Weekly Summary of Legislative Activities, Committee Agendas, and Calendar of Events
Legislature Updates of
Bills Related to Disability Rights
as compiled by Disability Rights Vermont
| House Bills |
| H.2 An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings As introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0002/H-0002%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/9/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary/House Committee on Judiciary |
| H.5 An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0005/H-0005%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/9/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary/House Committee on Judiciary |
| H.8 An act relating to a tax credit for home modifications for safety and livability As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0008/H-0008%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/9/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means |
| H.12 An act relating to addressing barriers to blenderized tube feeding. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0012/H-0012%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/9/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary/House Committee on Judiciary |
| H.13 An act relating to Medicaid payment rates for home- and community-based service providers and designated and specialized service agencies. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0013/H-0013%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/9/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services/House Committee on Human Services |
| H.26 An act relating to guardianship proceedings. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0026/H-0026%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/10/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary/House Committee on Judiciary |
| H.29 An act relating to replacing statutory references to Vermont Psychiatric Survivors with MadFreedom, Inc. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0029/H-0029%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/14/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care |
| H.30 An act relating to the use of seclusion and restraint on children and youth in the custody of the Department for Children and Families. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0030/H-0030%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/14/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.32 An act relating to treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0032/H-0032%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/14/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions |
| H.39 An act relating to repeal of authorization of overdose prevention centers As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0039/H-0039%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/16/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.46 An act relating to the Rare Disease Advisory Council As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0046/H-0046%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/16/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.73 An act relating to the zoning requirements for group homes As Introduced : https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0073/H-0073%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/21/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.80 An act relating to the Office of the Health Care Advocate As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0080/H-0080%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/24/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care |
| H.82 An act relating to establishing the Division of Planning and Evaluation and strengthening the regulatory capacity of the Green Mountain Care Board As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0082/H-0082%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/24/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care |
| H.91 An act relating to the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0091/H-0091%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/24/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.92 An act relating to Human Services Board fair hearing proceedings As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0092/H-0092%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/24/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H. 96 – An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0096/H-0096%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 1/28/2025 – Read first time and referred tothe Committee on Health Care |
| H. 143 – An act relating to establishing a support service program for individuals who are DeafBlind As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0143/H-0143%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/5/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.158 An act relating to prohibiting municipal regulation of the use of hygienic face masks As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0158/H-0158%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/6/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs |
| H.160 An act relating to creating a right to repair for medical devices As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0160/H-0160%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/7/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development |
| H. 165 An act relating to funding inclusive schools As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0165/H-0165%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/7/2025 House Committee on Education |
| H. 169 An act relating to amending the prohibitions against discrimination in public accommodations and housing As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0169/H-0169%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/7/2025 House Committee on General and Housing |
| H.192 An act relating to prohibiting solitary confinement for children As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0192/H-0192%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/12/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services 3/12/25 Introduced to House Human Services Committee by sponsors Rep. Angela Arsenault and Rep. Barbara Rachelson |
| H.218 – An act relating to fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0218/H-0218%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/13/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services |
| H.227 An Act relating to residential peer respite As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0227/H-0227%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/26/2025 – Rep. Wood of Waterbury moved that the Committee on Human Services be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Health Care, which was agreed to |
| H. 251 An Act relating to Competency Restoration As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0251/H-0251%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/18/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary |
| H. 259 An act relating to preventing workplace violence in hospitals As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0259/H-0259%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 3/21/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare |
| H.315 An act relating to nondiscrimination concerning a parent with a disability As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0315/H-0315%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/25/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary |
| H.374 An Act relating to repealing the Commissioner of Labor’s authority to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with a disability . As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0374/H-0374%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 2/26/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing |
| H.456 An act relating to establishing a State-funded and community-based continuum of care for justice-involved individuals As Introduced https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0456/H-0456%20As%20Introduced.pdf House 3/11/2025 – Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services. |
| Senate Bills |
| S.1 An act relating to providing Medicaid-equivalent coverage to all Vermonters. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0001/S-0001%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/10/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare |
| S.2 An act relating to establishing the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0002/S-0002%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/10/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations |
| S.5 An act relating to guardianship proceedings. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0005/S-0005%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/10/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary |
| S.6 An act relating to repealing the Commissioner of Labor’s authority to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with a disability. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0006/S-0006%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/10/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs |
| S.10 An act relating to modifying requirements for obtaining a certificate of need. As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0010/S-0010%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/16/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare |
| S.20 An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0020/S-0020%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/22/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare |
| S.36 An act relating to Medicaid coverage of long-term residential treatment for co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health condition As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0036/S-0036%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 1/30/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare |
| S.51 An act relating to the Vermont unpaid caregiver tax credit As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0051/S-0051%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 3/18/2025 – Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Finance |
| S.63 An act relating to modifying the regulatory duties of the Green Mountain Care Board As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0063/S-0063%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 3/18/2025 – Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare |
| S.81 An act relating to prohibiting municipal regulation of the use of hygienic face masks As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0081/S-0081%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 2/25/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations |
| S.115 An act relating to requiring prior approval by a municipality to operate an overdose prevention center As Introduced: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0115/S-0115%20As%20Introduced.pdf Senate 3/13/2025 – Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations |
Selection of Agenda Items that May Be Related to Disability Rights
All committee agendas are subject to change
Monday, March 31, 2025
No meetings of note
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
House Committees
House Committee on Corrections and Institutions
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-corrections-and-institutions.
