check systems (like NICS) to include these orders, ensuring courts can prevent gun access during pending criminal cases. It directly affects individuals detained before trial who face court-mandated firearm restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal framework for "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs) that temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk of harming themselves or others. Family members or law enforcement officers can petition a federal court for a temporary order (up to 14 days) based on probable cause, followed by a hearing within 72 hours to determine if a longer-term order (up to 180 days) is warranted. The bill requires clear and convincing evidence of risk at the hearing and mandates respondents to surrender firearms to law enforcement within 48 hours. It also includes provisions for reporting, training law enforcement on ERPOs, and a federal grant program to support state ERPO implementation, without preempting state laws.

Maddy summaryHRES 901 is a U.S. House resolution expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It calls on the U.S. President and Secretary of State to collaborate with Pakistan to uphold democratic processes, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution urges Pakistan to protect freedoms of speech, assembly, and press, and to avoid arbitrary detention or suppression of political participation. It also condemns efforts to undermine Pakistan's electoral or judicial systems, including harassment of citizens during protests or interference with elections.

Maddy summaryThe Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024 would double Federal Pell Grants, increasing the maximum award to $10,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year with annual inflation adjustments, and make Pell Grants a fully mandatory program rather than requiring annual appropriations. It would expand eligibility for students with negative student aid indexes (those with the lowest expected family contributions), provide Pell Grant eligibility for "Dreamer" students protected under DACA, and restore eligibility for students who previously lost it due to academic progress issues. The bill would also increase the total semesters of Pell Grant eligibility from 12 to 18. These changes would directly affect millions of undergraduate students, particularly students of color who currently rely on Pell Grants, with 3 in 5 African American students and half of Latino students depending on these grants. The bill would take effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Maddy summaryHRES 1306 is a non-binding resolution expressing congressional support for designating June 21, 2024, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. It encourages parents to ask visitors' homes, "Is there a gun in your house?" and "Is it locked and unloaded?" to promote safe gun storage around children. The resolution specifically supports the ASK Campaign, a national initiative run by the Brady Campaign since 2000 that focuses on preventing accidental child firearm injuries through simple safety conversations. This resolution does not create new laws but formally endorses an existing public health awareness effort.