This bill requires health insurance plans in Vermont to cover biomarker testing when the test has clinical utility, meaning it helps guide treatment decisions for a patient's condition. It directly affects health insurers, Medicaid programs, and patients who need testing to diagnose, treat, or monitor diseases. The law specifies that coverage applies when tests are supported by FDA approvals, Medicare coverage decisions, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines, and it aims to minimize disruptions in care by reducing the need for multiple biopsies. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2025, for plans issued on or after that date, with full implementation no later than January 1, 2026.
This bill requires retail establishments in Vermont to allow customers with inflammatory bowel disease to use employee restrooms when public restrooms are not immediately accessible. The law applies to businesses open to the public and defines eligible conditions to include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other conditions requiring immediate restroom access. To qualify for access, customers must use an ostomy device or show written proof from a healthcare provider, and the business must have at least two employees present while the restroom is not in a public area or a safety-risk location. Businesses that comply are protected from liability, while those that refuse access face civil penalties of up to $100 for the first violation and $500 for subsequent ones. The Department of Health will create a printable card for patients to carry as proof of their condition.
This bill prohibits insurance companies in Vermont from discriminating against homeowners based solely on owning specific dog breeds or mixed breeds. It makes such discrimination an unfair practice under state insurance law, preventing insurers from using breed alone to deny coverage, cancel policies, or charge higher rates. The law allows insurers to still refuse coverage or increase rates if a specific dog has a documented history of causing significant property damage or serious bodily injury, provided the decision is based on sound underwriting principles. The policy applies to all homeowners' insurance policies offered, issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2024, and takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill proposes to remove the word "tumultuous" from Vermont's disorderly conduct laws, which would change how certain public behavior is classified and prosecuted. The amendment directly affects individuals charged with disorderly conduct or aggravated disorderly conduct by altering the specific language used to define prohibited actions. Under the current statute, engaging in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior is one of several actions that can lead to charges, but this change would eliminate "tumultuous" as a standalone descriptor while keeping "violent" and "threatening" behavior as offenses. The penalties for conviction remain unchanged, with first-time offenders facing up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine, and repeat offenders facing up to 120 days or a $1,000 fine. The law would take effect on July 1, 2024, if passed by the General Assembly.
This bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to pass local ordinances banning firearms inside municipal buildings. It allows towns, cities, and villages to prohibit firearm possession in government facilities while exempting law enforcement and security personnel. The law does not restrict firearm discharge at existing sport shooting ranges or prohibit firearm possession in other parts of the municipality. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill would require Vermont courts to consider information about how a crime affects the defendant's family, neighbors, employers, and the broader community when determining a sentence. It allows the state to present evidence of this community impact during sentencing hearings. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.
This bill prohibits individuals from knowingly bringing firearms to designated polling places and requires owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within 72 hours. The first provision allows law enforcement officers and government employees performing official duties to carry firearms at polling places while imposing criminal penalties of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for violations. The second provision establishes a civil penalty of up to $250 for failing to report lost or stolen firearms and assigns jurisdiction over these violations to the Judicial Bureau. These changes directly affect voters, firearm owners, law enforcement personnel, and government employees who interact with polling places or possess firearms.
This bill requires Vermont courts to award reasonable costs and attorney fees to defendants when a civil lawsuit is dismissed for failing to state a valid claim or when judgment is granted on the pleadings. It directly affects individuals and businesses filing civil lawsuits in the Superior Court's Civil Division by shifting the financial burden to plaintiffs who file cases without legal or factual support. The key provision adds a new section to Vermont law mandating that court orders include fee awards in these specific dismissal scenarios, aiming to reduce frivolous litigation and improve court efficiency. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to cases dismissed under specific civil procedure rules.
This bill expands Vermont's unlawful trespass laws to include entering another person's vehicle without permission or legal authority. It establishes a new criminal offense for unauthorized vehicle entry, punishable by a fine of up to $500 for first offenses, with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to $500 for repeat offenders. The legislation also increases penalties for subsequent trespassing in buildings from a maximum of one year to three years imprisonment or a $2,000 fine. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and includes protections for law enforcement officers serving legal process.
This bill directs Vermont's Commissioner of Financial Regulation to study the state's homeowners insurance market, specifically examining how weather events like flooding have impacted insurance rates and availability. The legislation requires the commissioner to assess whether these conditions have created a limited or non-existent voluntary market for homeowners across the state. If the study finds such market failures, the bill would authorize the creation of a joint underwriting association to help protect homeowners from potential insurance shortages. This measure focuses on data collection and market analysis rather than mandating specific insurance changes at this stage.
This bill modifies Vermont's rules for getting a driver's license back after a DUI conviction, aiming to reduce financial hurdles and streamline the process. It requires completion of the Impaired Driving Rehabilitation Program specifically for DUI offenses and allows drivers to finish this program before their license is reinstated. The legislation also encourages greater use of ignition interlock devices and participation in the Total Abstinence Program as part of the reinstatement requirements. These changes directly affect drivers in Vermont who have been convicted of driving under the influence and need to restore their driving privileges.
This bill proposes to align the criminal penalties for general burglary with those for burglary committed in an occupied dwelling. It directly affects individuals charged with entering buildings or structures without permission with the intent to commit a crime. The key provision increases the maximum prison sentence for standard burglary from 15 years to 25 years, matching the current penalty for breaking into a residence. The bill also clarifies that a building is considered "occupied" if it is used as a residence, regardless of whether someone is actually present at the time of entry. Courts will be required to consider whether someone was actually present or if force was used as an aggravating factor during sentencing.
