Category: Bills of Interest – 2021-2022 Legislative Session – Up to MAY 3, 2021
VCDR – Bills of Interest – 2021- 2022
Bills 1/08/21
House Bills:
H.1 An act relating to mental health insurance benefits
Introduced by Rep. Donahue
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit management of mental health insurance benefits separately from other health care benefits. It also prohibits prior authorization requirements for mental health care that differ from medical or surgical prior authorization requirements.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0001/H-0001%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.2 An act relating to an integrated mental health budget
Introduced by Rep. Donahue
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to transfer all inpatient hospitalization budget lines from the Department of Mental Health’s budget to the Department of Vermont Health Access.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0002/H-0002%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.7 An act relating to the Forensic Mental Health Working Group
Introduced by Rep. Donahue
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a working group composed of stakeholders from Vermont’s mental health and criminal justice systems to develop proposals to reform existing laws that pertain to defendants with significant psychiatric diagnoses.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0007/H-0007%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.12 An act relating to the implementation of an electronic roll-call system in the Vermont House of Representatives
Introduced by Rep. Harrison
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Joint Fiscal Office to contract for an electronic roll-call system for the Vermont House of Representatives by the start of the 2022 legislative session.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0012/H-0012%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.13 An act relating to shared parental rights and responsibilities and equal parent-child contact
Introduced by Rep. McCullough
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the court to order shared parental rights and responsibilities and equal parent-child contact, provided it is in the best interests of the child.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0013/H-0013%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.17 An act relating to physician expert witnesses in medical malpractice actions
Introduced by Rep. Till
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to set standards for the qualification of physician expert witnesses in medical malpractice actions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0017/H-0017%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.19 An act relating to competency to stand trial
Introduced by Rep. Grad
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit the prosecution in a criminal proceeding to have its own psychiatrist examine the defendant when a court-ordered examiner has found the defendant incompetent to stand trial.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0019/H-0019%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.20 An act relating to pretrial risk assessments and pretrial services
Introduced by Rep. Grad
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make pretrial risk assessments discretionary rather than mandatory and to make pretrial services available to persons subject to youthful offender petitions and to persons under 18 years of age subject to delinquency petitions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0020/H-0020%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.22 An act relating to requiring that at least one member of the Green Mountain Care Board be a health care professional
Introduced by Rep. Till
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that at least one member of the Green Mountain Care Board be a health care professional.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0022/H-0022%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.24 An act relating to coverage for complementary and alternative health care services
Introduced by Rep. McCullough
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require health insurance plans, including Medicaid, to provide coverage for all health care services, including complementary and alternative treatments, if at least two studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals find such services to be safe, to be directly related to statistically significant improvements in individuals’ health status, and to reduce associated medical costs.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0024/H-0024%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.25 An act relating to evaluating the sale of Long-Term Care Partnership policies
Introduced by Rep. Harrison
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to direct the Department of Financial Regulation, in collaboration with others, to evaluate and report to the General Assembly regarding the advantages and disadvantages of allowing Vermont residents to purchase Long-Term Care Partnership policies.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0025/H-0025%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.28 An act relating to the basic needs budget and livable wage
Introduced by Rep. McCullough
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the definition of “livable wage” for purposes of the basic needs budget that is calculated at the beginning of each legislative biennium so that the livable wage is based on a family with two adult wage earners, two children, and no employer-sponsored health insurance.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0028/H-0028%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.30 An act relating to the study and design of a long-term care trust fund
Introduced by Rep. David Yacovone , Rep. Daniel Noyes, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Secretary of Administration to: (1) study and design a trust fund that will provide for long-term care for certain Vermont residents, and (2) propose legislation to statutorily create this fund.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0030/H-0030%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.32 An act relating to universal school breakfast and lunch for all public school students
Introduced by Rep. Caleb Elder , Rep. Lucy Rogers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require all public schools in Vermont to make available school breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge. The cost of school meals that is not reimbursed through federal funds or other sources would be borne by school districts, and therefore ultimately borne by the Education Fund.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0032/H-0032%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.40 An act relating to whistleblower protections for law enforcement officers
Introduced by Rep. Donahue
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide whistleblower protections for law enforcement officers.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0040/H-0040%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.41 An act relating to family leave and insurance protections for organ donors
Introduced by Rep. Donahue
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to add recovery from organ or tissue donation to the bases for family leave under Vermont’s Parental and Family Leave. This bill also proposes to prohibit a life insurance or health insurance company from limiting or declining to provide coverage to an insured based solely upon the status of the insured as a living organ or tissue donor.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0041/H-0041%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.42 An act relating to including the amount expended by an employer for health insurance in the determination of the minimum wage
Introduced by Rep. Donahue
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the minimum wage set forth in 21 V.S.A. § 384 to include a calculation for the amount expended by each employer to provide an employee with health insurance. The minimum wage for each employee shall be reduced by a prorated amount based on the employer’s annual cost to provide him or her with health insurance coverage up to a maximum reduction equal to the full annual cost of the premium for the lowest cost silver-level plan available through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0042/H-0042%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.45 An act relating to the provision of grants for mental health providers working in collaboration with municipal police departments
Introduced by Rep. Anthony and Rep. Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a grant program to fund the provision of services by mental health providers in collaboration with municipal police departments.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0045/H-0045%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.49 An act relating to including psychological abuse as the basis for obtaining a civil abuse protection order
Introduced by Rep. Maida Townsend , Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Felisha Leffler, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Rebecca White, Rep. David Yacovone
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow a person to obtain a relief from abuse order against a family or household member based upon psychological abuse.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0049/H-0049%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 1/15/21
House Bills:
H.51 An act relating to recommendations regarding ownership of medical data in electronic health records
Rep. Lucy Rogers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to direct the Agency of Human Services to develop recommendations regarding the ownership of medical data in electronic health records and to report those recommendations to the General Assembly.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0051/H-0051%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.57 An act relating to creating a Vermont Economic Solutions Act
Rep. David Yacovone, Rep. John Gannon
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Council on the Economic Future of Vermont to develop an economic development plan that includes action steps and a timeline for Vermont to: (1) grow the majority of its food within five years; (2) strengthen and preserve the infrastructure to enable rural Vermont to thrive, including necessary policy changes; (3) increase Vermont household income to the top fifth in the nation; and (4) address and prevent adverse childhood experiences in Vermont. The Council will have 21 members, with 11 members appointed by the Administration, five by the House, and five by the Senate, and will meet monthly through January 2022. The bill provides funding to the Joint Fiscal Office for a contract to staff the work and manage performance and for per diem compensation for non administration members. The Council will deliver its economic development plan to the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2022 for consideration and approval.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0057/H-0057%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.63 An act relating to statewide public school employee health benefits
Rep. Peter Conlon
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make various changes to the process for statewide collective bargaining for public school employee health benefits.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0063/H-0063%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.65 An act relating to enhancing food allergy awareness in food service establishments
Rep. John Killacky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to enhance food allergy awareness in food service establishments by: (1) requiring training on allergens for designated persons employed by food service establishments; (2) requiring printed menus and menu boards used by food service establishments to include notice of customers’ obligation to inform the server of an allergy to a major food allergen; and (3) establishing a procedure for informing food service establishment customers of the presence of major food allergens in menu items.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0065/H-0065%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.76 An act relating to landlord-tenant rights and political lawn signs
Rep. Lucy Rogers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to clarify that a tenant, and not the landowner, has the right to post political signs on the property in order to ensure tenants’ rights to express themselves politically.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0076/H-0076%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.77 An act relating to property transfer tax revenues designated for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund
Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan, Rep. Thomas Stevens
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the use of the property transfer tax revenue dedicated to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund for any other governmental purpose.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0077/H-0077%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.85 An act relating to requiring employment breaks
Rep. Thomas Stevens , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require employers to provide employees with breaks for meals and rest.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0085/H-0085%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 1/22/21
House Bills:
H.87 An act relating to establishing a classification system for criminal offenses
Rep. William Notte
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a classification system for criminal offenses and to place criminal property offenses within the classes established by that system.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0087/H-0087%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.90 An act relating to banning baby bumper pads
Rep. George Till
The purpose of this act is to implement recommendations concerning baby bumper pads issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, First Candle/National SIDS Alliance, and the National Institutes of Health in order to reduce the chance of infant death from suffocation, strangulation, or sudden infant death syndrome.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0090/H-0090%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.93 An act relating to establishing a homeless bill of rights and prohibiting discrimination against people without homes
Rep. John Killacky , Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a homeless bill of rights and prohibit discrimination against people without homes.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0093/H-0093%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.96 An act relating to creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Development Task Force
Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Thomas Stevens , Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Rep. Robert LaClair, Rep. Martin LaLonde, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. Emily Long, Rep. Marybeth Redmond
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Development Task Force to develop and submit to the General Assembly a proposal for legislation to create one or more truth and reconciliation commissions to examine and begin the process of dismantling institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination in Vermont, both past and present. The Task Force shall be composed of both voting and nonvoting members. The voting members of the Task Force shall include representatives of historically disadvantaged and disenfranchised groups that have suffered from institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination in Vermont. The nonvoting members of the Task Force shall include legislative members.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0096/H-0096%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.97 An act relating to miscellaneous unemployment insurance amendments
Rep. Kimberly Jessup, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Carol Ode , Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Robin Scheu, Rep. Trevor Squirrell, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit the Commissioner of Labor to reduce or cancel a period of disqualification imposed for an intentional misrepresentation of facts material to an unemployment claim and to provide that such a period of disqualification will expire three years after it is imposed. This bill also proposes to prevent individuals from having to repay unemployment benefits that were paid because of the Department of Labor’s error, to temporarily extend the time to appeal an unemployment insurance determination from 30 to 90 days, to require the Department to record communications related to an unemployment insurance determination, to require the Department to provide unemployment insurance claimants with confirmation that their claim has been submitted and with an explanation of the benefits the claimant is receiving, to require employers that are exempt from the unemployment insurance system to inform their prospective employees of that fact, to temporarily extend COVID-19-related experience rating relief and good cause reasons for quitting employment, and to require the Commissioner of Labor to report to the General Assembly regarding opportunities to improve the Department’s ability to process unemployment claims in a timely and transparent manner.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0097/H-0097%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.99 – An act relating to relating to Vermont’s adoption of the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact
Rep. Lori Houghton
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes that the State adopt and enter into the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0099/H-0099%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.102 An act relating to reducing prior authorization requirements in health insurance plans
Rep. Lucy Rogers , Rep. Lori Houghton
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to specify that the prior authorization requirements that health insurance plans must eliminate annually after review include those for which the request approval rate is 97 percent or higher. It would also modify the parameters of a prior authorization pilot program to specify that the program must be available to at least 30 percent of the insurer’s participating providers, at least 40 percent of whom must be primary care providers, and exempt those providers from prior authorization requirements for medical procedures, medical tests, pharmacy, or a combination.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0102/H-0102%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.103 An act relating to an independent review of Vermont’s current health care reform efforts
Rep. David Yacovone
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Director of Health Care Reform in the Agency of Human Services to contract with a qualified individual or entity for an independent review of Vermont’s current health care reform efforts, including evaluating the effectiveness of the Green Mountain Care Board and of the All-Payer Accountable Care Organization Model and recommending improvements or alternatives to current efforts in support of a goal of universal, comprehensive, accessible, and affordable health care.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0103/H-0103%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.104 An act relating to allowing certain licensed out-of-state mental health professionals to treat Vermont patients using telemedicine
Rep. David Durfee , Rep. Lori Houghton
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow a health care professional who holds a valid license, certificate, or registration to provide clinical mental health counseling services in another U.S. jurisdiction to continue providing those services to a patient in located in Vermont using telemedicine without obtaining a Vermont license if certain conditions are met.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0104/H-0104%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.105 An act relating to increasing the tobacco tax on cigarettes, other tobacco products, snuff, and new smokeless tobacco
Rep. George Till
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to raise the rate of tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.00 per pack and to raise the tax on other tobacco products, snuff, and new smokeless tobacco products by a corresponding amount.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0105/H-0105%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.106 An act relating to equitable access to a high-quality education through community schools
