Rep. Ann M. Kuster

Maddy summaryHR 1423, the 911 Community Crisis Responders Act of 2023, provides federal grants to states, tribes, and local governments to establish unarmed mobile crisis response teams. These teams respond to nonviolent 911 calls involving mental health, substance use, homelessness, or disabilities - instead of sending police - offering services like de-escalation, referrals to treatment, and transportation. The bill requires teams to operate in groups of two or more, avoid law enforcement oversight, and coordinate with 911 systems to triage calls. Grantees must collect data on call volumes, demographics, and outcomes like reduced ER visits, with reports submitted biannually to the Secretary and Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryThe Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2023 provides targeted support for smaller meat and poultry processing businesses (defined as those with fewer than 50 employees under existing regulations). It creates a free, searchable database of validation studies and scale-appropriate model safety plans to help these businesses meet federal food safety requirements, while increasing federal funding for state inspection programs from 50% to 65%. The bill also establishes a $20 million annual grant program to help small processors improve safety, expand capacity, and access training, with priority given to businesses serving farmers within 200 miles and those owned by disadvantaged individuals. These changes directly benefit small meat and poultry processing establishments that often struggle with compliance costs and resources.

Maddy summaryHRES 219 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill) expressing the House’s support for inclusive public schools. It urges schools to adopt historically accurate, diverse educational materials that reflect the nation’s diversity, foster parent-educator partnerships, and eliminate discrimination based on race, disability, LGBTQ+ identity, or other factors. The resolution emphasizes creating safe, well-rounded learning environments that prepare all students for success while protecting students’ civil rights. It directly affects public school districts, educators, families, and students by encouraging practices that promote equity and inclusion.

Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings Act or the MINDS Act This bill authorizes and requires certain actions by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs. The bill authorizes USAID to designate an MHPSS coordinator. The coordinator's duties include (1) guiding, overseeing, and directing MHPSS programming and integration across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs; and (2) promoting best practices, coordination, and reporting in MHPSS across such programs. Focus populations for the coordinator include adult caretakers, children separated from a family unit, and displaced populations. In addition, the bill establishes a working group comprised of representatives from relevant USAID bureaus, the Department of State, and other federal agencies. The purpose of the working group is to ensure continuity and integration of MHPSS across U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs. The provisions of the bill expire five years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes federal restrictions that previously limited methadone prescribing for opioid use disorder, allowing certified addiction specialists and program employees to prescribe methadone through pharmacies for up to 30 days per electronic prescription. It directly affects patients with opioid use disorder who can now access treatment more flexibly outside traditional clinic settings, and healthcare providers who gain new prescribing authority. Key provisions include requiring electronic prescriptions, mandating patient informed consent about confidentiality differences, and permitting telehealth for counseling and ancillary services. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress tracking registered providers and patients served.

Maddy summaryHR 1375, the EFFECTIVE Act, requires the FDA to deny approval for new opioid pain medications unless they demonstrate a significant safety or effectiveness advantage over existing opioid drugs. This directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing new opioid analgesics by raising the approval standard. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to mandate that the FDA Secretary must determine if a new opioid offers meaningful benefits before granting approval. It does not change approval for non-opioid drugs or existing opioid medications.

Maddy summaryHR 1328, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2023, requires certain home-use medical devices (like blood pressure monitors and sleep apnea machines) to include nonvisual accessibility features - such as voice commands or audio feedback - by 2025. It directly affects blind or low-vision users who rely on these devices for independent, safe, and private care at home. The bill mandates that devices classified as Class II or III (and cleared via FDA processes) must meet accessibility standards ensuring equal usability for blind or low-vision individuals, with limited waivers allowed for manufacturers facing undue hardship. The FDA will develop and enforce these standards within two years, consulting with accessibility experts and blind users.

Informing New Factors and Options for Reproductive Care Act of 2023 or the INFO for Reproductive Care Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a campaign to educate health care professionals (and health care professions students) about assisting patients to navigate legal issues related to abortions and other reproductive health care services.

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 17) strengthens equal pay protections by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It prohibits pay discrimination based on sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The bill modifies employer defenses for pay differences to require demonstration that any disparity is job-related, consistent with business necessity, and accounts for the entire pay differential. It also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when making hiring decisions or setting pay, enhances penalties for violations, and requires the EEOC to collect compensation data disaggregated by sex, race, and national origin.