Legislative Activity

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.