Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan

Maddy summaryThe SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act raises the asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, allowing more savings without reducing benefits. It increases the individual resource limit from $2,250 to $20,000 (and couples from $1,500 to $10,000) in 2023, with future increases tied to inflation. The bill automatically adjusts these limits annually using the Consumer Price Index to maintain purchasing power. This directly affects low-income elderly, disabled, and blind individuals who rely on SSI by reducing the financial penalty for saving modest amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal grants to improve K-12 math and statistics education through mathematical and statistical modeling. It funds competitive grants for schools and nonprofits to develop teacher training, real-world data analysis curricula (using computational tools), and partnerships with colleges, industries, and communities. The program specifically targets underserved student groups, rural schools, and critical transitions (like middle-to-high school), emphasizing problem-solving with messy, contextual data. It authorizes $10 million annually (2024-2028) for these initiatives and mandates a separate NASEM study to identify best practices for implementing modeling education nationwide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, with public access to these rules on the Court's website. It sets minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and strengthens recusal requirements when justices have financial ties to parties in cases. The bill creates procedures for filing complaints about justices' conduct and establishes a judicial investigation panel to review such complaints, while also requiring parties and amicus curiae to disclose gifts to justices and lobbying activities related to the nomination of justices. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in Supreme Court operations.

Maddy summaryThe Pray Safe Act of 2023 establishes a federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Homeland Security to provide evidence-based safety and security resources for houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit organizations. The Clearinghouse compiles best practices covering threat prevention, emergency response, and recovery, along with a comprehensive index of federal grant programs available to these groups. It requires annual updates based on user feedback and includes contact points for security assistance, such as Protective Security Advisors and fusion centers. The resource aims to improve safety planning without creating new obligations for affected organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Medicaid rules to ensure states cannot block payment for mental health services or primary care services provided on the same day to the same individual at the same facility. It directly affects Medicaid recipients, particularly youth needing integrated care, by removing barriers to accessing both types of services during a single visit. The key provision requires Medicaid plans to cover both services without restrictions if they are provided together on the same day at the same location (like a clinic). This change simplifies access for patients who would otherwise face delays or denied coverage for combined care. The bill does not alter eligibility or funding but clarifies payment rules for coordinated care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership program to coordinate conservation efforts across federal, state, tribal, and local entities in the 5-state Connecticut River region (CT, MA, ME, NH, VT). It creates a grant program providing competitive matching funds to eligible entities - like states, tribes, nonprofits, and universities - to carry out restoration and protection projects, with 90% federal funding available for projects serving environmental justice communities. Key provisions include requiring equitable fund distribution, prioritizing nature-based solutions for climate resilience, and mandating public engagement with environmental justice communities. The program focuses on improving water quality, habitat restoration, public access, and tribal cultural practices while coordinating with existing watershed management groups.

Maddy summaryS 2574, the FAIR Leave Act, repeals a time limit on leave for employees caring for a spouse under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It removes Section 102(f) of the FMLA (29 U.S.C. 2612(f)), which previously restricted the duration of leave for a spouse's serious health condition. This change directly affects employees who need to take FMLA leave to care for a spouse with a serious health issue, eliminating a prior cap on the leave period. The bill makes no new provisions but updates existing law to allow continuous leave without the previous time restriction.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 strengthens enforcement of the existing Animal Welfare Act by requiring dealers and exhibitors to maintain valid licenses for animal sales or transport. It expands enforcement authority for both the USDA and the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation per day), seize animals in violation cases, and use penalty funds to cover temporary care costs for animals during legal proceedings. The bill also clarifies that enforcement applies to rules and regulations under the Act, and mandates a new coordination agreement between the USDA and DOJ to address repeat violators. These changes directly affect animal dealers, exhibitors, and federal enforcement agencies, improving accountability for animal welfare violations.

Maddy summaryThe EPCS 2.0 Act requires most health insurance plans and group health plans to mandate electronic prescriptions for schedule II-V controlled substances (like opioids and sedatives) for covered beneficiaries starting January 1, 2025. It directly affects health insurers, employers offering group plans, and healthcare providers writing prescriptions for these medications. Key exceptions include hospice/nursing home prescriptions, temporary tech failures, and public health emergencies where non-electronic prescriptions remain valid. The law prohibits insurers from rejecting claims based on prescription format or requiring pharmacies to verify electronic transmission, while preserving patient choice of pharmacy and existing valid written/phone prescriptions.