The HEARTS Act of 2024 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop educational materials about cardiomyopathy for schools, families, and health professionals within 18 months of enactment. These materials will explain signs of heart conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults, provide guidelines for AED placement in schools, and include CPR training information. The bill also authorizes research on cardiomyopathy, requires a report on existing CDC activities related to the condition, and allows grants for schools to implement AED and CPR programs. The legislation does not appropriate new funds for these activities, relying on existing resources to support its provisions.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires colleges and universities to publicly report hazing incidents involving student organizations. It defines hazing as intentional acts causing physical or psychological harm during initiation or membership in student groups, including activities like forced substance consumption, sleep deprivation, or sexual acts. Institutions must include hazing statistics in annual security reports and publish a "Campus Hazing Transparency Report" on their websites by July 1, 2025, detailing findings about organizations violating hazing policies. The reports must include organization names, violation descriptions, and key dates while excluding personally identifiable student information. This applies to all colleges participating in federal student aid programs.
The First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act (HR 3254) establishes a review process for first responders - such as police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel - to request grants for specialized equipment that doesn't meet existing national standards. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate applications based on factors including whether international standards exist, the nature of the capability gap being addressed, and whether the equipment better serves specific needs than standard alternatives. The review process must consider current or past federal use of the equipment, the absence of national standards, and other relevant factors outlined in the legislation. This law mandates an Inspector General report within three years assessing how many applications were reviewed, granted, or denied, and processing times for these requests.
This bill, HR 1097 (Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023), authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr., in recognition of his service as a U.S. Navy pilot and Vietnam War prisoner of war. It directly honors Alvarez, who was the first U.S. pilot shot down in the Vietnam War, spent over 8.5 years in captivity, and later served in the Peace Corps and Veterans Administration. The bill’s key mechanism is directing the U.S. Mint to strike a gold medal bearing his name and image, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. It does not create new policies or affect any group beyond the honoree.
This bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.
The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.
The Firefighter Cancer Registry Reauthorization Act of 2023 reauthorizes the federal program established by the 2018 Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. It increases annual funding from $2.5 million to $5.5 million and extends the program through fiscal year 2028, replacing the previous 2018-2022 funding period. The registry collects voluntary cancer incidence data from firefighters to help researchers study occupational cancer risks in the profession. This ensures continued data collection to support efforts improving firefighter health and safety.
This bill establishes a commission to study whether the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia should be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. The commission, composed of 8 members appointed by congressional leaders with expertise in Jewish American history and museum administration, will examine the museum's collections, financial status, governance, and feasibility of transfer within two years. The commission must submit a report detailing findings, a fundraising plan, and legislative recommendations for any potential transfer. The bill does not transfer the museum but creates a process to evaluate the possibility.
HR 7438 directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins will be sold to the public at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively), with all surcharge revenue paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. for U.S. soccer programs. These funds must support soccer initiatives, particularly in underserved communities and youth development, as specified in the bill. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued during 2026, with no net cost to the U.S. government.
This bill extends funding for the existing Public Health Service Act program focused on raising public awareness about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It authorizes $33 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to support public health education and outreach initiatives. The program directly affects public health organizations and community groups that develop and distribute educational materials about Alzheimer's prevention, diagnosis, and care. The key provision is the multi-year funding extension, ensuring continued support for nationwide awareness efforts without altering the program's core structure.
This bill designates the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Marine Unit at 101 Km 18.5 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, as the "Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit" to honor Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda, who was mortally wounded during a 2022 drug interdiction operation. The bill ensures all future government documents, maps, and references will use this new name for the unit. It does not change policies, funding, or operations - only commemorates Agent Maceda's service and sacrifice.
The "Think Differently About Emergencies Act" (HR 6249) requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress within 120 days on how it supports individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families during major disasters. The report must detail FEMA’s resources, training, programs, and outreach efforts to states, localities, and nonprofits for these individuals. Within one year, FEMA and the Comptroller General must also review current assistance, identify legal barriers, and propose recommendations to improve support and streamline disaster recovery processes for people with disabilities.
