Rep. Jahana Hayes

Maddy summaryThe Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act creates a federal grant program to increase mental health staff in low-income schools. It provides funding for partnerships between low-income schools (where at least 20% of students are from families below the poverty line) and graduate programs in school counseling, psychology, and social work. Grant funds can cover training costs, salary support for new mental health providers, recruitment of underrepresented students, and student loan repayment for mental health staff working in qualifying schools. The bill sets target ratios for staff-to-student ratios (like 1 counselor per 250 students) and requires annual reporting on program outcomes. The program is authorized for $200 million annually to address mental health staffing shortages in schools serving high-poverty communities.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (HRES 1026) recognizes Black History Month and honors the 94 African-American recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor for their military bravery, heroism, and valor. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges their contributions, referencing historical context like Sergeant William Harvey Carney’s 1863 actions and the 1993 study revealing racial discrimination in Medal of Honor awards during WWII. The resolution specifically calls for the House to recognize Black History Month and honor these 94 service members. It is a non-binding expression of support with no concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Education to automatically send information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility to college students with a zero expected family contribution (EFC) who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It directs the Secretary to provide written and electronic details about SNAP benefits, including how to apply and contact information for state SNAP agencies, in both formats. The bill mandates consultation between the Education and Agriculture Departments to design this communication. It directly affects low-income undergraduate students who qualify for federal aid but may not know about SNAP food assistance. The policy change aims to connect eligible students with existing nutrition support programs.

Maddy summaryThe Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2024 prohibits businesses from charging "grossly excessive" prices for goods or services during exceptional market shocks (like natural disasters or pandemics), directly affecting large corporations with over $100 million in annual U.S. revenue. Key provisions include presuming violations if prices rise more than 20% above pre-shock averages without justification, allowing companies to defend against claims by proving legitimate cost increases, and requiring major corporations to disclose pricing changes in SEC filings. Enforcement will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general, with civil penalties up to 5% of a company’s revenue. The bill defines "unfair leverage" for dominant firms and mandates annual inflation adjustments to revenue thresholds starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Interagency Task Force on Black Women and Girls, requiring the Attorney General and Health Secretary to create a group within 180 days of enactment. The Task Force will examine systemic issues affecting Black women and girls - including school discipline, economic opportunities, healthcare access, justice system involvement, and housing - and make policy recommendations across these areas. It mandates the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to annually study specific disparities like maternal mortality rates, the school-to-prison pipeline, and housing barriers, then report findings to Congress. The bill directly targets policies impacting Black women and girls as defined in the legislation, with recommendations due within two years.

Maddy summaryHR 7314, the Diversify Tech Act, establishes a federal Task Force within the Department of Commerce to address diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the tech industry. The Task Force, composed of federal officials and industry experts, must conduct an initial audit within 60 days of enactment to assess minority employment rates, hiring practices, and layoff trends in tech companies (defined as entities with over 10 million users/subscribers). It is required to submit annual reports to Congress evaluating DEIA progress, assessing how layoffs affected diversity efforts, and examining AI's role in discrimination, while also advising on outreach for minority-owned startups. The bill directly affects large U.S. tech companies and minority-owned tech startups by mandating transparency and accountability in DEIA practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Education to share student loan complaint data and coordinate oversight. It mandates that each agency transfer complaints about federal student loans (title IV) or private student loans to the other agency within 10 days of receipt. The agencies must collaborate on resolving complaints involving both federal and private loans, including creating a process for handling issues with defaulted federal loans and private collection agencies. This improves transparency for borrowers by ensuring both agencies work together to address concerns about student loan servicing and origination.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $1.5 billion annually from 2024 to 2028 for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, which funds affordable housing initiatives by state and local governments. It also allocates an additional $500 million annually for the same period specifically to build or rehabilitate childcare facilities within housing projects supported by the program. The funding directly supports local housing authorities in developing and maintaining affordable housing with integrated childcare services.

Ensuring Diverse Leadership Act of 2024 This bill requires that, when appointing a president, a Federal Reserve Bank must interview at least one individual reflective of gender diversity and one reflective of racial or ethnic diversity. The bill amends numerous banking-, finance-, and trade-related acts to make references to officials (including those to the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) gender-neutral.

Maddy summaryHR 7261, the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act, creates a federal grant program to improve arts education access for children with disabilities in K-12 schools. The bill authorizes $15 million over five years (2025-2029) to fund competitive grants for eligible entities like school districts, state agencies, or partnerships with colleges/nonprofits. Grant recipients must use funds to adapt arts curricula, provide professional development for arts educators, and incorporate creative arts therapies (like music or dance) to increase inclusion and accessibility for students with disabilities. Priority is given to schools receiving Title I funding, and grants last up to three years with possible renewal based on program success.