Rep. Ann M. Kuster

Maddy summaryHR 4581, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, amends Title V of the Social Security Act to explicitly allow federal funds to support stillbirth prevention efforts. The bill directs states receiving Title V maternal and child health funds to use these resources for evidence-based programs and research aimed at reducing stillbirths, including tracking fetal movements, screening for growth issues, smoking cessation, and community support. It directly affects state maternal health programs by clarifying that existing funding can now cover specific stillbirth prevention activities previously not explicitly permitted. The law changes how Title V funds may be spent, adding clear provisions for research and programs targeting stillbirth reduction. This is a policy change that updates funding guidelines without creating new programs or mandates.

Maddy summaryHRES 1355 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors lineworkers who maintain electrical infrastructure under hazardous conditions, including during disasters, and commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an electrical outage. The resolution encourages public recognition of these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a national registry to help Korean American families separated from relatives in North Korea after the 1953 Korean War Armistice reunite. The Secretary of State must identify eligible families and collect their information (including deceased members) to support future in-person or video reunions. It authorizes $1 million for this registry and requires the State Department to push for family reunions during U.S.-North Korea talks, while consulting South Korea. The State Department must also report annually to Congress on the registry's status, reunion progress, and North Korea's policies affecting family reunions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to include physician assistants and nurse practitioners as eligible providers for injured federal workers. It defines "other eligible provider" as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within their state-authorized scope of practice. The law updates key sections to replace "physician" with "physician or other eligible provider" for treatment, certification, and claim processes. The Secretary must finalize implementing regulations within six months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a prohibition that previously blocked federal housing assistance for college students. It creates a new waiver allowing housing authorities to provide tenant-based housing assistance to students in foster care or court-emancipated minors living in on-campus housing at eligible colleges. The assistance won't count as income for financial aid, work-study programs, or child support calculations, directly supporting vulnerable students facing housing costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHRES 1332 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It encourages the celebration of Pride Month to honor the historical struggles and achievements of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, but serves as a formal recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights as human rights and highlights their integral role in American history. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and passed by the House of Representatives.

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 summaryHR 8821, the HOPE with Fertility Services Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers that cover obstetrical services to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility treatments and fertility preservation when medical treatments (like cancer therapy) cause or risk iatrogenic infertility. It defines infertility broadly and mandates coverage for procedures like IVF, egg freezing, and ovulation induction, while allowing standard cost-sharing but prohibiting insurers from discouraging or penalizing these services. Insurers must annually submit analyses of their coverage rules for these treatments to the Secretary of Labor for 5 years after enactment, with potential civil penalties for noncompliance. The law applies to all applicable plans starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program by allowing borrowers to count their first 60 monthly payments toward the required 120 payments, provided they're on specific repayment plans under the Higher Education Act. It directly affects federal student loan borrowers working in public service jobs who may have previously been excluded from counting certain payments. The law requires the Secretary of Education to notify affected borrowers within 180 days about this change and provide guidance on adjusting repayment plans. This update simplifies the path to loan forgiveness for qualifying public service workers by broadening which payments count toward the 120-payment threshold.