Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Maddy summaryHR 3910, titled "Dillon’s Law," amends federal public health grants to prioritize states that permit trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine during severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). States receiving these grants must certify they have civil liability protection laws shielding trained individuals who provide emergency aid. The bill defines "trained individual" as someone with approved medical training in epinephrine use and clarifies it does not alter existing liability protections under other laws. This policy change directly affects state governments seeking federal public health funding by linking grant eligibility to specific state-level regulations on emergency epinephrine access.

Maddy summaryHR 3850, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit individuals). The bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. It explicitly prohibits grant funds from being used for conversion therapy or advertising related to such therapy. The bill also requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and a federal survey to measure psychological distress.

Maddy summaryHR 3879, the Supporting Families through Addiction Act of 2023, provides federal grants to nonprofit organizations that support families with members struggling with substance use disorder. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2024-2028) to fund community-based family support services, including education, stigma reduction, and connecting families to treatment resources. Grants cover up to 85% of costs and require organizations to be led by experts, including families with lived experience. This directly affects families navigating addiction in their households by expanding access to evidence-based support programs and improving provider knowledge about family impacts.

Maddy summaryHR 3860, the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, removes the exclusion that previously prevented incarcerated individuals under 65 from receiving Medicaid or CHIP health care coverage. The bill amends the Social Security Act to allow states to provide Medicaid, CHIP, or pregnancy-related assistance to incarcerated people starting January 1, 2024. It requires the Comptroller General to report annually on health care access, quality, and outcomes for incarcerated people, including post-release enrollment in community health programs. The legislation also states Congress' view that incarceration should not be used to provide health care unavailable in communities, and federal funds should not replace community-based health investments. This is a policy change directly affecting incarcerated individuals' health care eligibility and state program administration.

Maddy summaryHR 3805, the KIDS Health Act of 2023, establishes a federal demonstration project to test integrated "whole child health" models in up to 15 states. It authorizes $125 million to fund states in designing and implementing community-based programs that address children’s physical, mental, emotional, developmental, and social health needs - specifically for Medicaid-eligible children under 21. Key provisions require states to conduct comprehensive needs assessments, coordinate services across Medicaid, schools, and community partners, adopt value-based payment systems, and integrate primary care with mental health and substance use services. The 48-72 month demonstration will mandate regular reporting on outcomes, health disparities, and best practices, with final evaluation reports to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act establishes a monthly child tax credit of $250 per month for each child under age 6 and $300 per month for each child aged 6-18, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if the taxpayer owes no income tax, and will be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill includes detailed rules for determining eligibility, including requirements that the child resides with the taxpayer for more than half the month and provisions to prevent fraud through recapture of improperly received payments. The credit will be paid monthly in advance rather than as a single annual payment, with specific mechanisms for calculating and distributing the payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier for college students seeking food assistance by amending the SNAP program rules. It directly affects students enrolled at least half-time in recognized colleges or training programs, who were previously automatically ineligible unless they met separate requirements. The key change eliminates the prior restriction (in section 6(e)) that barred most higher education students from SNAP, allowing them to qualify under the new provision in section 3(m)(5)(F). The changes take effect January 2, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 3036, the Increased TSP Access Act of 2023, amends conservation program rules to expand access to third-party providers (TSPs) who offer technical assistance to farmers on conservation practices. It creates new pathways for non-Federal entities like agricultural cooperatives or professional associations to certify TSPs, streamlines certification processes (requiring Secretary review within 10 business days), and sets payment rates for TSPs equivalent to government-provided technical assistance. The bill mandates public reporting on certification numbers, payment details, and a target utilization rate for TSPs to improve conservation program delivery. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by increasing options for technical support and requiring transparency in how TSPs are certified and compensated.

Maddy summaryHRES 459 is a resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for designating June 2, 2023, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2023 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It encourages the public to wear orange, promote gun safety awareness, and discuss community safety measures during this time, particularly highlighting the summer months when gun violence often increases. The resolution references statistics on gun violence deaths and pays tribute to victims like Hadiya Pendleton, but does not create new laws or impose requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 3713 creates federal grants to fund comprehensive school-based mental health programs for students in grades K-12, including those in Bureau of Indian Education schools. It requires partnerships between schools and community mental health providers to deliver trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services addressing suicide risk, grief, violence, and trauma exposure. The bill authorizes $300 million annually (2024-2027) for these programs, mandating privacy protections under HIPAA and FERPA, and requires annual reporting on program effectiveness.