Rep. Kathleen James , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Seth Bongartz, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Jana Brown, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. David Durfee, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Stephanie Jerome, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kathryn Webb, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to facilitate and provide funding for the implementation of community schools that provide all students with equitable access to a high-quality education.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0106/H-0106%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.107 An act relating to coverage of fertility preservation for individuals diagnosed with cancer
Rep. George Till , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Leland Morgan, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Linda Sullivan, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require health insurance plans to provide coverage of fertility preservation for insured individuals and Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur beneficiaries diagnosed with cancer.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0107/H-0107%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.110 An act relating to a 48-hour waiting period for firearms transfers
Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. George Till , Rep. Janet Ancel, Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Alyssa Black, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Karen Dolan, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Trevor Squirrell, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require a 48- hour waiting period for most firearms transfers.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0110/H-0110%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.111 An act relating to prohibiting good time sentence reductions for offenses that cause death or serious bodily injury
Rep. Brian Savage , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Rodney Graham, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. Lisa Hango, Rep. James Harrison, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Samantha Lefebvre, Rep. Paul Martin, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Arthur Peterson, Rep. Linda Sullivan
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit an inmate from earning a sentence reduction for good time if the inmate is serving a sentence for an offense that caused death or serious bodily injury.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0111/H-0111%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.112 An act relating to raising the jurisdictional limit for small claims actions
Rep. David Yacovone , Rep. Avram Patt
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to raise the jurisdictional limit for small claims actions from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0112/H-0112%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.113 An act relating to exempting kinship care payments from taxation
Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to treat kinship care payments as exempt income comparable to foster care payments for the purposes of calculating Vermont personal income tax liability and Vermont property tax credits. The bill also proposes to create a study committee on kinship care in Vermont.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0113/H-0113%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.114 An act relating to the Nutrition for Older Vermonters Working Group
Rep. Theresa Wood , Rep. Daniel Noyes
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create the Nutrition for Older Vermonters Working Group, comprising interested stakeholders who would consider issues relating to addressing older Vermonters’ nutrition needs. The Working Group’s duties would include reviewing the equity of State and federal funding distribution to meal providers, identifying ways to increase transparency in the funding allocation process, and evaluating the potential for using Global Commitment investment funds to expand nutrition program reimbursements. The Working Group would provide its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2022.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0114/H-0114%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 1/29/21 – Bills 2/05/21
House Bills:
H.116 An act relating to prohibiting the involuntary sterilization of individuals with an intellectual disability
Rep. David Durfee, Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Janet Ancel, Rep. Norman Arrison, Rep. Matthew Birong, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Rebecca White, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the involuntary sterilization of individuals with an intellectual disability.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0116/H-0116%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.118 An act relating to enhanced mental health supports and services for professionals in the medical, legal, and accounting fields
Rep. Linda Sullivan
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide enhanced mental health supports and services to professionals in the medical, legal, and accounting fields who face increased challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0118/H-0118%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.124 An act relating to amending the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program
Rep. Janet Ancel, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Peter Conlon, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Trevor Squirrell, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Kirk White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0124/H-0124%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.126 An act relating to pedestrian safety
Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Norman Arrison, Rep. Seth Bongartz, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a pedestrian safety pilot program; allow municipalities to seasonally install in14 street pedestrian crossing signs in crosswalks; allow municipalities to lower certain speed limits on State highways; and express the General Assembly’s intent that the Traffic Committee should not increase the speed limit on a State highway in response to a municipality’s request that the speed limit be lowered.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0126/H-0126%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.128 An act relating to limiting criminal defenses based on victim identity
Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Taylor Small , Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Kristi Morris, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Robin Scheu, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. George Till, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit a defendant in a criminal proceeding from using information about the victim’s actual or perceived gender identity to justify the criminal conduct of the defendant or mitigate the severity of the offense.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0128/H-0128%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.132 An act relating to possession of firearms by persons subject to final relief from abuse orders
Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Selene Colburn
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the possession of firearms by persons subject to final relief from abuse orders.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0132/H-0132%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.133 An act relating to emergency relief from abuse orders and relinquishment of firearms
Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Selene Colburn
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to clarify that a court issuing an emergency relief from abuse order has the authority to require relinquishment of the defendant’s firearms.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0133/H-0133%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.137 An act relating to a women’s transitional housing facility
Rep. Curt Taylor , Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Peter Conlon, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Linda Sullivan
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) create the Women’s Transitional Housing Facility Steering Committee; (2) require the Department of Buildings and General Services to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the siting and design of a women’s transitional housing facility; and (3) appropriate $150,000.00 in capital funds over Fiscal Years 2022–2023 to the Department of Buildings and General Services for the siting and design work of the women’s transitional housing facility managed and staffed by the Department of Corrections.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0137/H-0137%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.138 An act relating to fiscal year 2021 budget adjustments
House Committee on Appropriations
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make adjustments in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus appropriations act.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0138/H-0138%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.139 An act relating to workers’ compensation benefits and protections against retaliation
Rep. Mari Cordes , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to include employer contributions to health insurance in the amount of wages used to determine an injured worker’s weekly benefit and to prohibit an employer from terminating an employee because the employee is absent from work while the employee is receiving temporary total disability benefits.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0139/H-0139%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.143 An act relating to increasing special education State aid for prekindergarten students
Rep. Carolyn Partridge , Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. John O’Brien, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Lucy Rogers, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the State to provide the same level of State aid for special education to a prekindergarten student as it provides to a student in kindergarten through grade 12.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0143/H-0143%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.145 An act relating to amending the standards for law enforcement use of force
Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the standards for law enforcement use of force to make clarifying changes and: 1) prevent the use of hindsight in evaluating law enforcement conduct; and 2) narrow the definition of prohibited restraints.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0145/H-0145%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.146 An act relating to the definition of household income for the purposes of the property tax credit
Rep. Marcia Martel , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Peter Fagan, Rep. Kenneth Goslant, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. Lisa Hango, Rep. James Harrison, Rep. Felisha Leffler, Rep. Michael Morgan, Rep. Mary Morrissey, Rep. Barbara Murphy, Rep. Robert Norris, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. John Palasik, Rep. Arthur Peterson, Rep. Brian Savage, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Brian Smith, Rep. Harvey Smith, Rep. Vicki Strong, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Terri Williams
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exempt disability and pension income for veterans who are permanently and totally disabled from the calculation of household income for the purpose of determining the income sensitivity property tax credit.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0146/H-0146%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.148 An act relating to eliminating the religious exemption for required immunizations
Rep. George Till , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Woodman Page
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to eliminate the religious exemption to the requirement that an individual receive age appropriate immunizations prior to enrollment at a school or child care facility.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0148/H-0148%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.150 An act relating to creating incentives for schools and establishing a goal for correctional facilities to purchase locally produced foods
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Karen Dolan, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. James Masland, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Harvey Smith, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. David Yacovone, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create incentives for schools to purchase locally produced foods and provide related administrative support. This bill also proposes to establish the goal that, by the year 2024, at least 20 percent of all foods purchased for meals served in correctional facilities shall be locally produced foods.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0150/H-0150%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.151 An act relating to vital records, mausoleums and columbaria, and emergency health orders
House Committee on Government Operations
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize State agencies to request certified copies of birth and death certificates from the State Registrar, remove the requirement that the Department of Health approve the construction of mausoleums and columbaria, and amend provisions related to the in-person service of emergency health orders.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0151/H-0151%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.153 An act relating to Medicaid reimbursement rates for home- and community-based service providers
Rep. Daniel Noyes , Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish an annual inflation factor to be applied to the Medicaid rates for providers of home- and community-based service providers. It would also direct the Department of Vermont Health Access and the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living to study the Medicaid reimbursement rates paid to home- and community-based service providers, their adequacy, and the methodologies underlying the rates.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0153/H-0153%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.159 An act relating to creating the Better Places Program
Rep. Sara Coffey , Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Stephanie Jerome, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Charles Kimbell, Rep. Paul Lefebvre, Rep. Kirk White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Better Places Program to support projects that create, activate, or revitalize communities and public spaces.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0159/H-0159%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.160 An act relating to protecting consumer data privacy
Rep. Maida Townsend , Rep. Timothy Briglin
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to adopt consumer privacy protections, give Vermonters more control over the amount and type of data that personal device manufacturers and service providers collect about them, and adopt other protections provided in the California Consumer Privacy Act.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0160/H-0160%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.161 An act relating to rent stabilization and economic mobility
Rep. Linda Sullivan
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a framework to stabilize rents and provide assistance for Vermont tenants adversely affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0161/H-0161%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.162 An act relating to protecting student loan borrowers from deceptive and misleading practices by student loan lenders and servicers
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a postsecondary education student loan bill of rights to protect student loan borrowers from deceptive and misleading practices by student loan lenders and servicers and to require State licensing and regulation of these lenders and servicers.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0162/H-0162%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.163 An act relating to enhancing equitable learning and workplace environments in public schools
Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to enhance equitable learning environments for all Vermont public school students and to ensure a safe and affirming workplace environment for all school staff, especially those students and school staff who have been historically underrepresented and underserved due to factors such as their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical or mental ability.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0163/H-0163%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.165 An act relating to requiring active community notification upon release of sex offender who committed an offense against a minor
Rep. Brian Smith , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Scott Beck, Rep. Rodney Graham, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. Lisa Hango, Rep. Leland Morgan, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes that prior to the release from confinement of a sex offender who has offended against a minor, the Department of Corrections shall notify neighbors whose property abuts the property where the sex offender will reside of the offender’s registry status and his or her plans to reside at the specific location.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0165/H-0165%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.169 An act relating to consumer advertising
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit an advertiser from sharing key terms of an agreement through very small print or a rapidly spoken message that is difficult to understand.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0169/H-0169%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.171 An act relating to the governance and financing of Vermont’s child care system
Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Michael Marcotte, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. David Yacovone , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Matthew Birong, Rep. Alyssa Black, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Seth Bongartz, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Jana Brown, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Peter Conlon, Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Karen Dolan, Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. David Durfee, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Alice Emmons, Rep. John Gannon, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Kenneth Goslant, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. Philip “Jay” Hooper, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Stephanie Jerome, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Martin LaLonde, Rep. Diane Lanpher, Rep. Paul Lefebvre, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. Emily Long, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Michael McCarthy, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Francis McFaun, Rep. Leland Morgan, Rep. Michael Morgan, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Michael Nigro, Rep. Robert Norris, Rep. Daniel Noyes, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Carolyn Partridge, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Marybeth Redmond, Rep. Carl Rosenquist, Rep. Brian Savage, Rep. Robin Scheu, Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, Rep. Patrick Seymour, Rep. Amy Sheldon, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Harvey Smith, Rep. Trevor Squirrell, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. George Till, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Kathryn Webb, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Rebecca White, Rep. Dane Whitman, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) expand the eligibility of the Child Care Financial Assistance Program; (2) appropriate funds for the implementation of the Bright Futures Information System modernization plan; (3) establish scholarships and student loan repayment assistance programs for existing and prospective members of the child care workforce; (4) require the completion of studies on child care financing and governance; and (5) establish an Early Care and Education Governance and Administration Advisory Committee.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0171/H-0171%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.183 An act relating to sexual violence
Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Selene Colburn , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. James Masland, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. David Yacovone, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to revise and clarify the laws concerning consent to sexual activity, require data collection and reporting of information concerning reports of domestic and sexual violence, establish the Intercollegiate Sexual Violence Prevention Council, and fund the expansion of forensic medical care for sexual assault patients within primary care and reproductive health care settings.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0183/H-0183%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.184 An act relating to changing the education property tax rate calculations
Rep. Scott Beck , Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Peter Conlon, Rep. Anne Donahue, Rep. Rodney Graham, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. Marcia Martel, Rep. Christopher Mattos, Rep. Patricia McCoy, Rep. Brian Savage, Rep. Vicki Strong, Rep. Linda Sullivan, Rep. Casey Toof
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to eliminate the excess spending penalty and change the way the homestead property tax rate is calculated. Under this bill, the Agency of Education is required to make three separate recommendations on pupil weighting factors, an adequacy amount for all school districts’ education spending, and education quality standards, including mechanisms for enforcing those standards. This bill would also amend the definition of education spending to include the normal contributions to the Vermont Teachers’ Retirement Fund that are attributable to the employer.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0184/H-0184%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.187 An act related to agreements not to compete
Rep. Kornheiser
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to restrict agreements that prohibit individuals from competing with their former employers following the conclusion of their employment.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0187/H-0187%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.190 An act relating to prohibiting State contracts with for-profit correctional facilities
Rep. Barbara Rachelson , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the Commissioner of Corrections from contracting with a for-profit contractor to own, operate, or manage a State correctional facility, or supervise or house inmates under the custody of the Commissioner in an out-of-state correctional facility.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0190/H-0190%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.191 An act relating to prohibition on the transfer of Vermont inmates to an out-of-state correctional facility
Rep. Barbara Rachelson , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the transfer of Vermont inmates to an out-of-state correctional facility.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0191/H-0191%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.193 An act relating to permitting out-of-court statement by victims of human trafficking
Rep. Linda Sullivan , Rep. Scott Beck, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Patricia McCoy, Rep. William Notte
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit promoting or advertising the services of someone who is trafficked; allow out10 of-court statements by a victim of human trafficking who is under 12 years of age; and permit a victim of human trafficking who is under 12 years of age or who has psychiatric, intellectual, or developmental disability to testify in a court proceeding by two-way closed-circuit television or by recorded testimony.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0193/H-0193%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.195 An act relating to use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement in cases involving sexual exploitation of children, sexual assault, homicide, or kidnapping
Rep. Maxine Grad
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit law enforcement to utilize facial recognition technology in the investigation of certain crimes provided the search is solely confined to locating images of an individual within electronic media legally seized by law enforcement in relation to the specific investigation.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0195/H-0195%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.196 An act relating to supporting the work of the Executive Director of Racial Equity
Rep. Kevin Christie , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Scott Beck, Rep. Matthew Birong, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Karen Dolan, Rep. Anne Donahue, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. John Gannon, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. George Till, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to add two new FTE positions, one policy and research analyst and one outreach and education coordinator, to 3 V.S.A. chapter 68 to support the work of the Executive Director of Racial Equity to mitigate systemic racism in all branches of State government. The bill also proposes to appropriate funding for both positions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0196/H-0196%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.197 An act relating to an independent monitoring board for body-worn camera footage
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish an independent civilian board to supervise and control the storage of and access to law enforcement body-worn camera footage. The board shall be composed of five civilian members, appointed by members of the three branches of government, and shall be tasked with reviewing the footage, responding to requests to view the footage, and making redactions to the footage prior to release when appropriate.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0197/H-0197%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.202 An act relating to expungement and sealing of criminal history records without a petition
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a process for the courts to automatically order the expungement and sealing of criminal history records for eligible crimes and civil offenses without a petition.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0202/H-0202%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.203 An act relating to criminal threatening a State employee or elected official
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to impose an enhanced penalty for the offense of criminal threatening with the intent to threaten a State employee or elected official.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0203/H-0203%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 2/12/21
House Bills:
H.208 An act relating to exempting certain services from the requirements for unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage
Introduced by Rep. Hooper
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exempt services provided by individuals in relation to juvenile or criminal litigation under the direction of counsel assigned to provide representation under authority of the Office of Defender General from the requirements for unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0208/H-0208%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.210 An act relating to addressing disparities and promoting equity in the health care system
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Anne Donahue, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. Kristi Morris, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) establish the Office of Health Equity; (2) establish the Health Equity Advisory Commission; (3) issue grants for the promotion of health equity; (4) collect data to better understand health disparities in Vermont; and (5) require an additional two hours of continuing medical education on cultural competency in the practice of medicine.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0210/H-0210%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.211 An act relating to recovery residences
Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Daniel Noyes , Rep. David Durfee, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) provide certain residential rental agreement exclusions to recovery residences; (2) require that recovery residences have certain policies and procedures pertaining to residential agreements, temporary removal, separation, and drug testing; (3) require a municipality to treat a recovery residence as a single family residential home under its land use bylaws; (4) require the Department of Corrections to submit a report to the General Assembly pertaining to the number of individuals on furlough who reside in recovery residences; and (5) establishes the Recovery Stabilization Study Committee.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0211/H-0211%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.212 An act relating to expanding the distribution and availability of opioid antagonists
Rep. Barbara Rachelson , Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to expand the distribution and availability of opioid antagonists.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0212/H-0212%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.217 An act relating to the evaluation of Act 46
Rep. Heidi Scheuermann , Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Brian Savage, Rep. Vicki Strong
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Agency of Education to evaluate the successes and failures of Act 46.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0217/H-0217%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.221 An act relating to parental rights and responsibilities
Rep. James Masland , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Scott Beck, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Felisha Leffler, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Linda Sullivan
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to declare that it is the public policy of the State to encourage parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of raising their children after their parents have separated or divorced; to create a rebuttable presumption that shared parental rights and responsibilities are in the best interests of the child; and to amend the factors a court considers in determining the best interests of a child.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0221/H-0221%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.223 An act relating to establishing a hearsay exemption in cases involving cruelty to a child
Rep. Robert Norris , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Eileen “Lynn” Dickinson, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. Felisha Leffler, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Brian Savage, Rep. George Till
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to add cruelty to a child to the list of offenses for which there is an exemption from the hearsay rule when the victim is a child 12 years of age or under or a person with a mental illness or an intellectual or developmental disability.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0223/H-0223%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.224 An act relating to creating a Department of Corrections annual reporting requirement
Rep. Curt Taylor
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Commissioner of Corrections to submit an annual report to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions with requested data and information on the year-to-year performance of Department initiatives. The Commissioner shall consult annually with two members of the Committee to determine what information is required to be in the report the following year. The reporting requirement ceases on July 1, 2025.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0224/H-0224%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.226 An act relating to regulating the markup on commissary and telecommunications prices in prisons
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to regulate the prices charged to inmates for commissary products and intrastate telecommunications services in correctional facilities.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0226/H-0226%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.228 An act relating to prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s criminal history
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, financial services, insurance, and social services that is based on an individual’s criminal history or information related to an individual’s contacts with the criminal justice system.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0228/H-0228%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.229 An act relating to performing green housing retrofits and installing rooftop solar panels, supporting an equitable transition to a zero-carbon building sector, creating high-quality union jobs and prioritizing the unionized workforce for conducting retrofits and workforce development, creating a progressive funding structure and prioritizing households with annual incomes of less than $50,000.00, and ensuring that energy is affordable for lower-income Vermont residents
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. James Masland, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to perform green housing retrofits of, and to install rooftop solar panels on, income-qualifying homes; to support an equitable transition to a zero-carbon building sector by 2040; to create high-quality union jobs and to prioritize the unionized workforce in conducting retrofits and workforce development programs; to create a progressive funding structure for retrofits and to prioritize households with annual incomes of less than $50,000.00; and to ensure that energy is affordable for lower-income Vermont residents.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0229/H-0229%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.231 An act relating to mitigating factors in sentencing a minor for a crime
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that when a defendant who is under 18 years of age is sentenced for a crime, the court must consider whether the child was subjected to any early childhood trauma or adverse childhood experiences as potential mitigating factors and allows the court to depart from any mandatory minimum sentence or penalty enhancement if the court finds such mitigating factors exist.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0231/H-0231%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.232 An act relating to promoting land and home ownership and economic opportunity
Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Jana Brown, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Paul Lefebvre, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Amy Sheldon, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to promote land and home ownership and economic opportunity for Vermonters who have historically suffered discrimination or unequal access to benefits and services, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and to prepare for climate change.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0232/H-0232%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.233 An act relating to consumer protection and ensuring confidentiality of genetic information
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to protect consumer privacy by requiring that a business that collects genetic data from a Vermont consumer to provide ancestry or similar information protects the data and keeps it confidential.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0233/H-0233%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.234 An act relating to prohibiting employment discrimination based on caste
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit employment discrimination based on an individual’s caste.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0234/H-0234%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.235 An act relating to consumer protections related to involuntary towing and storage of motor vehicles and abandoned motor vehicles
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) establish consumer rights in connection with involuntary towing and subsequent storage of motor vehicles, including requiring court action prior to the assignment of motor vehicle title to a towing and storage operator; and (2) require the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain and keep current on its website a list of vehicles for which an application for a certificate of abandoned motor vehicle has been filed.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0235/H-0235%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 236 An act relating to ranked choice voting
Rep. Laura Sibilia , Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Curtis McCormack, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Patrick Seymour, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the use of ranked choice voting in all primary elections except for that of President and in general elections for the offices of U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0236/H-0236%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.238 An act relating to qualification for a public defender
Rep. Selene Colburn , Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that public defender services be available to any person charged with a crime, not just to those persons charged with serious crimes.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0238/H-0238%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.239 An act relating to establishing various employment standards and protections
Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require employers to provide their employees with a reliable work schedule, to require employers to reimburse employees for necessary expenditures that are incurred by employees in the course of employment, and to establish a good cause standard for termination of employment.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0239/H-0239%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.243 An act relating to the Working Group on Services for Adults with Autism
Rep. Francis McFaun , Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Working Group on Services for Adults with Autism.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0243/H-0243%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.249 An act relating to presumptive diversion to treatment court
Rep. Maxine Grad , Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a presumption that prosecuting attorneys refer to treatment dockets offenders screened as having high prognostic risk and high criminogenic needs who are alleged to have committed an offense associated with a substance use disorder.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0249/H-0249%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.251 An act relating to harassing marketing or solicitation of vulnerable adults
Rep. Robert Hooper , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Daniel Noyes, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit a person from selling or marketing goods to, or accepting business from, a vulnerable adult after the vulnerable adult or his or her agent or guardian has asked the person in writing to discontinue selling or marketing goods to, or accepting business from, the vulnerable adult.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0251/H-0251%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.256 An act relating to improving rental housing health and safety
Rep. Thomas Stevens , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Karen Dolan, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Trevor Squirrell, Rep. Linda Sullivan, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tommy Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to improve rental housing health and safety.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0256/H-0256%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.257 An act relating to business practices for employers receiving State funds
Rep. Emilie Kornheiser , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that employers receiving State funds through grants or contracts comply with certain governance, operations, hiring, and employment practices.
