Legislative Activity

The Gun Safety Board and Research Act establishes a new federal Gun Safety Board within the Department of Health and Human Services. This Board is mandated to fund original research aimed at reducing gun violence and to educate the public on effective prevention methods. It will also publish annual policy recommendations based on scientific findings regarding various forms of gun violence.

The Local Gun Violence Reduction Act establishes a national database, managed by the CDC, for tracking local gun violence prevention laws and their effectiveness. State and local governments must submit details on their enacted laws alongside data comparing gun violence rates before and after implementation. This system aims to share successful strategies by providing regular reports to Congress on participation and law effectiveness.

The Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act of 2025 mandates equal treatment for disability benefits related to mental health and substance use disorders compared to physical health conditions across ERISA-governed plans, government employee plans, and insurance policies. It establishes strict parity requirements, prohibits discriminatory limitations, and clarifies enforcement authority for the Secretary of Labor and states. The bill also directs the Secretary of Labor to study the costs of these benefits and issue necessary regulations for implementation.

The Suicide Prevention Assistance Act establishes a new, limited grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services to fund primary care offices in providing crucial self-harm and suicide prevention services. Grantees must hire a clinical social worker to screen patients, offer short-term intervention, and refer high-risk individuals for long-term care. This pilot program will award a maximum of ten grants nationwide, each capped at $500,000 over two years, to evaluate effective prevention models in outpatient settings.

The Housing Innovation Act establishes a new Office of Housing Innovation within HUD to spearhead federal efforts in diversifying and expanding the national housing supply. This legislation provides grants to local governments and research partnerships to support innovative planning, community development, and regulatory reforms aimed at improving housing affordability and reducing commute times. By fostering interagency collaboration, the Act seeks to integrate housing, transportation, and infrastructure policy to better meet the needs of the modern workforce.