Room 34
2:00 PM – H. 32 – An act relating to treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities
New Draft
Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Tony Folland, Clinical Services Manager and State Opioid Treatment Authority, Vermont Department of Health
House Committee on General and Housing
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-general-and-housing.
Room 31
1:00 PM – Fair Housing Awareness Day
Kahlia Livingston, Fair Housing Project Education & Outreach Coordinator, CVOEO
Big Hartman, Executive Director & General Counsel, Vermont Human Rights Commission
House Committee on Human Services
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-human-services.
Room 46
2:00 PM – H. 92 – An act relating to Human Services Board fair hearing proceedings
Brenda Siegel, Executive Director, End Homelessness Vermont – Invited
3:00 PM – H. 92 – An act relating to Human Services Board fair hearing proceedings
Michael Donahue, Chair, Human Services Board – Invited
Senate Committees
Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs
Room 27
10:15 AM – Fair Housing Awareness Day
Kahlia Livingston, CVOEO Fair Housing Project Education & Outreach Coordinator, CVOEO
Big Hartman, Executive Director & General Counsel, Vermont Human Rights Commission
Mapenzi Selemani, Student – Winooski High Schoo
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-health-and-welfare.
Room 17
10:00 AM After discussion on H.238 H. 91 – An act relating to the Emergency Temporary Shelter Program
Introduction and walk-through
Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Rep. Theresa Wood, Reporter – Invited
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
House Committees
House Committee on Corrections and Institutions
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-corrections-and-institutions.
Room 34
10:30 AM – Victims Notification Systems
Update on Improving Systems
Jennifer Poehlmann, J.D., Executive Director, Center for Crime Victim Services
House Committee on Human Services
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-human-services.
Room 46
9:00 AM – S. 36 – An act relating to the Medicaid payment model for residential substance use disorder treatment services
Introduction and walk-through
Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Sen. Larry Hart, Bill Reporter, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare – Invited
10:00 AM – H. 92 – An act relating to Human Services Board fair hearing proceedings
Maryellen Griffin, Staff Attorney, Vermont Legal Aid
Stuart Schurr, General Counsel, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living – Invited
Jennifer Myka, General Counsel, Department for Children and Families – Invited
Witness TBD, General Counsel, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) – Invited
House Committee on Education
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-education
Room M103
10:30 AM – Impacts of Federal Changes
Anne Bordonaro, Federal Education and Support Division Director, Agency of Education
Jill Briggs Campbell, Interim Deputy Secretary, Agency of Education
Senate Committees
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-health-and-welfare.
Room 17
9:00 AM – H. 96 – An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need
Laura Beliveau, Staff Attorney, Green Mountain Care Board
Ashley Johns, Staff Attorney, Agency of Human Services
Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society
Susan Ridzon, Executive Director, Healthfirst, Inc.
David Mickenberg, Lobbyist, Green Mountain Surgery Center
Mike Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate, Vermont Legal Aid
10:00 AM – H. 80 – An act relating to the Office of the Health Care Advocate
Emily Brown, Deputy Commissioner of Insurance, Department of Financial Regulation
Sara Teachout, Director, Government, Public and Media Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
Laura Beliveau, Staff Attorney, Green Mountain Care Board
Mike Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate, Vermont Legal Aid
11:00 AM – H. 13 – An act relating to Medicaid payment rates for home- and community-based service providers
Jill Bowen, Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living – Invited
Alicia Cooper, Director of Managed Care Operations, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)
Molly Dugan, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Cathedral Square
Amy Johnson, Government Affairs & Communications Director, Vermont Care Partners
Helen Labun, Executive Director, Vermont Health Care Association
Jill Mazza Olson, Executive Director, VNAs of Vermont
Matt Levin, Executive Director, Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance
Thursday, April 3, 2025
House Committees
House Committee on Corrections and Institutions
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-corrections-and-institutions.
Room 34
After the Floor – Turning Point Partners
Department of Corrections Plan After Federal Earmark was not Awarded
Isaac Dayno, Executive Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Department of Corrections
Haley Sommer, Communications Director, Department of Corrections
House Committee on Human Services
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-human-services.
Room 46
10:00 AM – H. 92 – An act relating to Human Services Board fair hearing proceedings
David LaCroix, Parent, Barre
Nancy LaCroix, Parent, Barre
Senate Committees
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-health-and-welfare.
Room 17
9:00 AM – H. 259 – An act relating to preventing workplace violence in hospitals
Elizabeth Couto, Chair, Vermont Emergency Nurse Association
Betsy Hassan, Board Member, American Nurses Association Vermont
Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Friday, April 4, 2025
No meetings of note
Additional Events and Information
Tuesday, April 1, 2025, is Fair Housing Advocacy Day
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, is Manufacturing Industry Day