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that employers receiving State funds through grants or contracts comply with certain governance, operations, hiring, and employment practices.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0257/H-0257%20As%20Introduced.pdf
VCDR Bills of Interest 2/19/21
House Bills:
H. 258 An act relating to increasing the minimum wage to $15.00
Rep. John Killacky , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. George Till, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tommy Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2025.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0258/H-0258%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 264 An act relating to trail accessibility
Rep. Elizabeth Burrows , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. James Harrison, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. James Masland, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. David Yacovone, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that: (1) at least 10 percent of each newly constructed trail in a State park be accessible to individuals with physical disabilities; and (2) accessible trail buildouts use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0264/H-0264%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 265 An act relating to the Office of the Child Advocate
Rep. Daniel Noyes, Rep. Jessica Brumsted , Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Kelly Pajala, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish an Office of the Child Advocate, independent from State government, to provide transparent and impartial oversight of Vermont’s justice-involved youth and child welfare systems. The Office of the Child Advocate shall: (1) collect and analyze data regarding the well-being of children in Vermont; (2) identify systemic shortcomings in Vermont’s justice-involved youth and child welfare systems; and (3)
make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding any necessary reforms to better serve Vermont children and youths.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0265/H-0265%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 266 An act relating to an incremental approach to health insurance coverage for hearing aids
Rep. Theresa Wood , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Lisa Hango, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Daniel Noyes, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Trevor Squirrell, Rep. Linda Sullivan, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Dane Whitman, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require Medicaid, the State Employees Health Plan, and large group health insurance plans to provide coverage for hearing aids beginning in plan year 2022. It would also direct the Agency of Human Services to apply for federal approval to modify the essential health benefit package for Vermont’s individual and small group health insurance plans to include coverage for hearing aids beginning in plan year 2023.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0266/H-0266%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 268 An act relating to human trafficking and prostitution
Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Maxine Grad , Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. James Masland, Rep. William Notte, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Rebecca White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide limited immunity from prosecution for certain crimes for a person who, in good faith and in a timely manner, reports to law enforcement that the person is a victim of or a witness to a crime that arose from the person’s involvement in prostitution or human trafficking and to create a sex work study committee for the purpose of modernizing Vermont’s prostitution laws.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0268/H-0268%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 269 An act relating to the persons authorized to make contributions to candidates and political parties
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide that only individuals, political committees, and political parties may make a contribution to a candidate or to a political party.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0269/H-0269%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 270 An act relating to modernizing Vermont’s wage and hour laws
Rep. John Killacky , Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tommy Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make technical changes to Vermont’s wage and hour laws in order to modernize the statutory language and to repeal or amend obsolete provisions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0270/H-0270%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 271 An act relating to the regulation of court reporters
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to enact regulations to ensure the impartiality of court reporters. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0271/H-0271%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 272 An act relating to possession of firearms by persons convicted of a violent crime
Rep. Patrick Brennan
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create an exception to the prohibition on firearms possession by persons convicted of violent crimes if the conviction is for violating an abuse prevention order and the offense was committed before July 1, 2015.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0272/H-0272%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 273 An act relating to promoting racial and social equity in land access and property ownership
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. David Durfee, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. John Gannon, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Rebecca White, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to promote racial and social equity in land access and property ownership by creating grant programs, financial education, and other investments targeted to Vermonters who have historically suffered from discrimination and who have not had equal access to public or private economic benefits due to race, ethnicity, sex, geography, language preference, immigrant or citizen status, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or disability status.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0273/H-0273%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 274 An act relating to consumer protection and collection of consumer information
Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide notification to consumers concerning products that record or collect information and establish minimum security standards for connected devices.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0274/H-0274%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 276 An act relating to incremental implementation of Green Mountain Care
Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Kevin Christie , Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Matthew Birong, Rep. Alyssa Black, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Timothy Briglin, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Peter Conlon, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. David Durfee, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Alice Emmons, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Kimberly Jessup, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. James Masland, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Francis McFaun, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Carolyn Partridge, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Robin Scheu, Rep. Amy Sheldon, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Rebecca White, Rep. David Yacovone, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over time, starting with primary care in the first year, adding preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and incorporating additional health care services in later years. It would establish the Universal Health Care Advisory Group at the Green Mountain Care Board to provide recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the sequencing of and financing for the health care services to be added in the third through tenth years of Green Mountain Care’s implementation. The bill would also express legislative intent regarding funding sources for Green Mountain Care’s first and second years and would prohibit health insurance plans and rates from reflecting duplication of the coverage provided by Green Mountain Care. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0276/H-0276%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 277 An act relating to permitting homeless shelters during a declared state of emergency
Rep. Katherine Donnally , Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Daniel Noyes, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Lucy Rogers, Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, Rep. David Yacovone
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow towns to waive zoning permit procedures for homeless shelters during a declared state of emergency.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0277/H-0277%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 279 An act relating to miscellaneous changes affecting the duties of the Department of Vermont Health Access
Rep. Lori Houghton
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow the Secretary of Human Services to adopt emergency rules if new State or federal law or guidance requires the State to adopt or amend its rules regarding Medicaid or the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange in a time frame that cannot be accomplished using the regular rulemaking process. It would eliminate the duty of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange to collect Exchange plan premium payments and would remove a visit limit for preventive dental services in the Medicaid program. The bill would allow the Director of Pharmacy Services for the Department of Vermont Health Access or designee, and a designee of the Department’s Medical Director, to query the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System. It would also consolidate the Department of Vermont Health Access’s prescription drug program reporting requirements, remove a requirement that the Department report proposed changes to the Medicaid preferred drug list or the Department’s drug utilization review procedures to the General Assembly prior to implementation, and eliminate a requirement that the Department submit proposed rules on its pharmaceutical assistance programs to a legislative committee for review and advice.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0279/H-0279%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.281 An act relating to prohibiting candidacy for election to more than one office at a time
Rep. Ann Pugh
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit an individual from being a candidate for election for two or more offices where the offices are incompatible. Incompatible offices are those offices defined in Chapter II, § 54 of the Vermont Constitution and any two or more offices with overlapping terms for which the same individual could not serve if elected. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0281/H-0281%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 282 An act relating to enrollment in Medicare supplemental insurance policies
Rep. David Durfee
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create annual open enrollment periods for Medicare supplemental insurance policies and to prohibit health insurers from charging additional premiums, fees, or penalties based on an individual’s failure to enroll in a Medicare supplemental insurance policy within six months following the individual’s 65th
birthday. The bill would permit enrollees to change at any time from one Medicare supplemental insurance policy to another policy with comparable or lesser benefits. It would also direct the Department of Financial Regulation to convene a stakeholder group to consider issues related to the availability of, enrollment in, and use of supplemental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and to provide recommendations to the General Assembly.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0282/H-0282%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 283 An act relating to bodily autonomy and health care decision making
Rep. Vicki Strong , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Robert LaClair, Rep. Paul Lefebvre
S
tatement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to recognize and to prohibit any interference with an individual’s rights to bodily autonomy, to make the individual’s own health care decisions, and to be free to accept or refuse any health or medical intervention, testing, treatment, or vaccine based on the individual’s own religious, conscientious, or person beliefs.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0283/H-0283%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 285 An act relating to the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act
Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to adopt the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0285/H-0285%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 286 An act relating to the authorized professional use of regulated drugs
Rep. Mari Cordes
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to update statutes related to the authorized professional use of regulated drugs to reflect that prescribing, administering, and dispensing regulated drugs is within the existing scope of practice of many health care professional disciplines. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0286/H-0286%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 287 An act relating to patient financial assistance policies and medical debt protection
Rep. Mari Cordes , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Lori Houghton, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to set minimum requirements for specified health care facilities’ patient financial assistance policies. It would also provide patients with certain protections against medical debt.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0287/H-0287%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 288 An act relating to background checks for firearms sales
Rep. Michael Mrowicki
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit firearms transfers until after the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has affirmatively provided notice that the transfer may proceed, removing the option of permitting the transfer to proceed if NICS has not provided notification of a failed background check within 3 business days.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0288/H-0288%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 292 An act relating to a regenerative economy
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Philip “Jay” Hooper, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Amy Sheldon, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Rebecca White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the State to develop a plan for a regenerative economy by 2024.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0292/H-0292%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 294 An act relating to prohibiting certain provisions in dental insurance contracts with dentists
Rep. Eileen “Lynn” Dickinson , Rep. Timothy Corcoran, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Stephanie Jerome, Rep. Charles Kimbell, Rep. Michael Marcotte, Rep. Brian Savage
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit dental insurance plans from imposing fee schedules on dentists for dental services that are not otherwise covered under the plan. It would also prohibit these plans from placing restrictions on allowable methods of payment in their contracts with dentists such that the only acceptable method is a credit card payment.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0294/H-0294%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 296 An act relating to reducing the imposition of cash bail
Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Selene Colburn , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Erin Brady, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep.
Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Rebecca White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the imposition of cash bail in cases where the defendant has been charged with a criminal offense that is eligible for expungement; to require criminal justice stakeholders to develop recommendations to eliminate cash bail; to require the Department of Corrections to report racial data on pretrial detainees; and to require the Judiciary to establish and implement a system to notify persons charged with a criminal offense of upcoming court hearings.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0296/H-0296%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 297 An act relating to a surcharge on income tax
Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Rebecca White , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Kristi Morris, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Tommy Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to impose a surcharge on taxpayers with more than $500,000.00 of federal adjusted gross income. The surcharge would apply at the rates of one percent, three percent, and three and one-half of a percent on the portion of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income that exceeds the specified thresholds. The bill would also increase the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0297/H-0297%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 298 An act relating to administrative penalties for law enforcement use of excessive force
Rep. Rebecca White , Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to impose administrative penalties on law enforcement officers convicted of the crime of law enforcement use of prohibited restraint, increase transparency in the imposition of administrative sanctions against law enforcement officers found to have violated policy, and suspend administrative leave pay for law enforcement officers under investigation.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0298/H-0298%20As%20Introduced.pdf
VCDR Bills of Interest up to 2/26/21
House Bills:
H.302 An act relating to criminal threatening in schools
Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. William Canfield, Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide an enhanced penalty for criminal threats involving the use of firearms or explosives at a school.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0302/H-0302%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 304 An act relating to creating the crime of extortion by introducing ransomware
Rep. Michael Mrowicki
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the crime of intent to extort by introducing ransomware and to create the Cybercrime Study Committee.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0304/H-0304%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 306 An act relating to developing a State Planning Office
Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Sarah “Sarita” Austin, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. James Masland, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Tommy Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a study committee to propose an entity that would coordinate State, regional, and local planning.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0306/H-0306%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 308 An act relating to authorizing card check elections
Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Mary Hooper, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit employees to elect a collective bargaining representative through card check elections.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0308/H-0308%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 310 An act relating to the regulation of kratom products
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to regulate kratom products according to existing health and consumer protections laws for labeling consumable products for marketing and sale and to establish an age requirement for the purchase of kratom products.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0310/H-0310%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.315 An act relating to COVID-19 relief
House Committee on Appropriations
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide COVID-19 relief to Vermont, including working families and small businesses.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0315/H-0315%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.317 An act relating to establishing the Bureau of Racial Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Racial Justice Statistics Advisory Panel
Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Martin LaLonde , Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Bureau of Racial Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Racial Justice Statistics Advisory Panel to collect and analyze criminal justice data in order to identify and address racial bias in the criminal justice system.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0317/H-0317%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.319 An act relating to immunity from liability for licensed professionals providing essential services during emergencies
Rep. James Masland , Rep. Timothy Briglin
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make licensed professionals immune from civil liability for injuries caused by the provision of essential services during states of emergency declared by the Governor.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0319/H-0319%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.320 An act relating to prohibiting agreements that prevent an employee from working for the employer following the settlement of a discrimination claim
Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit agreements to settle a discrimination claim from prohibiting the employee from working for the employer or an affiliate of the employer.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0320/H-0320%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.322 An act relating to establishing an exemption to immunizations required for attendance at school and child care facilities on the basis of conscientious and personal beliefs
Rep. Vicki Strong , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Robert LaClair, Rep. Paul Lefebvre
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish an exemption to immunizations required for attendance at school and child care facilities on the basis of conscientious and personal beliefs.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0322/H-0322%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.323 An act relating to reporting on adverse reactions related to immunizations
Rep. Vicki Strong , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Robert LaClair, Rep. Paul Lefebvre, Rep. James Masland
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Department of Health to submit an annual report to the General Assembly regarding adverse reactions reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0323/H-0323%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.324 An act relating to coverage by commercial health insurers for costs associated with medication-assisted treatment
Rep. Ann Pugh
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require commercial health insurers to share costs associated with the provision of medication-assisted treatment by certain providers.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0324/H-0324%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.329 An act relating to amending the prohibitions against discrimination
Rep. Kevin Christie , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. George Till, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, education, public accommodations, and housing to provide that harassment need not be severe and pervasive to constitute unlawful discrimination and to establish a uniform six-year statute of limitations for claims of discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing. This bill also proposes to amend the law prohibiting employment discrimination to provide that an employee need not pursue an internal grievance process prior to filing a claim and shall not be required to demonstrate that a comparable employee was treated differently to prove that discrimination occurred.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0329/H-0329%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.332 An act relating to expanding loan repayment opportunities for physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses
Rep. Lisa Hango, Rep. David Durfee , Rep. Matthew Birong, Rep. James Gregoire, Rep. James Harrison, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Mary Morrissey, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Harvey Smith, Rep. Terri Williams
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Physician Assistant and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Educational Benefit Program to provide scholarship and loan repayment opportunities for students pursuing a master’s degree in physician assistant studies or in nursing, and to individuals who have received a master’s degree in physician assistant studies or nursing, who agree to provide health care services as a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse in Vermont for two years for each year of scholarship or loan repayment assistance awarded.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0332/H-0332%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.334 An act relating to bias training for school bus operators
Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require bias training for all school bus operators.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0334/H-0334%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.336 An act relating to promoting economic opportunity for BIPOC-owned businesses
Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Michael Mrowicki , Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Jessica Brumsted, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Katherine “Kari” Dolan, Rep. Leslie Goldman, Rep. Maxine Grad, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Thomas Stevens, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. Rebecca White, Rep. Theresa Wood, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to promote economic opportunity for BIPOC-owned businesses in this State.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0336/H-0336%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.344 An act relating to providing dedicated earned sick time
Rep. Carol Ode , Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Tommy Walz
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require employers to provide employees with a dedicated amount of earned sick time that is separate and distinct from all other types of accrued paid leave that the employer provides to its employees. Full-time employees must accrue earned sick time at a rate of at least 5 days per year.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0344/H-0344%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.348 An act relating to a property tax exemption for prekindergarten and child care providers
Rep. Thomas Stevens
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exempt property owned by certain prekindergarten and child care providers from property taxation.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0348/H-0348%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.350 An act relating to penalties for Lifeline service interruptions
Rep. Laura Sibilia
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that a Lifeline service provider shall be assessed an administrative penalty by the Public Utility Commission of $25.00 per customer for each day there is a service interruption resulting in a loss of E-911 calling capacity. Penalties collected under this subdivision shall be deposited into the Enhanced 911 Fund established under 30 V.S.A. § 7054.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0350/H-0350%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.351 An act relating to making various amendments to the Parental and Family Leave Act
Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Robin Scheu
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Parental and Family Leave Act to make it applicable to additional employers, to permit employees to care for additional types of family members, and by making various other amendments.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0351/H-0351%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.352 An act relating to allowing ranked choice voting in municipal elections
Rep. Laura Sibilia , Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow municipal voters to vote at an annual or special meeting to use ranked choice voting to elect the officers of the municipality in subsequent elections.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0352/H-0352%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.353 An act relating to pharmacy benefit management
Rep. Mari Cordes
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require pharmacy benefit managers to obtain licensure from, rather than register with, the Department of Financial Regulation. It would establish a detailed regulatory framework for regulating pharmacy benefit managers and would prohibit or restrict a number of pharmacy benefit management activities. The bill would recodify most of the existing statutory provisions relating to pharmacy benefit managers in one chapter, with some revisions. It would allow health insurance plan beneficiaries to choose their own pharmacies, limit direct solicitation by pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers, and provide pharmacies with additional rights during an audit. The bill would also require the Agency of Human Services to select a wholesale drug distributor through a competitive bidding process to be the sole source to distribute prescription drugs to pharmacies for dispensing to Medicaid beneficiaries. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0353/H-0353%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.355 An act relating to accountable care organization benchmarks and recertification
Rep. Heidi Scheuermann , Rep. Marcia Martel, Rep. Mary Morrissey, Rep. Woodman Page
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require certified accountable care organizations to meet specific benchmarks by December 31, 2021. If an accountable care organization fails to meet one or more of the benchmarks by December 31, 2021, the bill would prohibit the Green Mountain Care Board from recertifying the accountable care organization for calendar year 2023 unless the recertification was specifically authorized by the General Assembly.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0355/H-0355%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.356 An act relating to miscellaneous workers’ compensation amendments
Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to specify when an employer may require an employee who has been medically cleared to return to work to engage in a work search, to amend the formula for determining the amount of compensation that is due to an employee with a temporary partial disability, to clarify the requirements for providing dependency benefits and cost of living adjustments to compensation paid to an employee with a temporary partial disability, and to permit the Commissioner to award the necessary costs of a proceeding to a claimant if he or she prevails.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0356/H-0356%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.357 An act relating to deemed licensure of out-of-state health care professionals
Rep. Mary Morrissey
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to deem an individual who is licensed, registered, or certified to provide health care services in any other U.S. jurisdiction as being licensed, registered, or certified to provide health care services in Vermont and to use telemedicine to provide health care services to patients located in Vermont.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0357/H-0357%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.359 An act relating to expanding access to unemployment insurance benefits
Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the definition of employment for purposes of unemployment insurance; to require the Department of Labor to use State Employees for the intake, processing, administration, and adjudication of all unemployment insurance claims; to increase the amount of weekly unemployment insurance benefits; to establish additional instances in which an employee who voluntarily leaves employment may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits; to create a study committee to examine the possibility of creating a portable benefits system for contingent workers in Vermont; and to require the Department of Labor to report to the General Assembly regarding improving the accessibility of the unemployment insurance system for individuals with limited English proficiency and to improve the Domestic and Sexual Violence Survivor’s Transitional Employment Program.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0359/H-0359%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.360 An act relating to accelerated community broadband deployment
House Committee on Energy and Technology
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to coordinate, facilitate, support, and accelerate community broadband deployment throughout Vermont.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0360/H-0360%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.363 An act relating to campaign expenditures and candidate salaries
Rep. Mary Howard
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit a candidate for statewide office to receive a salary from the candidate’s campaign funds.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0363/H-0363%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.364 An act relating to privatization contracts
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Philip “Jay” Hooper, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Mary Howard, Rep. Avram Patt
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the requirements for the Executive Branch to enter into privatization contracts.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0364/H-0364%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.365 An act relating to exemptions from the minimum wage
Rep. Mary Howard
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide a minimum salary that an individual must earn to qualify as an executive, administrative, or professional employee for purposes of being exempt from the minimum wage law. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0365/H-0365%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.368 An act relating to hospital and accountable care organization salary information
Rep. Lucy Rogers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require hospitals and accountable care organizations, as part of their annual budget reviews, to disclose to the Green Mountain Care Board the same salary and other compensation information that must be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 990. The bill would direct the Green Mountain Care Board to evaluate the reasonableness of the salaries and other compensation and would specify that the salary and other compensation information must be made available to the public upon request.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0368/H-0368%20As%20Introduced.pdf
House Bills: 3/12/21
H.372 An act relating to annual student performance reports
Rep. Heidi Scheuermann
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that annual student performance reporting required under State and federal law be designed to maximize the amount of grade-specific and school-specific student performance information as possible and to require that the State Board of Education and Secretary of Education update applicable student performance reporting rules and operating systems.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0372/H-0372%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H. 375 An act relating to screening students for dyslexia
Rep. Felisha Leffler
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that students in public schools be screened for dyslexia.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0375/H-0375%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.378 An act relating to law enforcement officers employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Rebecca White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to add law enforcement officers employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the definition of “certified federal law enforcement officer.”
