Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies to collect and report disability status data during interactions with individuals with disabilities. It establishes an advisory council (with over 50% members having disabilities) to develop standardized data collection methods, which the Bureau of Justice Statistics must implement in its Police-Public Contact Survey. The bill also amends death-in-custody reporting to mandate inclusion of disability status in all federal submissions. These requirements apply to state and federal law enforcement agencies that report to federal databases.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs federal health programs to prioritize services for racial and ethnic minority groups experiencing mental health disparities. It creates a new grant program (amending the Public Health Service Act) requiring special consideration for community health centers serving these populations, and mandates a National Institutes of Health study on disparities in mental health outcomes, including impacts of trauma and bias. The bill also requires training standards for health professionals in culturally appropriate care and funds a national outreach strategy to reduce stigma and improve access to evidence-based treatments. Key funding includes $750 million annually for the National Institute on Minority Health and $150 million for NIH mental health research through 2029.

Maddy summaryThe Neighbors Not Enemies Act (S 1747) repeals sections 50 U.S.C. 21-24, which formed the Alien Enemies Act - a law permitting the president to detain or deport non-citizens from enemy nations during wartime. This repeal removes a specific wartime authority from U.S. law, directly affecting the executive branch's legal powers during conflicts and non-citizens potentially subject to such actions. The bill does not create new policies but eliminates an existing legal provision without altering other immigration or national security statutes. It focuses solely on repealing this historical wartime measure, with no new requirements or affected groups beyond the scope of the repealed law.

Maddy summaryThe Build Housing with Care Act of 2023 establishes a competitive grant program to fund the co-location of affordable housing developments with licensed child care providers. It directly affects low-income families in housing facilities, particularly in "child care deserts" (areas with severe shortages of licensed providers), by requiring grantees to partner with eligible child care providers serving these communities. Key mechanisms include awarding grants up to $10 million per project for planning, construction, or renovation of co-location facilities, with priority given to projects in underserved areas or serving very-low-income families. The program requires applicants to certify no resident evictions will occur, include resident engagement plans, and demonstrate compliance with environmental and licensing standards, with $100 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2024-2029.

Maddy summaryThe Responsible Firearms Marketing Act requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study firearm advertising practices, specifically examining ads that may target minors, imply illegal use, or promote semiautomatic assault weapons. Within two years, the FTC must report findings and recommend regulations to ban such deceptive practices. If enacted, the FTC would create rules prohibiting firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers from using ads that appeal to children, suggest illegal activity, or market assault weapons. The law would apply existing FTC enforcement authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act to these new regulations. This directly affects gun industry businesses by restricting certain advertising tactics.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Act of 2023 allocates federal funding to strengthen 211 information and referral services and 988 mental health crisis services nationwide. It requires states to coordinate these services to ensure 24/7 availability, improve accessibility for people with disabilities, and reduce inappropriate 911 calls by connecting individuals with human services instead of law enforcement. The bill authorizes $550 million annually for 2024-2025 (split between 211 and 988 services) and $450 million annually for 2026-2030, with states required to establish oversight bodies to monitor service quality and racial equity. States must use funds to expand access to mental health and human services, particularly in underserved communities, while tracking how many 911 calls are diverted to appropriate services.

Maddy summaryThe BAN Fossil Fuel Exports Act would give the President authority to restrict U.S. exports of coal, petroleum, natural gas, and energy-related equipment. It specifically prohibits exports of U.S. crude oil and natural gas, with possible exemptions if the President determines they serve national interest. Exemptions could be based on destination, purpose, or other criteria, but must align with the bill's goals. This directly affects U.S. energy producers and exporters seeking international markets for fossil fuels.

Maddy summaryThe Affordability is Access Act of 2023 requires health insurance plans to cover over-the-counter contraceptives approved by the FDA without cost-sharing (such as copays or deductibles). It directly affects millions of people, especially those who rely on birth control but face cost barriers, including low-income individuals and people in contraceptive deserts. The bill clarifies that insurance coverage must include FDA-approved OTC contraceptives even without a prescription, and it mandates retailers to provide accurate information about these products without interfering with access. Retailers may refuse to sell the product if payment cannot be made, but they cannot block access or spread misinformation.

Maddy summaryThe Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023 would establish federal grant programs to fund comprehensive sex education and sexual health services for young people aged 10-29. It authorizes $100 million annually to support evidence-based sex education in schools and colleges, educator training, and youth-friendly sexual health services specifically designed for marginalized young people including Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ youth. The bill prohibits funding for abstinence-only education and requires programs to be medically accurate, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. Grants would require reporting on how services reach diverse youth populations, including disaggregation by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This legislation aims to address current gaps in sex education that disproportionately affect marginalized young people.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of "unlawful seclusion or restraint" in schools receiving federal funding, including mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints that pose risks to students. It requires schools to implement positive behavioral interventions instead of restraint, mandates staff training in crisis intervention, and establishes procedures for reporting and following up after restraint incidents. The bill requires states to create monitoring plans and collect detailed data on restraint use, with specific reporting requirements for schools and Head Start programs. Schools must provide immediate parent notification after restraint incidents and hold meetings to discuss prevention strategies. The bill applies to public schools, special education schools, and other federally funded programs, but does not affect private schools not receiving federal support or home schools.