U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean Re-Introduces Bills to Aid Small Business, Mental Health and Homeowners

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist.

Blogger's Note: The following is copied from a newsletter report issued by U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist.

This week, Dean introduced a series of bills to help America’s families cope with the financial, emotional, and mental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restore America’s Main Street Act

As small businesses face economic insecurity, leaving many vulnerable to a permanent shutdown, Rep. Dean and Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Washington, re-introduced the Restore America’s Main Street Act to assist the smallest of businesses with unrestricted direct cash support.

“As we grapple with a year of facing the pandemic and economic insecurity remains heightened, it’s important we are supporting businesses -- including the smallest businesses that are struggling the most,” Dean said. “Restore America’s Main Street Act will deliver direct cash assistance to those who need help most.”

Support from the Restore America’s Main Street Act will come in the form of a rebate equal to 30 percent of a business’s gross receipts reported in 2019 (up to $120,000). For small businesses and sole proprietors who were not active or formed in the 2019 tax year, their 2020 returns will be used.

Community Health Center Mental Health Screening Act

Reps. Dean and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, re-introduced the Community Health Center Mental Health Screening Act which increases federal funds for mental health screenings and services in community health centers.

“We must commit ourselves to devoting more resources to mental health as it is long overdue that we treat mental health with the same seriousness we treat all other health,” said Rep. Dean. “As the pandemic forces us to reimagine our healthcare system, this act is a first step ensuring we consistently fund mental health support in all our communities.”

The Community Health Center Mental Health Screening Act would work to ensure community health centers have the resources required to maintain their quality mental health services as mental health needs remain at an all time high.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on mental and behavioral health, and in Delaware and around the country, community health centers are working hard to make sure patients have access to the health care services they need,” Rep. Blunt Rochester said. “I’m proud to join Rep. Dean in re-introducing legislation that will help community health centers detect cases sooner and ensure they not only have the tools and providers to deliver this critically important care, but that patients can afford to access it.”

Protecting Homeowners in Bankruptcy Act

Rep. Dean also re-introduced the Protecting Homeowners in Bankruptcy Act which would increase the federal homestead exemption — which allows a debtor to protect a certain amount of equity in their home from creditors when they declare bankruptcy — to $100,000. This new level would serve as a federal floor; states would remain free to enact more generous homestead exemptions.

“America makes a promise to its people – that this country will give you a second chance, that second chance is the principle of the bankruptcy law,” said Rep. Dean. “The bankruptcy code’s provision, the Federal Homestead Exemption, was enacted in 1978 to protect $15,000 of a home’s equity from creditors -- however through the years, the homestead exemption has not kept pace with increasing home values.”

As America faces an unprecedented dual public health and economic crisis because of the coronavirus and keeping families healthy and in their homes is a matter of utmost importance.