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0378/H-0378%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.380 An act relating to allowing probation and parole officers to carry firearms while on duty
Rep. Mary Howard
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow probation and parole officers to carry firearms while on duty after successfully completing a course conducted by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0380/H-0380%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.381 An act relating to taxing campaign contributions
Rep. Lucy Rogers
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to tax campaign contributions received by political candidates, political committees, and political parties. This bill proposes that a political candidate who did not receive enough campaign contributions to warrant filing a campaign finance report pursuant to 17 V.S.A. chapter 61 would not be taxed on those campaign contributions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0381/H-0381%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.385 An act relating to advertising by licensed cannabis establishments and dispensaries
Rep. Arthur Peterson , Rep. Lisa Hango, Rep. Leland Morgan, Rep. Woodman Page, Rep. Maida Townsend
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish standard warning language that is required for all cannabis advertisements and labels affixed to cannabis and cannabis products packaged for retail sales.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0385/H-0385%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.386 An act relating to social equity recommendations for the regulated cannabis industry
Rep. Kevin Christie , Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Sara Coffey, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Kathleen James, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Avram Patt, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Theresa Wood
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to add two persons, an Indigenous Native American of Vermont and a person of color, to the Cannabis Control Board’s advisory committee and direct the Board and the advisory committee to consider the report of the Social Equity Caucus Work Group regarding cannabis and to report to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before November 1, 2021 comprehensive, actionable recommendations for addressing issues raised in the report.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0386/H-0386%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.387 An act relating to establishing the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for the Institution of Chattel Slavery
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for the Institution of Chattel Slavery to: (1) study and consider a State apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery; and (2) make recommendations to the General Assembly on appropriate remedies.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0387/H-0387%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.388 An act relating to income-based education funding
Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Mollie Burke, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Caleb Elder, Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Katherine Sims, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. David Yacovone
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to simplify the Vermont education funding model and transition from a property-based tax to an income-based tax. This bill would create an education tax that is based on the income of all Vermont residents (both homeowners and renters) with a rate determined by locally voted budgets. This bill would eliminate the homestead education property tax and levy the nonhomestead education property tax on all property except residential dwellings and the two-acre parcel surrounding the dwellings. This bill would continue to provide the existing renter credit. An ongoing Education Fund Advisory Committee would be established under this bill to monitor the education funding system and to report and make recommendations annually to the General Assembly.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0388/H-0388%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.389 An act relating to an administrative hearing process for disposition of child support matters
Rep. Maxine Grad
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize the Office of Child Support to hold administrative hearings for the purpose of establishing or modifying child support orders.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0389/H-0389%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.391 An act relating to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes that the State adopt and enter into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0391/H-0391%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.392 An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists
Rep. Daniel Noyes , Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, Rep. Maida Townsend, Rep. David Yacovone
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow the Board of Psychological Examiners to confer prescribing authority upon doctoral-level psychologists who have completed specific educational and training requirements.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0392/H-0392%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.394 An act relating to reorganizing the administration of child care and early learning services
Rep. Lawrence Cupoli, Rep. James Gregoire
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the Department for Children and Families’ Child Development Division and reallocate the Division’s existing duties to the Department for Children and Families’ Economic Services and Family Services Divisions, the Departments of Health and of Mental Health, and the Agency of Education.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0394/H-0394%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.395 An act relating to addressing barriers to substance use disorder treatment
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky , Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Philip “Jay” Hooper, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Logan Nicoll, Rep. William Notte, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Dane Whitman
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) eliminate prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment covered by Medicaid; (2) eliminate prior authorization and length of stay limitations on residential treatment at a participating substance use disorder treatment program covered by private insurers and Medicaid; and (3) make eligibility of any State funding, including Medicaid reimbursements, to approved substance use disorder treatment programs providing residential treatment contingent on a program allowing patient screening, intake, and admission through the Department of Health’s Helplink Program.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0395/H-0395%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.397 An act relating to recovery supports for individuals experiencing substance use disorder
Rep. Selene Colburn , Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Dane Whitman
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) expand the locations in which an organized community-based needle exchange program can operate; and (2) establish the Recovery Stabilization Study Committee.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0397/H-0397%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.401 An act relating to promoting racial and social equity in Vermont
Rep. Emily Long, Rep. Patricia McCoy, Rep. Selene Colburn
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to promote racial and social equity in Vermont through multiple provisions relating to education, employment, housing, law enforcement, and judicial practice and procedure.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0401/H-0401%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.403 An act relating to prohibiting no cause evictions
Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit no cause evictions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0403/H-0403%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.404 An act relating to correcting defective ballots
Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Anne Donahue, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Carol Ode, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Lawrence Satcowitz, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Taylor Small, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Tommy Walz, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow an early or absentee voter to correct certain defects in the voter’s early voter absentee ballot.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0404/H-0404%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.405 An act relating to promoting racial equity and protecting Vermonters
Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize and provide funding for three positions within the Human Rights Commission and to require that all State agencies and departments collect certain data and adopt strategies to address disparities.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0405/H-0405%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.406 An act relating to promoting racial and social equity in economic opportunity and cultural empowerment
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Kirk White, Rep. Michael Yantachka
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to promote racial and social equity in economic opportunity and cultural empowerment.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0406/H-0406%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.407 An act relating to exempting half of all Social Security benefits for all Vermonters
Rep. Daniel Noyes
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Vermont income tax exemption for Social Security benefits by exempting 50 percent of all federally taxable Social Security benefits, regardless of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income currently qualifies for a full exemption of their benefits will continue to be fully exempt. For taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is above the limit for a full exemption, the remaining 50 percent of federally taxable Social Security benefits will be excluded from taxable income according to the existing phase-out schedule.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0407/H-0407%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.408 An act relating to requiring public bodies to make meetings viewable through electronic means
Rep. Felisha Leffler , Rep. Scott Beck, Rep. Samantha Lefebvre, Rep. Rebecca White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that: (1) every meeting of a public body be viewable by electronic means from the time the first member arrives for the meeting; and (2) any executive session held by a public body is recorded, preserved, and subject to Vermont’s Public Records Act.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0408/H-0408%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.414 An act relating to cannabis social equity programs
Rep. Brian Cina , Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Harold “Hal” Colston, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require reduced cannabis establishment license fees for social equity applicants; establish the Cannabis Business Development Fund to provide low-interest rate loans and grants to social equity applicants to pay for ordinary and necessary expenses to start and operate a licensed cannabis establishment; establish the Community Social Equity Program; and permit existing licensed cannabis dispensaries to begin selling cannabis and cannabis products in the fall of 2021 upon payment of substantial fees to support social equity programs.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0414/H-0414%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.415 An act relating to appeals of mortgage foreclosure judgments
Rep. James Masland , Rep. Kevin Christie
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit mortgage foreclosure judgments to be appealed without permission of the court.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0415/H-0415%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.417 An act relating to requiring six-person juries in civil proceedings
Rep. Kevin Christie , Rep. Martin LaLonde
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that juries in civil proceedings be composed of six persons.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0417/H-0417%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.419 An act relating to limiting drug-related criminal liability and civil forfeiture actions against persons associated with an approved safer drug consumption program
Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser , Rep. Peter Anthony, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. John Killacky, Rep. William Lippert, Rep. James McCullough, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Rebecca White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to limit drug related criminal liability and civil forfeiture actions against persons associated with an approved safer drug consumption program.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0419/H-0419%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.422 An act relating to decriminalizing possession and dispensing of a personal use supply of regulated drugs
Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep. Logan Nicoll , Rep. R. Scott Campbell, Rep. Seth Chase, Rep. Kevin Christie, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Katherine Donnally, Rep. Warren Kitzmiller, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Heather Surprenant, Rep. Tristan Toleno, Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Drug Use Standards Advisory Board within the Department of Health for the purpose of determining the benchmark personal use dosage and the benchmark personal use supply for regulated drugs with a goal of preventing and reducing the criminalization of personal drug use. Possessing and dispensing such drugs in an amount not greater than the benchmark personal use supply would become a civil violation subject to a penalty of not more than $50.00. The $50.00 penalty will be waived if the person agrees to participate in a screening for substance misuse treatment and related services. A person who has been previously diagnosed with substance misuse disorder shall not be subject to the $50.00 civil penalty upon providing evidence of the diagnosis to the court.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0422/H-0422%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.428 An act relating to hate-motivated crimes and misconduct
House Committee on Judiciary
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the hate-motivated crimes statute to eliminate the element that the conduct be “maliciously” motivated.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0428/H-0428%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 3/19/21
H.430 An act relating to expanding eligibility for Dr. Dynasaur to all income-eligible children and pregnant individuals regardless of immigration status
House Committee on Health Care
This bill proposes to expand eligibility for Dr. Dynasaur to all income-eligible children and pregnant individuals, regardless of immigration status, by July 1, 2022. It would appropriate one-time funds to the Agency of Human Services to begin implementing the expansion and would direct the Agency to include the full costs of covering income-eligible pregnant women and children who are undocumented immigrants on Dr. Dynasaur in the Agency fiscal year 2023 budget proposal.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0430/H-0430%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.433 An act relating to the Transportation Program and miscellaneous changes to laws related to transportation
House Committee on Transportation
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to adopt the State’s annual Transportation Program and make miscellaneous changes to laws related to transportation.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0433/H-0433%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.435 An act relating to miscellaneous Department of Corrections-related amendments
House Committee on Corrections and Institutions
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make miscellaneous changes regarding the Department of Corrections, including the organizational structure and practices for hiring, training, certifying, and disciplining employees.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0435/H-0435%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 3/26/21
H.436 An act relating to miscellaneous changes to Vermont’s tax laws
House Committee on Ways and Means
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make numerous substantive and administrative changes to Vermont’s tax laws.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0436/H-0436%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 4/2/21
House Bills:
H.440 An act relating to creating “Green Justice Zones” in Vermont
Rep. Katherine Sims
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a program establishing “Green Justice Zones.” A Green Justice Zone designation would provide pilot funding for at least two communities to establish a community-led, participatory planning, budgeting, and referendum process. This process would implement projects to address social and environmental vulnerabilities in that community. All jobs created to address social and environmental vulnerabilities under this program shall meet or exceed the prevailing industry wage, not less than $15 an hour. These jobs shall also include access to collective bargaining rights and high-quality benefits to workers. Any program created under this bill would equip workers with the skills they need for any job created. The unionized workforce shall be prioritized for conducting related workforce development programs and recruitment for these jobs will prioritize local workers with low income and workers who are Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0440/H-0440%20As%20Introduced.pdf
H.441 An act relating to eliminating penalties on underpayments of estimated tax on retirement income
Rep. George Till
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to eliminate penalties on underpayments of estimated tax on retirement income that is not subject to withholding. This bill would also expand the existing safe harbor for retirement income that is not subject to withholding by reducing the amount of the required annual payment from 90 percent of the current year’s tax liability to 75 percent of the current year’s tax liability.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0441/H-0441%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Senate Bills
