Rep. Deborah K. Ross

Maddy summaryThis bill creates federal funding for community-based violence intervention programs in high-violence areas, targeting communities with 35+ homicides annually or 20+ homicides with rates double the national average. It establishes grants for community organizations to implement trauma-informed violence interruption strategies, hospital-based programs for injured patients, and job training for "opportunity youth" (16-25 year olds not in school or work). The legislation authorizes $300 million in 2026, increasing to $700 million annually through 2033, with requirements for evidence-based approaches that reduce violence without contributing to mass incarceration. It creates a National Community Violence Response Center to coordinate data collection, research, and best practices for these programs. The focus is on prevention through economic opportunity, trauma care, and community-driven interventions rather than traditional law enforcement approaches.

Maddy summaryThe Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 increases monthly dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes the calculation method from a fixed $1,154 to 55% of a specific veteran compensation rate, effective six months after enactment. The bill also reduces the required continuous disability rating period for survivors from 10 years to 5 years, and provides a proportional payment for cases where the rating period is shorter than 10 years. Surviving spouses of veterans who died before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of their current benefit or the new calculation. This directly affects surviving spouses eligible for benefits under Title 38, U.S. Code, particularly those with veterans who died prior to 1993.

Maddy summaryHR 4072, the Pro Codes Act, requires standards development organizations (like ASTM or IEEE) to make technical standards publicly accessible online at no cost when those standards are incorporated by reference into federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This applies to over 23,000 standards currently referenced in the Code of Federal Regulations, ensuring the public can read them freely while allowing organizations to maintain revenue through paid subscriptions. The bill amends copyright law to mandate this free online access - including searchable features - within a reasonable timeframe after an organization learns a standard is referenced, without disrupting their business model. It balances public access with copyright protection, placing the burden of proof on anyone claiming an organization failed to comply. The law directly affects standards organizations, government agencies, and the public who rely on these referenced standards for safety, innovation, and compliance.

Maddy summaryHR 4074, the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025, requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue guidance within one year on improving Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pelvic health services during pregnancy and the postpartum period (defined as up to 6 months after birth or during lactation). The bill directs the GAO to study coverage gaps for these services and mandates a new CDC-led education campaign to train healthcare providers and inform postpartum women about pelvic floor exams and physical therapy. Key provisions include standardizing terminology for pelvic health conditions, sharing state best practices for payment models, and authorizing $2 million annually for the education program through 2030. This bill directly affects postpartum women covered by Medicaid or CHIP by aiming to increase access to evidence-based pelvic health care.

Maddy summaryThe Insurrection Act of 2025 would clarify and limit when the President can deploy military forces domestically to address insurrections, rebellions, or widespread violence. It requires state and local authorities to be unable to handle the situation, with specific circumstances including obstruction of voting rights or Federal law, and mandates the state governor's request for assistance. The bill requires the President to consult Congress, issue a proclamation ordering lawbreakers to disperse, and submit a detailed report before deployment, with military action limited to 7 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving it for up to 14 days. The bill explicitly prohibits using National Guard members on training duty for these purposes and provides for judicial review of deployments.

Maddy summaryHR 4040, the SALONS Stories Act, increases federal grants for states that require cosmetologists and barbers to complete free domestic violence prevention training as part of their licensing process. This training, provided by anti-domestic violence nonprofits, teaches professionals to recognize signs of abuse, respond appropriately, and refer clients to support resources. States with such laws can receive up to a 10% grant increase under the Omnibus Crime Control Act, with funding capped at $5 million annually from 2026-2032. The bill directly affects states implementing this training mandate, beauty industry professionals, and domestic violence survivors seeking help during salon services.

Maddy summaryGio’s Law (HR 4019) creates a federal grant program to help state and local law enforcement agencies purchase epinephrine auto-injectors and other emergency epinephrine products, and to train officers on recognizing symptoms of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and correctly administering the medication. The bill requires the Attorney General to develop standardized training within 180 days of enactment and mandates that states certify officers are protected from civil liability when using epinephrine in good faith. It authorizes $25 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to fund these grants and training. Additionally, the law requires an annual report tracking how often law enforcement officers administer epinephrine during emergencies.

Maddy summaryHR 4017, the American Royalties Too Act of 2025, requires art dealers to pay visual artists a royalty when their work is resold for $5,000 or more. Artists (or their successors) receive 5% of the sale price, capped at $50,000, paid to designated collecting societies within 90 days of the sale. These societies distribute the funds to eligible artists who are U.S. citizens, domiciled in the U.S., or created their work in the U.S. or a country with similar resale royalty laws, after deducting reasonable administrative costs. The bill establishes clear payment timelines, unclaimed funds procedures, and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHR 4009, the Pro Codes Act, requires standards development organizations (like ANSI) to make technical standards publicly accessible online at no cost when those standards are referenced in federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This ensures the public can freely read current standards while allowing organizations to retain copyright protection - provided they offer searchable, free online access within a reasonable timeframe. The bill also mandates a study by the Comptroller General to analyze government costs for accessing these referenced standards, including impacts on smaller municipalities. It aims to balance the need for standards development funding with public access to standards incorporated into law, as outlined in the bill's findings.

Maddy summaryHR 3985, the Helping Student Parents Succeed Act, requires colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to create and publicly share clear policies supporting expectant and parenting students. The bill mandates institutions to provide detailed information on lactation accommodations, processes for requesting pregnancy-related or parental accommodations, financial aid details (including dependent care allowances and dependency status changes), and access to support services like childcare, housing, healthcare, and counseling. This directly affects student parents at participating higher education institutions by standardizing and making accessible the resources they need. The law ensures schools disclose all available support without favoring specific services and outlines procedures for addressing complaints under Title IX and disability laws.