Capitol to Capitol | Oct. 15, 2024

Capitol to Capitol | Oct. 15, 2024

NewsletterCapitol to Capitol

Questions?Please use the email icon at left to contact NCSL's State-Federal Affairs Division.

Administration Updates

HRSA Awards $19M to 15 States for Maternal Health Innovation

The funds, part of the Health Resources and Services Administration's Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative, will support state health programs in identifying key drivers of maternal mortality, developing strategies and implementing new interventions to address those drivers. Examples include:

• Identifying and treating hypertension to reduce preeclampsia and other risks.
• Providing mobile simulation trainings to prepare health care providers for a range of adverse labor events.
• Expanding trainings to rural and frontier hospitals that do not have a dedicated obstetrics department.
• Creating resources to improve first responders' ability to help patients with substance use disorder during and after pregnancy.

The list of states and award amounts may be found here. Read more

Federal Agencies Warn the Public About Scams and Price Gouging During Natural Disasters. State Legislators Can Help.

The Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are warning consumers to be on the lookout for entities and individuals trying to take advantage of vulnerable residents during natural disasters.

State legislators can help raise awareness about fraud, price gouging and other predatory behavior. According to the FTC, potential scams include:

• Fraudulent charities soliciting donations for disaster victims that often imitate the names of charities helping with disaster relief.
• Scammers impersonating government officials, offering disaster relief in exchange for personal information or money.
• Scammers promoting nonexistent businesses or investment opportunities related to disaster recovery, such as rebuilding or flood-proofing.
• Price gouging for essential goods and services needed by disaster victims.
• Insisting on payment for services by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or in cash. Only scammers will insist on payment for services in these ways.
• Promises of help to qualify residents for relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency―for a fee.FEMA will never require residents to pay a fee to get disaster relief.

Finally, residents should research contractors and get estimates from more than one before signing a contract for work. Get a written contract for repairs and read it carefully before signing it. For more information on help for constituents, visit the FTC and CFPB websites.

White House Launches New Task Force on AI Data Center Infrastructure

The National Economic Council, the National Security Council and the White House deputy chief of staff's office will coordinate policies to advance data center development operations consistent with U.S. economic, national security and environmental goals, according to the White House. The task force will also identify where federal legislation may be needed to support development of artificial intelligence data centers. Read more

Court Updates

Bipartisan Group of Attorneys General Sue TikTok

The lawsuits brought by 14 attorneys general offices argue that the platform is violating state consumer protection laws and harming youth mental and physical health. Thecoalition filing suit includes Washington, D.C., California, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington state. The lawsuits focus on TikTok features such as autoplay, push notifications and beauty filters, which states argue keep young users on the app for long periods and foster unhealthy body images. TikTok is also involved in a lawsuit at the federal level, where the company is challenging a new law signed in April to ban or force a sale of the platform by Chinese-owned ByteDance, amid fears the app could give China an opening to threaten U.S. security. Read more

Links

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