Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to fund training for law enforcement officers on interacting with people with disabilities and older adults with cognitive impairments. Nonprofit disability organizations will receive grants to develop training programs requiring at least 8 hours of mandatory training for new officers (including 4 hours of interactive learning with covered individuals) and 4 hours of annual refresher training for existing officers. The training covers communication strategies, de-escalation techniques, identifying disabilities, and community resources, with a requirement that covered individuals serve as instructors. Funded at $100 million annually through 2026, the program aims to reduce violent encounters based on findings that people with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime and disproportionately affected by police violence.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2023 extends the timeframe for individuals to file claims related to radiation exposure from nuclear testing and uranium mining operations. It increases compensation amounts for certain claims from $50,000-$75,000 to $150,000, expands eligibility criteria for leukemia and other specified diseases, and adds medical benefits for claimants. The bill extends the fund's operational period from 2 years to 19 years after enactment, allows affidavits to support claims, and creates a new $3 million annual grant program to study uranium mining's health impacts. These changes primarily affect individuals exposed to radiation during atmospheric nuclear testing (1944-1962) or who worked in uranium mines/mills (1942-1990), including miners, millers, core drillers, and their family members.
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.
Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification 2.0 Act or the BENES 2.0 Act This bill requires Social Security account statements for individuals attaining ages 60 to 65 to include information about Medicare eligibility, late enrollment penalties, benefit coordination, and related resources. Statements with the required information must be mailed to individuals at least three months before they turn 65; the required information must also be mailed to those who are age 65 or over and are entitled to Social Security benefits three months before their initial Medicare enrollment period begins.
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 extends Medicare reimbursement rate increases for ground ambulance services through 2028. It adjusts specific payment percentages for ambulance providers: maintaining a 26.7% rate increase for "super rural" ambulance services and setting 4.3% and 3.4% increases for other ground ambulance services during 2025-2028. These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries using ground ambulance services and the ambulance providers who serve them, particularly in rural areas. The bill modifies existing Social Security Act provisions to adjust payment rates without altering Medicare eligibility or coverage rules. It provides temporary rate adjustments to help sustain ambulance service availability during this period.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program to increase annual funding from $10 million to $15 million for fiscal years 2024-2028, expanding support for farmers and ranchers facing mental health challenges. It adds crisis lines to the program's services and creates new referral pathways to connect individuals with certified community clinics, rural health centers, and other approved healthcare providers. The changes directly affect agricultural workers and their families by improving access to behavioral health counseling and wellness support. Key provisions include updated funding levels and expanded partnerships with specific healthcare facilities to ensure comprehensive mental health care.
Maddy summaryS 1665 establishes an Advisory Commission to study mental health challenges faced by college students. The Commission, appointed by the Secretary of Education within 60 days of the bill's enactment, will include 20 members representing students with mental health disabilities, university staff, advocacy groups, and federal agencies. It will examine campus mental health services, policies affecting students, and data on how mental health impacts academic success, then produce a final report with recommendations. The bill does not directly fund services but aims to provide evidence-based guidance to improve support for students with mental health needs across all higher education institutions.
Maddy summaryThe SAVE Act of 2023 protects U.S. agricultural producers' right to use common product names - like "Cheddar" for cheese or "Zinfandel" for wine - in foreign markets. It requires the Agriculture Secretary and Trade Representative to negotiate agreements ensuring these names remain usable, while excluding geographic terms like "Champagne" (which refer to specific regions). The bill defines "common name" as a term typically used on U.S. product labels, consistent with international standards. It mandates a biennial report to Congress on progress in securing these rights for U.S. exporters.