Rep. Jerrold Nadler

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that (1) medication abortion is appropriately approved and regulated under federal law, and (2) federal law preempts any in-person dispensing requirements or telehealth restrictions with respect to medication abortion under state law.

Competitive Prices Act This bill makes consciously parallel pricing coordination (i.e., a tacit agreement among two or more persons to raise, lower, change, maintain, or manipulate pricing for the purchase or sale of reasonably interchangeable products or services) a prohibited form of price fixing. In a civil action for a claimed violation, the plaintiff may shift the burden of proof to the defendant by demonstrating that two or more persons (1) engaged in substantially similar conduct within a substantially similar time period with respect to the pricing of reasonably interchangeable products, and (2) had a similar motivation to coordinate their efforts to change or manipulate the pricing of those products or services. The defendant may rebut such a presumption of a violation by demonstrating the action was motivated by business judgment that is economically rational in the absence of a tacit agreement, such as by showing the action was in response to, or in anticipation of, changing market conditions for the product or service. If the defendant rebuts the presumption, the plaintiff must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant entered a tacit agreement to change or manipulate the pricing for the product or service, such as by showing the business judgment of the defendant was not rational in the absence of such a tacit agreement.

Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 911 Act or the PROTECT 911 Act This bill establishes a grant program, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop resources, for addressing mental health conditions among public safety telecommunicators. These include 9-1-1 operators and other public safety personnel who are responsible for responding to requests for emergency assistance. Specifically, HHS must award grants to state, local, and regional emergency communications centers or nonprofits for behavioral health and wellness programs to prevent and mitigate job-related mental health issues among public safety telecommunicators. Additionally, HHS must develop and disseminate (1) best practices for identifying, preventing, and treating post-traumatic stress disorder among public safety telecommunicators; and (2) resources for educating mental health professionals about the workplace culture of, stressors and challenges experienced by, and therapies for treating mental health issues common to public safety telecommunicators.

Maddy summaryThe Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act establishes new standards for Department of Homeland Security detention facilities, requiring them to meet or exceed the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The bill mandates annual, unannounced inspections by the DHS Inspector General, public reporting on facility compliance, and a phased-out timeline for private detention facilities (phasing out by 3 years after enactment). It prohibits solitary confinement for all detainees, requires community-based alternatives to detention for vulnerable individuals, and mandates detailed public reporting on facility conditions, staffing, and detainee demographics. The legislation directly affects all immigrants held in DHS custody, including children, vulnerable persons, and primary caregivers, with specific protections for these groups in detention procedures.

Maddy summaryHR 2777, the School Meals during School Closures Act, allows schools to continue providing meals during certain closures without following standard meal program rules. It directly affects schools and meal providers by enabling the Secretary to waive requirements under the National School Lunch Act for closures due to strikes (excluding employer lockouts), weather disasters, public health emergencies, unsafe facilities, construction, or other unanticipated events. The key provision creates a new waiver exception (added to Section 12 of the Act) that skips specific regulatory hurdles normally required for meal services during these closures. This change ensures students can still receive meals when schools close unexpectedly for covered reasons.

Maddy summaryHRES 269 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 30, 2023. It recognizes the federal government's duty to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect transgender and nonbinary people. The resolution outlines key provisions, including ensuring access to gender-affirming medical care, ending discrimination in employment and housing, and improving legal recognition of gender identity on government documents. It also calls for addressing systemic barriers in education, safety, and economic security faced by transgender and nonbinary individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 2715, the Keep Our PACT Act, mandates increased federal funding for two key education programs. It requires specific annual funding levels for Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (which supports high-poverty schools) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteeing students with disabilities access to a high-quality education. The bill sets mandatory funding amounts that rise each year, with IDEA funding gradually increasing to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for students with disabilities by fiscal year 2033. This directly affects school districts receiving Title I funds and states administering IDEA services for students with disabilities. The bill fulfills a prior commitment made under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

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 summaryHR 2693, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2023, ensures Coast Guard members, civilian staff, and qualifying contractors receive pay and benefits during specific funding gaps. It requires Congress to appropriate funds for Coast Guard personnel pay, allowances, and key benefits (like death gratuities and housing allowances) if a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse occurs - when Coast Guard funding isn’t approved before a fiscal year starts but Department of Defense funding is. The bill mandates these payments continue until a full appropriation is enacted or for up to two weeks after the lapse begins, with costs charged to future appropriations. This addresses a gap in funding continuity for Coast Guard personnel during government shutdowns affecting only the Coast Guard.