Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

Maddy summaryThis bill enhances the existing American Battlefield Protection Program by expanding eligibility for grants to include Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, alongside States and local governments. It clarifies that eligible sites must be identified in the 1993 Civil War battlefield report or 2007 Revolutionary War/War of 1812 report, excluding sites already within National Park boundaries. The bill also requires the Secretary to submit updated battlefield condition reports to Congress every 10 years, starting two years after enactment, tracking preservation efforts and battlefield changes. These changes streamline program administration and ensure ongoing assessment of historic battlefield sites.

Maddy summaryHRES 1588 is a House resolution supporting Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) by recognizing the epidemic of violence against transgender people and memorializing those killed between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. It specifically honors 38 transgender or gender-nonconforming individuals whose lives were lost to violence during that period, highlighting that transgender women of color face disproportionate risks. The resolution acknowledges systemic issues like underreporting, barriers to healthcare, and higher rates of homelessness and suicide within the community. It calls for the U.S. government to prioritize solutions to this violence while affirming transgender people's right to dignity and safety. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes these issues for congressional record.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal commission to address racial and gender biases in school discipline and improve mental health support for students of color. The commission will develop guidelines for tracking restorative practices, define key terms like "restorative justice," create training materials for school staff on culturally competent approaches, and recommend student-to-counselor ratios for schools receiving federal funds. The commission, composed of 13 members including federal agency representatives, advocates, and students of color, will report annually for five years on progress, including how training reduced disproportionate discipline. The bill directly affects elementary and secondary schools, school personnel, and students of color by establishing a structured process for implementing equitable practices.

Maddy summaryHRES 1581 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for designating November 2024 as "Prematurity Awareness Month." It highlights the U.S. maternal and infant health crisis, including higher preterm birth rates and disparities affecting Black and Native American women and their infants. The resolution urges Americans, communities, and organizations to observe the month through events and education focused on preterm birth prevention. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about this health issue, which contributes to infant mortality and costs an estimated $25.2 billion annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Medicaid from covering conversion therapy for any enrollee. It amends federal law to block Medicaid payments for any therapy aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity (defined as "conversion therapy" in the bill), starting in the first full quarter after the law takes effect. The prohibition applies to all Medicaid providers who offer such therapy for compensation, but explicitly excludes support for gender transition, acceptance-based care, and interventions focused on safety or unlawful conduct. It directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking therapy and providers who previously billed for conversion therapy services.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the operating period for the African American Civil Rights Network program from 7 years to 10 years after the act's enactment. It directly affects the existing program, which supports organizations preserving civil rights history and promoting education, by allowing it to continue operating for a longer duration without needing new congressional approval. The change is a straightforward extension of an existing authorization period under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 9528) is a ceremonial renaming resolution. It redesignates two specific park features at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park: the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and Overlook Park, to honor Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. The bill updates all official references in government documents, maps, and records to reflect these new names. It has no policy impact beyond commemorating the congressman with permanent naming changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month to highlight a health condition affecting an estimated 80% of women by age 50. It specifically recognizes the disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic women (with 3x and 2x higher incidence rates than White women) and calls for increased public awareness about symptoms and treatment options. The resolution encourages the President to issue a proclamation urging educational activities during July to address this common but often underdiagnosed condition.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 132 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of November 11-17, 2024, as "National Caregiving Youth Week." It directly affects children and adolescents under 18 who serve as primary or secondary caregivers for family members with health conditions, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging needs. The resolution supports raising public awareness about this underserved population (estimated at over 5 million nationwide), encourages recognition by educators and policymakers, and calls for updated federal research on their needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to highlight challenges these youth face balancing caregiving with education and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1558) is a symbolic House of Representatives measure supporting October as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally expresses the House's support for raising awareness about domestic violence and its impacts, and urges continued backing for existing programs that address domestic violence. The resolution cites statistics on domestic violence prevalence (e.g., 24 people per minute affected by intimate partner violence) to underscore the importance of the observance. It directly affects public awareness efforts but does not change policies or directly impact individuals.