Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2024 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen protections against "soring" - the deliberate infliction of pain on horses to exaggerate their gait, primarily affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at shows, exhibitions, or sales. Key provisions include defining prohibited "action devices" (like certain boots or weighted shoes), implementing stricter disqualification periods for sore horses (180 days, then 1 year, then 3 years), requiring licensed, conflict-free inspectors, and increasing penalties for violations (fines up to $5,000 per offense and up to 3 years in prison). The bill directly affects event organizers, inspectors, competitors, and horse owners by mandating new inspection protocols and enforcement. It focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent animal cruelty in the horse show industry.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit youth). It funds eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. The bill explicitly bans the use of grant funds for conversion therapy and requires the development of a federal survey measuring mental health outcomes among these youth. It also mandates reports on mental health care in foster care and social services programs within two years.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right for patients to access fertility treatments without unreasonable restrictions, protects health care providers who offer these services, and requires insurance coverage for such treatments. It guarantees patients the right to continue ongoing treatments under written agreements and retain control over reproductive materials. States cannot impose requirements that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures or that don’t significantly advance safety. Violations can be challenged in federal court by the government, patients, or providers, while states may still enforce health/safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive.
Maddy summaryThe Youth Mental Health Data Act of 2023 establishes a federal task force to improve how youth mental health data is collected and shared across government agencies and health systems. The task force, including federal agency heads and non-federal members (like youth advocates and medical experts), must develop a national strategy for real-time data integration covering demographics (age, race, gender), health system involvement (juvenile justice, child welfare), and digital technology impacts. It will track electronic health record usage, foster public-private research partnerships, and create a public website displaying youth mental health trends and federal efforts. This bill directly affects federal agencies, state governments (via reports to governors), and youth mental health systems by standardizing data collection to better understand needs and evidence-based interventions.
Maddy summaryThe Supporting All Students Act (S 3525) creates a national 24/7 youth peer-to-peer support line connected to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, providing emotional support, mental health resources, and referrals for youth aged 10-24 facing stress, mental health challenges, or adverse circumstances like bullying or homelessness. It also establishes a federal grant program to help schools in high-poverty areas hire non-licensed mental health coordinators who partner with licensed professionals to identify at-risk students, connect them to community resources, and strengthen social support networks. The bill requires culturally appropriate services for underserved groups - including foster youth, people with disabilities, and those with basic needs like housing - and mandates annual reports on program effectiveness. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2024-2029.
Maddy summaryS 3026, the NOW Act, repeals restrictions on offshore wind leasing included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It removes specific limitations that previously constrained the Department of the Interior from issuing offshore wind leases or rights-of-way. The bill amends Section 50265 of the Inflation Reduction Act by striking outdated language and reformatting provisions to clarify that the Secretary may issue these leases without the prior restrictions. This directly affects offshore wind energy developers and federal agencies managing ocean leasing. The change streamlines the leasing process but does not create new requirements or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes funding for the National Firefighter Cancer Registry, which tracks cancer cases among firefighters. It increases annual funding from $2.5 million (2018-2022) to $5.5 million for fiscal years 2024-2028. The registry remains voluntary, collecting data on firefighters diagnosed with cancer to better understand occupational risks. This funding ensures the program continues operating to gather and analyze cancer incidence data. The direct effect is on the registry program itself, enabling ongoing data collection for firefighter health research.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the service of Army and Navy nurses who served during World War II. It directly recognizes approximately 73,000 nurses (including those who died in action or captivity) who provided critical medical care under combat conditions across 6 continents. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be displayed at institutions like the Smithsonian, the Women in Military Service Memorial, and military museums. The bill is purely commemorative, with no new benefits or policy changes, focusing solely on formal recognition of their wartime contributions.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring working dogs, including $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins, to be sold starting January 1, 2025. A surcharge of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, and $5 per half-dollar coin will be added to the sale price, with all surcharge funds directed to America’s VetDogs to support its service dog programs for veterans and people with disabilities. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued for one year (2025), with production limited to specified quantities (50,000 gold, 500,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The bill does not create new government programs but uses commemorative coin sales to fund existing service dog initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Navy pilot Everett Alvarez, Jr., for his service as a Vietnam War POW and subsequent public service. It directs the Speaker of the House and Senate President pro tempore to arrange for the medal's presentation, specifying it must bear his name and image. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. The bill is purely ceremonial, recognizing Alvarez's 8+ years as a prisoner of war and his post-military career. It does not create new policies or affect any government programs.