Rep. Lauren Underwood

Maddy summaryHR 2725, the "Do No Harm Act," amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to clarify that RFRA does not apply when federal laws protect against discrimination or promote equal opportunity. It specifically exempts protections under the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, workplace benefits like leave, child labor safeguards, and healthcare access from RFRA challenges. The bill also clarifies that RFRA does not block private lawsuits between individuals, applying only to cases involving government entities. This amendment ensures that existing federal civil rights and workplace protections remain enforceable under RFRA.

Maddy summaryThe Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2023 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act's requirement that individuals with disabilities receive long-term services and supports in community settings rather than institutions. It defines "community-based" services to include specific housing options where individuals with disabilities can live independently with maximum control over their lives, including access to integrated housing, employment, and community participation. The bill requires states to develop transition plans to move people from institutional settings to community-based services within 12 years, with measurable annual targets for reducing institutionalization. It establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Puppy Protection Act of 2023 sets new standards for businesses that sell dogs (dealers), directly affecting pet stores and breeders operating under the Animal Welfare Act. It requires specific housing with space allowances based on dog size (e.g., 12-30 square feet per dog), temperature control (45-85°F), clean food twice daily, and daily exercise or socialization with humans/dogs for at least 30 minutes. The bill also mandates annual veterinary exams including dental care, strict breeding limits (e.g., age restrictions, maximum 2 litters in 18 months), and efforts to place retired breeding dogs in homes instead of selling them to other breeders. Regulations must be finalized within 18 months of enactment.

SALT Fairness for Working Families Act This bill increases the limit on the individual income tax deduction for certain state and local taxes, which is currently $10,000 per year ($5,000 for a married taxpayer filing a separate return). The bill increases the limit to $15,000 (twice that amount in the case of a joint return) and requires the increased limit to be adjusted for inflation after 2023.

Maddy summaryHR 2413, the Dental Care for Veterans Act, reclassifies dental care as standard medical services under the VA's existing benefits structure, eliminating prior restrictions that treated dental care separately. It modifies how dental appliances are procured and establishes a phased eligibility timeline: veterans already eligible for dental benefits gain immediate access, while others qualify over 1-4 years based on their current benefit status. The bill affects all veterans currently covered under VA dental programs, changing their access to care without creating new funding. Key provisions streamline dental service delivery under Title 38, aligning it with other medical benefits.

This bill prohibits smoking on the premises of any Veterans Health Administration facility. The bill defines smoking as the use of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes (i.e., the heating or combustion of tobacco), as well as the use of any electronic nicotine delivery system.

Maddy summaryThe Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2023 amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to improve services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence. The bill authorizes $270 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2028, with specific allocations including 12.5% for Tribal grantees, 2.5% for culturally specific services, and funds for national hotlines and resource centers. It establishes a national domestic violence hotline, a National Indian Domestic Violence Hotline, and resource centers for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations, requiring all services to be trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and accessible to underserved populations including racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and Tribal communities. The bill also mandates a study on financial stability support for survivors of domestic violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Medicaid coverage for incarcerated individuals during the 30 days preceding their release from public institutions. It directly affects people transitioning from prisons or jails back into communities by extending health coverage during this critical period. The key mechanism amends the Social Security Act to remove a Medicaid exclusion for this 30-day window. Additionally, it requires an 18-month report analyzing correctional healthcare standards, current discharge practices, and the potential impact of this coverage extension on post-release health access.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 would protect access to abortion services by prohibiting states from imposing restrictions that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures. The bill would ensure people can obtain abortion services before fetal viability without unnecessary limitations like mandatory waiting periods or biased counseling, and after viability when necessary to protect the patient's life or health. It would preempt state laws that conflict with these protections and allow for civil enforcement actions to challenge restrictive state laws. This bill directly affects people seeking abortion services (including transgender and nonbinary individuals who can become pregnant), health care providers, and states that have implemented abortion restrictions.

Maddy summaryThe MODERN WIC Act of 2023 modernizes the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program by expanding remote participation options for eligible individuals. It allows certification, recertification, and nutritional risk evaluations via phone, video, or other interactive technology (ensuring ADA accessibility), with states required to collect health data within 30-90 days for remote cases. The bill also permits remote delivery of food benefits (e.g., electronic transfers or mail) without in-person pickup and allocates $60 million for technology upgrades to improve program access and secure data sharing. A report to Congress on remote technology use must be submitted within one year, detailing impacts on participation, satisfaction, and best practices.