S.2 An act relating to spousal support and maintenance reform
Sen. Jeanette White , Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend generally the statutes related to spousal support and maintenance.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0002/S-0002%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.3 An act relating to competency to stand trial and insanity as a defense
Sen. Richard Sears , Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Virginia Lyons, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes several measures related to criminal proceedings involving the defendant’s sanity at the time the offense was committed or the defendant’s competency to stand trial for the offense. The bill (1) clarifies that the psychiatric examination that must occur when the question of the defendant’s sanity or competency has been raised may evaluate the defendant’s competency, or the defendant’s sanity, or both; (2) provides that, if the defendant has been found to be either insane at the time of the offense or incompetent to stand trial and does not have a private attorney, the court will appoint counsel from Vermont Legal Aid to represent the defendant; (3) establishes procedures for notification of the crime victim when the defendant is discharged from a mental health treatment facility or from Department of Mental Health custody if the case involves certain serious offenses; and (4) permits the prosecution to have its own psychiatrist examine the defendant when a court-ordered examiner has found the defendant incompetent to stand trial. The bill also establishes a forensic care working group, and requires the Departments of Corrections and of Mental Health to jointly submit an inventory and evaluation of the mental health services provided by the entity with whom the Department of Corrections contracts for health care services.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0003/S-0003%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.4 An act relating to a 48-hour waiting period for firearms transfers
Sen. Philip Baruth
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require a 48-hour waiting period for most firearms transfers.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0004/S-0004%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.5 An act relating to extreme risk protection orders
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Court Administrator and the Agency of Human Services to report annual data on the use of extreme risk protection orders, and to permit a health care provider to notify a law enforcement officer when the health care provider reasonably believes that a patient poses an extreme risk of causing harm to himself or herself or another person by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a dangerous weapon or by having a dangerous weapon within his or her custody or control.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0005/S-0005%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.6 An act relating to repealing the Commissioner of Labor’s authority to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with a disability
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the Commissioner of Labor’s authority to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with a disability.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0006/S-0006%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.7 An act relating to expanding access to expungement and sealing of criminal history records
Sen. Richard Sears , Sen. Philip Baruth, Sen. Joseph Benning, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to expand eligibility for expungement or sealing of a criminal history record to most criminal offenses and several civil offenses.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0007/S-0007%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.8 An act relating to sexual exploitation of children
Sen. Richard Sears , Sen. Philip Baruth, Sen. Cheryl Hooker
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to include simulated conduct within the definition of sexual conduct for purposes of the crimes involving sexual exploitation of children.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0008/S-0008%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.9 An act relating to extending certain workers’ compensation amendments related to COVID-19
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Cheryl Hooker
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to extend until July 1, 2021 the Commissioner of Labor’s authority to waive or amend certain workers’ compensation related deadlines and requirements during a state of emergency related to COVID-19. This bill also proposes to extend the presumption that certain workers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 are entitled to workers’ compensation for the disease until July 1, 2021.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0009/S-0009%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.10 An act relating to extending certain unemployment insurance provisions related to COVID-19
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Cheryl Hooker
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to extend until July 1, 2021 certain provisions providing COVID-19 related unemployment insurance experience-rating relief and provisions allowing individuals who quit employment for certain COVID-19 related reasons to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0010/S-0010%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.16 An act relating to the creation of the School Discipline Advisory Council
Sen. Richard Sears , Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create the School Discipline Advisory Council to collect and analyze data regarding school discipline in Vermont public and approved independent schools in order to inform strategic planning, guide statewide and local decision making and resource allocation, and measure the effectiveness of statewide and local policies and practices.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0016/S-0016%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.18 An act relating to limiting earned good time sentence reductions for offenders convicted of certain crimes
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to limit the availability of earned good time sentence reductions for offenders convicted of certain crimes.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0018/S-0018%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.19 An act relating to a climate change response plan and regional planning commission involvement in identifying health care-related needs
Sen. Virginia Lyons , Sen. Rebecca Balint, Sen. Christopher Bray, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Richard McCormack, Sen. Richard Westman, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) require the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Chief Prevention Officer, to develop and adopt a statewide climate change response plan; and (2) require regional planning commissions to assist in the identification of climate change related public health risks.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0019/S-0019%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.21 An act relating to prohibiting discrimination based on genetic information
Sen. Virginia Lyons , Sen. Cheryl Hooker
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s genetic information in relation to employment, labor relations, insurance coverage, and the provision of social and medical services.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0021/S-0021%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.23 An act relating to requiring that at least one member of the Green Mountain Care Board be a health care professional
Sen. Virginia Lyons
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that at least one member of the Green Mountain Care Board be a licensed physician, physician assistant, naturopathic physician, or nurse.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0023/S-0023%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.29 An act relating to the creation of the VSC tuition-free scholarship program for Vermont residents
Sen. Ruth Hardy , Sen. Andrew Perchlik, Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create the VSC Scholarship Program to provide tuition-free scholarships for Vermont residents who attend any of the Vermont State Colleges.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0029/S-0029%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.30 An act relating to prohibiting possession of firearms at childcare facilities, hospitals, and certain public buildings
Sen. Philip Baruth , Sen. Rebecca Balint, Sen. Christopher Bray, Sen. Brian Campion, Sen. Thomas Chittenden, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Ann Cummings, Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sen. Cheryl Hooker, Sen. Virginia Lyons, Sen. Richard McCormack, Sen. Christopher Pearson, Sen. Andrew Perchlik, Sen. Kesha Ram, Sen. Michael Sirotkin, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to prohibit the possession of firearms at childcare facilities, hospitals, and certain public buildings.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0030/S-0030%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.31 An act relating to crimes and criminal procedures related to firearms
Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Ruth Hardy
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to enact several measures related to firearms. The bill proposes to: (1) require a 72-hour waiting period for all firearms sales; (2) repeal the statute that permits large capacity ammunition feeding devices to be manufactured in Vermont; (3) require that, when a firearm is not in a person’s immediate possession or control, the firearm must be locked in a safe storage depository or rendered incapable of being fired; (4) permit a family or household member to file a petition for an Emergency Risk Protection Order; and (5) authorize health care providers to inform a law enforcement officer when the health care provider reasonably believes that a patient poses an extreme risk of causing harm to himself or herself or another person by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a dangerous weapon or by having a dangerous weapon.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0031/S-0031%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.35 An act relating to prohibiting discrimination
Sen. Ruth Hardy , Sen. Andrew Perchlik, Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit discrimination on the basis of hair types and styles associated with a particular race and on the basis of weight.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0035/S-0035%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.36 An act relating to modifications to the use of certain Coronavirus Relief Fund appropriations
Introduced by Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize the continued use of Coronavirus Relief Fund monies for certain purposes, provide for additional funding to the Everyone Eats Program, allow flexibility for certain reporting requirements, and express legislative intent to use other sources of federal funds whenever possible in order to make Coronavirus Relief Fund monies available for eligible expenses.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0036/S-0036%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.39 An act relating to the Judicial Branch fee report and electronic filing fees
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Judiciary to include any fees associated with electronic filing and any proposals related to fees associated with electronic filing in its consolidated Judicial Branch fee report, as required by 32 V.S.A. § 605a.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0039/S-0039%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.41 An act relating to eliminating prohibitions and penalties on the purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products
Sen. Virginia Lyons , Sen. Ann Cummings
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to eliminate prohibitions on and penalties for the purchase, use, and possession of tobacco products in Vermont. It would also update and align tobacco-related terminology and make similar and conforming revisions in relevant statutes.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0041/S-0041%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.42 An act relating to establishing the Emergency Service Provider Wellness Commission
Sen. Brian Campion, Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Emergency Service Provider Wellness Commission.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0042/S-0042%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.45 An act relating to earned discharge from probation
Sen. Richard Sears , Sen. Philip Baruth, Sen. Joseph Benning, Sen. Alice Nitka, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make discharge of probation presumptive after the midpoint review if the probationer meets certain criteria and to provide additional opportunities for discharge or term reduction for probationers who are not approved for discharge at the midpoint of their probation term.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0045/S-0045%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.46 An act relating to limiting the co-payment amount for chiropractic services in certain health insurance plans
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Virginia Lyons
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to limit the co7 payment amount for chiropractic services in silver- and bronze-level qualified and reflective health benefit plans to not more than 125 percent of the amount of the co-payment applicable to care and services provided by a primary care provider under the same plan.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0046/S-0046%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.48 An act relating to Vermont’s adoption of the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact
Sen. Virginia Lyons , Sen. Ann Cummings, Sen. M. Jane Kitchel
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes that the State adopt and enter into the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0048/S-0048%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.49 An act relating to the Green Mountain Care Board reporting when the growth of certain health care costs exceeds the rate of inflation
Sen. Christopher Pearson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the Green Mountain Care Board to report to the General Assembly whenever the Board approves a health insurance rate, hospital budget, or accountable care organization budget at a level that represents an annual increase in excess of the cumulative Consumer Price Index rate of inflation.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0049/S-0049%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.52An act relating to increasing the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2025
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Philip Baruth, Sen. Thomas Chittenden, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Ann Cummings, Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sen. Cheryl Hooker, Sen. Virginia Lyons, Sen. Richard McCormack, Sen. Christopher Pearson, Sen. Andrew Perchlik, Sen. Anthony Pollina, Sen. Kesha Ram, Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to increase the minimum wage so that it reaches $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2025.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0052/S-0052%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.54 An act relating to the imposition of sales tax on candy to fund child care assistance
Sen. Andrew Perchlik
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to extend the Vermont Sales and Use Tax to the sale of candy and dedicate the revenue from those sales to support the Child Care Financial Assistance Program.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0054/S-0054%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.55 An act relating to paid vacation leave
Sen. Christopher Pearson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require employers to provide employees with a minimum of two weeks of paid vacation leave per year.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.58 An act relating to prohibiting use of the gay and trans panic defense
Sen. Richard McCormack , Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Andrew Perchlik
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit a criminal defendant from raising as a defense that his or her criminal conduct was based on the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the crime victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0058/S-0058%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.65 An act relating to paid family leave
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that may be administered by a private insurance provider. The Program will provide eligible employees with paid parental and family leave and the option to obtain paid medical leave coverage for their own illness. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing Parental and Family Leave Act to make it applicable to additional employers and to clarify certain provisions.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0065/S-0065%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.66 An act relating to electric bicycles
Sen. Brian Campion , Sen. Richard Westman
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to define and regulate three classes of electric bicycles.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0066/S-0066%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.69 An act relating to suicide prevention initiatives
Sen. Joseph Benning , Sen. Thomas Chittenden, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Brian Collamore, Sen. Ann Cummings, Sen. Cheryl Hooker, Sen. Corey Parent, Sen. Anthony Pollina, Sen. Joshua Terenzini
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to appropriate funding for suicide prevention initiatives, including Vermont’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Zero Suicide, the Elder Care Clinician Program, and the Vet to Vet Visitor Program. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0069/S-0069%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.70 An act relating to requiring health insurance plans to provide two primary care visits per year without cost sharing
Sen. Christopher Pearson
