Rep. Kathy Castor

Maddy summaryThe Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023 would provide federal grants to support comprehensive sex education and sexual health services for young people ages 10-29, with specific focus on marginalized communities including Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ youth. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for 2024-2029 to fund programs through grants for elementary/secondary schools (section 4), colleges (section 5), educator training (section 6), and youth-friendly sexual health services for marginalized young people (section 7). These programs must be evidence-informed, medically accurate, culturally responsive, age-appropriate, and trauma-informed, while addressing racial and gender inequities in current sex education approaches. The bill also repeals the "abstinence-only-until-marriage" program and redirects its funding to support this comprehensive approach, requiring grantees to report on implementation and impact.

Maddy summaryThe Student Mental Health Rights Act (HR 3726) requires the U.S. Department of Education to study mental health disabilities and substance use disorders at colleges and universities. Within 120 days, it mandates a voluntary student survey on these conditions, followed by a comprehensive study within one year analyzing prevalence, college policies for students on leave, and best practices for support. The Department will then issue guidance to colleges on complying with existing disability laws (like the Americans with Disabilities Act) regarding accommodations for students with mental health needs. This aims to prevent discriminatory practices that might force students to leave campus or face barriers to returning.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for expenses related to "qualified access technology for the blind" under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) for costs paid for hardware, software, or IT that converts visual information into formats usable by blind individuals, covering the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent who is blind. The credit is limited to $2,000 over any three consecutive tax years per blind individual and expires after 2028. It directly affects blind individuals and their families who purchase qualifying assistive technology. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other tax deductions or credits.

Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act This bill preempts any state law that prohibits or restricts the purchase of real property by an individual based on the individual's citizenship.

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 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.

Maddy summaryHR 3592, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 627 women who served as "Donut Dollies" in the Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). The bill directs the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which would be presented by congressional leaders and then given to the Smithsonian Institution for public display and research. It also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates at cost to cover production expenses. This commemorative measure recognizes the service of these women, who provided recreational support to U.S. troops across 28 locations in Vietnam while facing war-zone dangers.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of DIPG Awareness Day. DIPG is diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a terminal childhood brain cancer.

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 summaryThis bill requires that AM radio receivers be included as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) sold in the United States, with a rule to be issued by the Department of Transportation within one year. The rule must ensure AM radio is easily accessible on the dashboard and allows manufacturers to use digital AM radio technology instead of traditional AM. During the one-year period between the bill's enactment and the rule's effective date, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio. The bill also directs a study to evaluate whether an alternative system could deliver emergency alerts as reliably as AM radio across the country, especially during crises.