Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr.

Maddy summarySRES 378 is a Senate resolution designating September 25-October 1, 2023, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the work of institutions that enroll at least 10% Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander students and highlights their role in serving over 46% of such students nationwide. The resolution encourages eligible institutions to seek federal funding and marks the 16th anniversary of the program established by the 2007 College Cost Reduction Act. It does not create new policies or funding but formally acknowledges these institutions' contributions to higher education.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates September 25-29, 2023, as "National Hazing Awareness Week" to highlight hazing prevention efforts. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the issue and encourages public awareness. The Senate emphasizes that hazing prevention requires ongoing commitment beyond a single week, urging communities to promote safety and well-being. It directly affects the general public, educational institutions, and campus communities by raising visibility for a longstanding concern.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2982) mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into online sales of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The GAO must examine business models used by illicit sellers, how financial transactions occur via online platforms (especially impacting users under 18), federal and state government collaboration efforts, and how platforms detect and report drug sales. The study will analyze enforcement processes, referral patterns to law enforcement, and identify gaps in current efforts. The GAO must submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes or direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require colleges receiving federal grants to implement new mental health programs specifically for college athletes. It mandates institutions to provide services including real-time counseling, peer support, crisis line access (like 988), staff training to recognize mental distress, and campus education to reduce stigma. Colleges seeking these grants must obtain written support from their athletics departments. The policy directly affects college athletes and institutions of higher education participating in federally funded mental health initiatives. It creates concrete requirements for grant-funded programs rather than proposing new legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 372) expresses concern about the rising trend of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries, citing PEN America data showing nearly 3,400 book removals affecting 1,557 titles from July 2022-June 2023. It specifically highlights disproportionate bans targeting books with LGBTQ+ themes (36%) or content about race/racism (37%), including titles like *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus*. The resolution urges local schools and libraries to follow established guidelines (e.g., from the American Library Association) when addressing book challenges and reaffirms support for First Amendment rights to read and access diverse perspectives. It does not create new laws but formally calls for protecting students’ access to literature reflecting diverse viewpoints.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Medicare coverage for preventive home visits to assess safety risks and health needs. It defines a "preventive home visit" as an in-person, remote, or hybrid assessment by a qualified professional, conducted no more frequently than once every two years, focusing on fall prevention, home modifications, and nutrition referrals. Medicare will cover 100% of the cost for these visits starting January 1, 2025, using a bundled payment system. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, particularly older adults at risk of falls or home safety issues, by expanding access to non-clinical preventive services.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Delaware River Basin Conservation program through 2030, extending its current deadline. It updates the basin's definition to include Maryland as a fifth participating state (previously a four-state basin) and adjusts cost-sharing rules to provide greater federal funding for projects serving small, rural, or disadvantaged communities - increasing the federal share to 90% (or up to 100% in cases of financial hardship). The changes directly affect the five basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and now Maryland) and communities qualifying under the new cost-sharing provisions. The bill makes no new program creation but extends existing conservation funding mechanisms with expanded eligibility for vulnerable areas.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 361, introduced on September 26, 2023, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established key anti-discrimination protections for people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes the Act's role in advancing civil rights through provisions like Section 504 (prohibiting disability discrimination in federally funded programs) and Section 508 (ensuring accessible technology), while calling for continued efforts to address remaining barriers. It specifically urges Federal agencies to strengthen enforcement of accessibility standards and focus on equity for people with disabilities from underserved communities, including people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and those in rural or low-income areas.

Maddy summaryThe Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act of 2023 directs federal health agencies to establish a national system for studying chronic pain, defined as pain lasting longer than three months. It requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect and standardize anonymous health data - including demographics, treatment costs, and risk factors - using medical claims and surveys to fill research gaps. The CDC must also create a public website (the Chronic Pain Information Hub) to share aggregated research, clinical tools, and annual updates on data collection efforts. This law affects federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, aiming to improve understanding of chronic pain conditions that impact millions of Americans, with funding authorized through 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the private possession, sale, or transfer of rifles capable of firing .50 caliber ammunition, with exceptions for government use and rifles lawfully owned before the law's enactment. It requires owners of such rifles to register them with the National Firearms Registry within 12 months (without fees), and adds these rifles to existing federal firearm reporting requirements. The bill also expands restrictions to prevent firearms from reaching foreign narcotics traffickers designated under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Act and modifies legal protections for gun sellers who knowingly supply prohibited weapons.