Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
Democrat · VT · 12 bills sponsored
Mental Health Career Promotion Act
# Mental Health Career Promotion Act (HR 7394) - Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Mental Health Career Promotion Act aims to encourage more Americans to pursue careers in mental health fields. While specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, bills with this title typically include measures like loan forgiveness programs for mental health professionals, grants for education and training, tax incentives, or support for student debt repayment to make mental health careers more attractive and accessible. **Who It Affects:** This bill would primarily affect students considering mental health professions (such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers), current mental health workers, educational institutions training these professionals, and ultimately the general public seeking mental health services. By increasing the number of available mental health professionals, the bill could help address workforce shortages in this field. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont). Further details about specific provisions would require reviewing the full bill text.
Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act
# Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill (HR 7277) aims to improve how emergency medical services (EMS) providers—paramedics and EMTs who respond to 911 calls—are paid for their work. Currently, many EMS providers struggle with reimbursement issues because Medicare and other insurance programs don't adequately compensate them for services provided at the scene of emergencies or for certain support activities. The bill would address these payment gaps, though the specific details of how reimbursement rates would change are not listed in the available information. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects EMS providers (ambulance services, fire departments with EMS units, and independent paramedics), rural and underserved areas that depend heavily on EMS services, and indirectly affects patients by potentially improving EMS availability and quality. It could also impact Medicare and insurance programs that would be responsible for the reimbursement changes. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) in the 119th Congress.
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025
# Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill, introduced by Rep. Becca Balint of Vermont, addresses the process and requirements for shutting down nuclear power plants. While specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, decommissioning bills typically establish procedures for safely dismantling nuclear facilities, managing radioactive waste, cleaning up contaminated sites, and ensuring funds are available to pay for these expensive processes. The bill would likely set standards that nuclear plant operators must follow when closing their facilities. **Who It Affects** This legislation would primarily impact nuclear power plant operators and owners who must eventually decommission aging or economically unviable facilities. It could also affect communities where nuclear plants operate, workers in the nuclear industry, and taxpayers who may bear some financial responsibility for cleanup costs. State utility regulators and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would likely have enforcement roles. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet advanced to a full vote in the House of Representatives. No further action has been taken at this stage.
Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act
# Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act (HR 6249) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would establish federal support and resources to address substance abuse and addiction issues in communities affected by natural disasters. The legislation recognizes that disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires often disrupt addiction treatment services and increase substance abuse rates among disaster survivors. If passed, the bill would likely direct funding and coordination efforts to help maintain or restore access to treatment programs in disaster zones and provide mental health support during recovery periods. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill would primarily benefit disaster survivors struggling with addiction, people in recovery whose treatment was interrupted, and communities rebuilding after major disasters. It affects federal agencies responsible for disaster response and health services, which would need to incorporate addiction support into their recovery plans. The specific provisions—such as exact funding amounts, which agencies lead the effort, and how resources would be distributed—are not detailed in the available information. **Current Status** As of now, HR 6249 remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) and has not advanced to a vote.
End Rent Fixing Act of 2025
# End Rent Fixing Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The End Rent Fixing Act of 2025 would prohibit landlords and property management companies from coordinating or sharing rental pricing information with competitors. Essentially, it treats coordinated rent-setting among landlords similarly to price-fixing laws that already exist for other businesses. The bill aims to prevent landlords from using shared data or agreements to keep rental prices artificially high. **Who It Affects:** This legislation would primarily affect large landlords, property management companies, and software platforms that provide rental pricing data to multiple property owners. It could also impact renters by potentially lowering housing costs if coordinated pricing practices are reduced. Tenants in markets where this occurs would be the intended beneficiaries. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. As a newly introduced bill (2025), it remains in the early stages of the legislative process. Like most bills, it faces an uncertain path to passage and would require committee approval, House floor consideration, Senate passage, and presidential signature to become law.
Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act
# Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act (HR 4157) — Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would change how the federal government taxes married couples. Currently, some married couples pay more in combined federal income taxes than they would if they filed as single individuals—a situation known as the "marriage penalty." The Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act aims to reduce or eliminate this penalty by adjusting tax brackets and standard deductions for married couples filing jointly, ensuring they don't pay more simply because they're married. **Who it affects:** Primarily married couples filing joint tax returns. The changes would most notably affect middle and upper-income married households that currently experience a tax disadvantage compared to unmarried filers. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It has not advanced further in the legislative process. *Note: Specific provisions of the bill were not detailed in the source information provided, so this summary reflects the general intent based on the bill's title and subject matter.*
No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act
# No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act Summary **What It Would Do** This bill, formally known as HR 3708, aims to address hate crimes and discrimination targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. While the bill's specific provisions aren't detailed in the information provided, legislation with this title typically focuses on strengthening legal protections, increasing penalties for hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people, and potentially improving data collection on such incidents. **Who It Affects** The bill would directly impact LGBTQ+ communities by providing enhanced legal protections. It could also affect law enforcement agencies through new reporting requirements, and potentially impact the courts through modified sentencing guidelines for certain crimes. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet moved to a full vote in the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Becca Balint (D-VT). For a complete picture of what the bill specifically proposes, the full text would need to be reviewed, as the summary provided here contains limited details about its exact provisions.
Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025
# Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would authorize the federal government to conduct a study of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont to determine whether they qualify for protection under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. If passed, the Department of the Interior would have three years to evaluate whether these waterways meet the criteria for designation as "wild and scenic rivers"—a federal designation that provides certain environmental protections and can restrict development along the river corridor. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily affects Vermont residents, local communities, and landowners along these two waterways. If the study ultimately leads to a wild and scenic designation, it would restrict certain activities like dam construction and potentially limit some development near the rivers, while also potentially bringing federal funding and recreation opportunities to the area. The study itself is a preliminary step that simply evaluates eligibility—it doesn't automatically create new protections. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Transgender Health Care Access Act
# Transgender Health Care Access Act (HR 2487) - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill, introduced in the House, aims to protect and expand access to transgender health care services. While specific details aren't available in the basic bill information provided, bills with this title typically work to ensure insurance coverage for gender-affirming medical treatments, prevent insurance companies from denying coverage based on gender identity, and potentially establish standards for access to these services across the country. **Who It Affects:** The bill would primarily affect transgender and non-binary individuals seeking medical care, as well as insurance companies, health care providers, and employers offering health plans. It could influence how Medicare and Medicaid handle coverage decisions related to gender-affirming care. **Current Status:** As of now, HR 2487 is in committee, meaning it's still in the early legislative stage and has not been voted on by the full House. The bill was introduced by Representative Becca Balint (D-VT). To learn the specific provisions and latest actions taken on this bill, you can check Congress.gov, which provides detailed legislative texts and tracking information.
Stop Comstock Act
# Stop Comstock Act (HR 2029) Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill aims to clarify and limit the application of the Comstock Act, a 160-year-old law originally enacted to restrict the mailing of obscene materials. The bill would prevent the Comstock Act from being used to restrict the mailing or delivery of FDA-approved medications, medical devices, and abortion-related materials. Supporters argue the law is outdated and could be misused to block legitimate medical shipments; opponents worry about removing safeguards on certain materials. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, patients seeking mail-order medications (especially abortion pills and contraceptives), and delivery services like the U.S. Postal Service and private carriers. It could impact anyone relying on mail delivery for prescription medications or medical devices. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont). Like many bills, it faces an uncertain path and would need committee approval, House passage, and Senate approval to become law.
PEER Mental Health Act of 2025
# PEER Mental Health Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does** The PEER Mental Health Act of 2025 would establish and expand mental health support programs, particularly focusing on training more mental health professionals and improving access to mental health services in schools and underserved communities. The bill aims to address mental health care shortages by creating employment and training programs, likely including loan forgiveness or financial incentives to encourage people to become mental health providers. It would also work to integrate mental health services into schools and rural areas where mental health resources are currently limited. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily benefit school-age children, teachers, rural communities, and individuals seeking mental health treatment. It would also affect people pursuing careers in mental health professions through new training opportunities and employment support programs. Healthcare providers and educational institutions would need to implement new mental health initiatives if the bill passes. **Current Status** As of now, HR 1448 is in the committee review stage, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Becca Balint (D-VT).
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act of 2025
# HR 986: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Expansion **What the bill does:** This legislation would expand the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, Vermont, by adding the King Farm to the park's boundaries. It would also give the National Park Service (NPS) more flexibility in acquiring land for the park—allowing them to purchase or trade for property in addition to their current ability to accept donated land. Any land acquired must include access routes connecting it to the existing park. **Key details:** The bill specifies that the King Farm land can be used for agriculture, forestry, conservation, and educational purposes. The legislation also formally establishes the National Park Service Stewardship Institute, a training program currently operated at the park. This bill affects the park itself and Vermont property owners in the expansion area. The changes are meant to help the NPS better manage and develop the historical park's resources. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.