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require health insurance plans to provide each insured with at least two primary care visits per year with no cost-sharing requirements.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0070/S-0070%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.72 An act relating to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
Sen. Virginia Lyons , Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to adopt the most recent version of the uniform Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, which provides the legal framework for timely placement of children across state lines, suitability of prospective families, and the provision of support services to those children and families. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0072/S-0072%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.73 An act relating to allowing probation and parole officers to carry firearms while on duty
Sen. Brian Collamore , Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Russell Ingalls, Sen. Corey Parent, Sen. Joshua Terenzini
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow probation and parole officers to carry firearms while on duty after successfully completing a course conducted by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0073/S-0073%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.74 An act relating to modifications to Vermont’s patient choice at end of life laws
Sen. Richard McCormack , Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Virginia Lyons, Sen. Michael Sirotkin
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to eliminate a requirement in Vermont’s patient choice at end of life laws that both oral requests required of the patient with a terminal condition for medication to be self-administered to hasten the patient’s death must have been made in the physical presence of the physician to whom the patient made the request. It would eliminate a requirement that the prescribing physician have conducted a physical examination of the patient in order to determine that the patient was suffering a terminal condition and a requirement that the physician must have waited at least 48 hours after the occurrence of certain required events before writing the prescription. The bill would also provide immunity for any person who acts in good faith compliance with the provisions of Vermont’s patient choice at end of life laws.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0074/S-0074%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S. 75 An act relating to screening students for dyslexia
Sen. Joshua Terenzini , Sen. Joseph Benning, Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Brian Collamore, Sen. Ann Cummings, Sen. Cheryl Hooker, Sen. Virginia Lyons, Sen. Richard McCormack, Sen. Corey Parent, Sen. Anthony Pollina, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that students in public schools be screened for markers of dyslexia.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0075/S-0075%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.76 An act relating to the expansion of, and grant funding for, school resource officers in Vermont schools
Sen. Joshua Terenzini , Sen. Joseph Benning, Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Brian Collamore, Sen. Russell Ingalls, Sen. Corey Parent, Sen. Robert Starr
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to expand the use of school resource officers by providing grant funding for schools to retain them.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0076/S-0076%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.78 An act relating to binding interest arbitration for employees of the Vermont Judiciary
Sen. Hooker
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide that a bargaining impasse between the Vermont Judiciary and the representative of a collective bargaining unit may be resolved through binding arbitration upon the request of either party.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0078/S-0078%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.79 An act relating to improving rental housing health and safety
Sen. Michael Sirotkin, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Rebecca Balint
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to improve rental housing health and safety.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0079/S-0079%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Senate Bills as of 2/19/21
S. 81 An act relating to the disclosure of tax information to facilitate the administration of COVID-19-related unemployment insurance benefits
Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to permit the Commissioner of Taxes to disclose tax information to the Department of Labor for purposes of determining the amount of benefits that individuals are eligible to receive through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and for purposes of issuing tax documents for unemployment insurance and related federal and State benefits programs.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0081/S-0081%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S. 84 An act relating to the use of exclusionary discipline for students who are under eight years of age and to school district truancy referrals to the State’s Attorneys
Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the expulsion of a student who is under eight years of age from a school and to require a report to the General Assembly of school district truancy referrals to the State’s Attorneys. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0084/S-0084%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Senate Bills as of 2/26/21
S.91 An act relating to Parent Child Center Network
Sen. Richard Westman, Sen. Ruth Hardy , Sen. Cheryl Hooker, Sen. Richard McCormack, Sen. Andrew Perchlik
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) establish a Parent Child Center Network to ensure accountability among and distribute funding to designated parent child centers; (2) amend the criteria for designation as a parent child center; (3) appropriate base funding to the Parent Child Center Network; and (4) establish an annual inflation factor to monies appropriated to the Parent Child Center Network.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0091/S-0091%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.93 An act relating to exempting certain services from the requirements for unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to exempt services provided by individuals in relation to juvenile or criminal litigation under the direction of counsel assigned to provide representation under authority of the Office of Defender General from the requirements for unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0093/S-0093%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.95 An act relating to government accountability and State quality of life outcomes
Sen. Brian Collamore, Sen. Jeanette White
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the State population-level quality of life outcomes outlined in 3 V.S.A. § 2311.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0095/S-0095%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.96 An act relating to the State Planning Office
Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a study committee to propose an entity that would coordinate State, regional, and local planning.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0096/S-0096%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.97 An act relating to miscellaneous judiciary procedures
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make a number of miscellaneous amendments related to civil and criminal procedure statutes.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0097/S-0097%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.98 An act relating to reducing the imposition of cash bail
Sen. Kesha Ram , Sen. Ruth Hardy
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the imposition of cash bail in cases where the defendant has been charged with a criminal offense that is eligible for expungement; to require criminal justice stakeholders to develop recommendations to eliminate cash bail; to require the Department of Corrections to report racial data on pretrial detainees; and to require the Judiciary to establish and implement a system to notify persons charged with a criminal offense of upcoming court hearings.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0098/S-0098%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.99 An act relating to repealing the statute of limitations for civil actions based on childhood physical abuse
Sen. Christopher Pearson, Sen. Kesha Ram , Sen. Philip Baruth, Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Thomas Chittenden, Sen. Virginia Lyons, Sen. Michael Sirotkin
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the statute of limitations for the civil actions based on childhood physical abuse and permit such actions to be brought at any time.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0099/S-0099%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.101 An act relating to promoting housing choice and opportunity in smart growth areas
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Kesha Ram, Sen. Rebecca Balint
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to adopt multiple changes to promote housing choice and opportunity in smart growth areas, including:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/S.101
Senate Bills
S.103 An act relating to immunity from liability for a person reporting a crime
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide limited immunity from criminal prosecution to a person if the person reports to law enforcement that the person is a victim of or a witness to a crime that arose from the person’s involvement in prostitution or human trafficking.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0103/S-0103%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.106 An act relating to the livestream of legislative proceedings of the General Assembly and lobbying regulations
Sen. Michael Sirotkin , Sen. Randolph Brock
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a pilot project to livestream committee proceedings and floor proceedings of the General Assembly, to encourage lobbyists to wear identification, and to require a report on lobbyist compliance.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0106/S-0106%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.107 An act relating to confidential information concerning the initial arrest and charge of a juvenile
Sen. Jeanette White, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Anthony Pollina, Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to: (1) exempt from the Public Records Act and make confidential any identifying information contained in a record reflecting the initial arrest or charge of a juvenile; and (2) make the Family Division or Criminal Division of the Superior Court the sole records custodian for purposes of responding to a request for law enforcement and court records relating to a person under the jurisdiction of either court pursuant to 33 V.S.A. chapters 52 and 52A.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0107/S-0107%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.113 An act relating to establishing a cause of action for medical monitoring expenses
Sen. Richard Sears, Sen. Brian Campion
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a cause of action for the remedy of medical monitoring for a person who is exposed to a proven toxic substance. In addition, the bill would provide that a person is liable for abating a release or threatened release of hazardous material and the costs of investigation, removal, and remedial actions incurred by the State if the person manufactured a hazardous material for commercial sale and knew or should have known that the material presented a threat of harm to human health or the natural environment.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0113/S-0113%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.117 An act relating to extending health care regulatory flexibility during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to coverage of health care services delivered by audio-only telephone
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to extend until
March 31, 2022 certain provisions of 2020 Acts and Resolves Nos. 91 and 140
allowing for health care-related regulatory flexibility during and immediately
following the COVID-19 pandemic. It would require health insurance
coverage of health care services delivered by audio-only telephone and
establish requirements for health care providers delivering services in this
manner. The bill would also allow remote witnesses for advance directives
through June 30, 2022 and permit the Department of Health to provide
immunization registry information to the Vermont Health Information
Exchange.
S.120 An act relating to the Joint Legislative Health Care Affordability Study Committee
Sen. Cheryl Hooker, Sen. Ruth Hardy , Sen. Rebecca Balint, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Ann Cummings
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create the Joint Legislative Health Care Affordability Study Committee to explore opportunities to make health care more affordable for Vermont residents and employers.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0120/S-0120%20As%20Introduced.pdf
3/19/21
S. 123 An act relating to loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians
Sen. Cheryl Hooker , Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sen. Anthony Pollina, Sen. Kesha Ram, Sen. Joshua Terenzini
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a loan repayment assistance program for new primary care physicians that would award grants equal to one-half of the recipient’s outstanding medical school debt, paid over five years, in exchange for a minimum 10-year service obligation as a primary care physician in Vermont.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0123/S-0123%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.125 An act relating to the Child and Parent Representation Working Group
Sen. Richard McCormack , Sen. Kesha Ram
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Child and Parent Representation Working Group to report to the General Assembly with a plan to develop two distinct administrative programs to provide an interdisciplinary approach to effective legal representation for both children and parents involved in the child protection system.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0125/S-0125%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.127 An act relating to a pilot project for a Department of Corrections report to assist the court setting conditions of probation
Sen. Richard Sears
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a pilot project requiring the Department of Corrections to provide the court with a report prior to sentencing to assist the court in setting conditions of probation in felony cases.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0127/S-0127%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Senate Bills
S.132 An act relating to health care reform implementation
Sen. Virginia Lyons
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to consolidate responsibility for health care innovation under the Director of Health Care Reform in the Agency of Human Services and to add new criteria to the certification requirements for accountable care organizations. It would require accountable care organizations to collect, analyze, and report quality data to the Green Mountain Care Board to enable the Board to determine value-based payment amounts and the appropriate distribution of shared savings among the accountable care organization’s participating health care providers. It would also require accountable care organizations to provide the Office of the Auditor of Accounts with access to their records to enable the Auditor to audit their financial statements, receipt and use of federal and State monies, and performance. The bill would require the Green Mountain Care Board to review and approve proposed health care contracts and fee schedules between health plans and health care providers and would place certain conditions on the health care contracting process. It would seek to increase transparency in the purchase and lease of items of durable medical equipment and would take an incremental approach to requiring health insurance coverage for hearing aids. The bill would also require submission of reports to the General Assembly on health insurers’ administrative expenses, inclusion of specialty care in the All-Payer ACO Model, accountable care organizations’ care coordination efforts, and the likely impacts of requiring health insurance plans to offer at least two primary care visits per year without cost-sharing.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0132/S-0132%20As%20Introduced.pdf
S.133 An act relating to authorizing the Probate Division to reopen guardianship proceedings to correct or remedy manifest injustice
Sen. Cheryl Hooker
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize the Probate Division to reopen a guardianship proceeding to correct or remedy a manifest injustice.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0133/S-0133%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Bills 4/23/21
House Bills:
H 450 An act relating to stipends for the care of guide, signal, and service animals
Rep. Carol Ode , Rep. Robert Hooper, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide monthly stipends to eligible individuals who use a guide, signal, or service animal to assist with the individual’s disability-related needs. An eligible individual shall use the stipend to offset the costs of food, grooming, and health care, or any combination thereof, for the animal.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/H.450
Bills 4/30/21
House Bills:
H 452 An act relating to prohibiting the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports
Rep. Vicki Strong , Rep. Lynn Batchelor, Rep. Mark Higley, Rep. Robert LaClair
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the use of COVID-19 passports, which require individuals to disclose their vaccination status, by businesses and to attend public events.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/H-0452/H-0452%20As%20Introduced.pdf
Senate Bills
S.135 An act relating to separating the individual and small group health insurance markets for plan year 2022
Senate Committee on Finance
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require health insurers offering health benefit plans through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange to offer separate plans to the individual and small group markets for plan year 2022 and to apply community rating separately to the plans in each market.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2022/Docs/BILLS/S-0135/S-0135%20As%20Introduced.pdf
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