Doris Matsui

Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2026

This bill requires certain providers, as a condition of Medicare participation, to limit mandatory overtime for nurses.

Specifically, the bill prohibits hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other specified providers from requiring nurses to work (1) more than a previously scheduled shift, 48 hours in a workweek, or 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period; or (2) during the 10 hours immediately following the 12th hour worked in a shift during a 24-hour period.

Qualifying work hours include time spent in training, on call, and on standby. The bill's provisions do not apply during declared emergencies or disasters, subject to specified conditions, and do not preclude voluntary overtime.

The bill also establishes (1) certain protections for nurses who file complaints against providers, (2) documentation and notice requirements for providers, and (3) potential civil penalties for violations.

Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act

This bill establishes resources and a program to address cybersecurity of elementary and secondary schools.

First, the bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to establish an information exchange to disseminate information, best practices, training, and resources to improve cybersecurity in elementary and secondary schools.

In addition, CISA must establish a registry to track cyber incidents affecting information technology systems that are owned or managed by schools and educational agencies. Schools and educational agencies may voluntarily submit information to the registry.

Finally, the bill requires CISA to establish a program to address cybersecurity threats to school information systems.

Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply Act or the MAPS Act

This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continually update its essential medicines list and identify risks and vulnerabilities in the associated supply chains.

In 2020, in response to an executive order, the FDA published a list of essential medicines deemed medically necessary to have available at all times. The bill requires the FDA to update and maintain this list to include drugs and ingredients (1) related to responding to public health threats and emergency incidents, (2) that are of greatest priority for providing health care and are at high risk of shortage, and (3) the shortage of which would adversely affect patients with chronic conditions. The FDA must review the list at least every two years and update it as appropriate.

Also, the bill requires the FDA to conduct a risk assessment of the supply chains for drugs and ingredients on the list and annually report its findings to Congress. The assessment must include information about key manufacturing materials, drugs with primarily foreign or single suppliers, manufacturing capacity, relevant public health and national security risks, and risk mitigation strategies.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must map and monitor relevant supply chains to identify vulnerabilities and provide an annual status report to Congress. HHS must facilitate the secure exchange of information among agencies regarding locations and quantities of production and relevant regulatory actions.

Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act of 2025

This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from taking action against or imposing certain conditions on individuals on the basis of viewpoints broadcast or disseminated by the individuals or their affiliates.

Specifically, the FCC may not revoke a license or authorization of, or otherwise take action against, an individual or entity on the basis of viewpoints broadcast or otherwise disseminated by the individual or entity or an affiliate thereof. Further, the FCC may not impose conditions on its approval of certain transactions on the basis of viewpoints broadcast or otherwise disseminated by the individual or entity seeking approval of the transaction, or an affiliate thereof.

Under the bill, the FCC retains its authority to take action or impose conditions on the basis of (1) violations of certain existing laws regarding lottery information, fraud, and obscene language; or (2) the broadcast or other dissemination of content that constitutes incitement under the First Amendment.

Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act

This bill provides for coverage of certain cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of microarray analysis, DNA and RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and other next-generation sequencing for individuals diagnosed with cancer.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish an education and awareness program for physicians and the public about genomic testing and the role of genetic counselors.

Scientific External Process for Educated Review of Therapeutics Act of 2025 or the Scientific EXPERT Act of 2025

This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to facilitate and participate in externally led, science-focused drug development meetings to discuss the development of treatments for rare diseases and conditions.

The FDA must enter into an arrangement with the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA under which the foundation agrees to convene such meetings. Meetings must be held at least four times a year, and each meeting must focus on a different rare disease or condition.

The foundation must establish a permanent steering committee to review and recommend topics for each meeting. In evaluating potential topics, the committee must consider unmet therapeutic needs, patient population sizes for different diseases and conditions, and whether a disease or condition would benefit from clarity and alignment on drug development questions, among other factors.

In planning each meeting, the foundation must develop a list of medical experts, drug sponsors, scientific organizations, patient organizations, and other entities to be invited to participate. Representatives of the FDA’s review divisions must attend each meeting.

After each meeting, the foundation must make available a summary of the meeting noting areas of consensus, areas where additional clarification or information is needed, and next steps agreed upon with the FDA.

The bill also requires the FDA to indicate whether it incorporated any input from these meetings when approving a new drug or biologic.