This bill establishes new protections for Vermont employees by granting paid voting leave, requiring good cause for termination, and safeguarding employee free speech rights. It mandates that employers provide at least two hours of paid leave on election days and Town Meeting Day for eligible voters, while also prohibiting retaliation for exercising these rights. The legislation adds a "good cause" standard for firing employees, defining it as a legitimate business reason or employment of less than 90 days, and prevents employers from discriminating against workers for exercising First Amendment rights unless it materially interferes with job performance. Additionally, the bill restricts employers from asking about job status on applications or interfering with employees' efforts to seek other employment, and designates such interference as an unfair labor practice for public sector employers.
This bill requires gas stations and convenience stores in Vermont to inform customers before placing a hold on their credit or debit card for an amount larger than the actual gasoline purchase. The law mandates that this notice must be clear and displayed near the payment area before the customer completes their transaction. It applies to both the store itself and any third parties who might place these holds on card accounts. The measure aims to improve transparency for consumers by ensuring they are aware of potential temporary holds on their funds before buying fuel.
This proposal seeks to amend the Vermont Constitution by removing the requirement that criminals be punished through hard labor. It directly affects how the state legally handles sentencing for non-capital crimes by eliminating a constitutional mandate for forced labor as punishment. The bill would repeal Section 64 of Chapter II, which currently states that convicted criminals should be employed for public benefit or to repair private injuries while allowing public observation of their work. If approved by voters in 2026, this change would update Vermont's constitutional framework to reflect modern attitudes toward incarceration and justice.
This bill requires Vermont health care facilities to develop and maintain workplace violence prevention policies that protect employees delivering health services. It mandates facilities to conduct comprehensive security evaluations by July 2025, report findings to the Department of Health by January 2026, and establish written safety policies with specific requirements by January 2027. Key provisions include creating violence prevention committees with employee input, implementing incident reporting systems, providing employee training, and conducting annual policy reviews. The Department of Health will create a model policy based on stakeholder input and federal guidelines, which facilities must meet or exceed.
This bill requires lodging establishments in Vermont to clearly disclose the total cost of accommodation in advertisements, including any resort fees or additional charges. It directly affects hotels, resorts, and other lodging businesses by mandating that advertised rates reflect the full price consumers will pay, excluding only government taxes. The law also requires written disclosure of all fees before or at check-in and prohibits businesses from charging any fees not previously advertised. Violations would be treated as unfair and deceptive acts under Vermont's consumer protection laws, enforceable by the state Attorney General. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill creates the Green Mountain Recreation Fund to support trail development and nonprofit organizations in Vermont. The fund would be financed by taking five percent of the existing tax on beer and wine sales. Money from the fund would hire three new full-time staff members to manage trail programs, provide technical assistance, and administer grants for organizational capacity and outdoor recreation projects. Additionally, the bill requires that at least 10 percent of new trails built on state land or with state funding be accessible to people with physical disabilities. The legislation also appropriates $5 million for a community grant program supporting outdoor recreation initiatives in 2024.
This bill proposes to extend health insurance financial assistance to Indigenous people in Vermont, granting them the same level of support that federally recognized tribal members currently receive. It directly affects Indigenous individuals residing in the state who may not currently qualify for the same benefits as those with federally recognized tribal status. The key provision requires state health insurance programs to calculate and provide financial aid to these individuals based on the eligibility criteria used for federally recognized tribes. This change aims to ensure equal access to health insurance subsidies for Indigenous persons regardless of their specific tribal recognition status.
This bill requires Vermont state agencies to provide language access services, such as translated materials, bilingual staff, or contracted interpreters, when they serve a significant number of people with limited English proficiency. It directly affects state agencies that interact with the public and aims to ensure these agencies can communicate effectively with non-English speakers. The law would amend existing statutes to mandate these services based on the volume of individuals needing language assistance.
This bill would repeal Vermont's current prostitution laws that criminalize consensual adult sex work while maintaining strict penalties for human trafficking. It directly affects adults who engage in sex work for hire by removing criminal charges for voluntary participation, while keeping severe felony penalties for those who recruit, transport, or coerce others into commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. The legislation clarifies that "coercion" includes threats of harm, financial abuse, withholding identification documents, drug administration to impair judgment, and debt bondage, ensuring these serious crimes remain illegal. By repealing the outdated 1900s-era prostitution statutes, the bill aims to align Vermont's laws with modern understandings of bodily autonomy while preserving protections against trafficking and exploitation.
This Vermont joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress to admit Washington, DC, as a state in the Union. The measure addresses the District's lack of full voting representation in Congress, noting that while DC residents pay federal taxes and can vote in presidential elections, they currently have no voting members in the House or Senate. The resolution supports granting DC statehood to resolve this representation issue and calls for sending the document to federal officials and committees. It does not change any laws or policies directly but serves as a formal expression of support for statehood legislation already introduced in Congress.
This bill prohibits business entities from making financial contributions to candidates, political parties, or political committees in Vermont state elections. It directly affects for-profit businesses, including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, while explicitly excluding nonprofit organizations. The law bans both the act of contributing and the solicitation of such contributions for the purpose of influencing elections or political party interests. These restrictions take effect on July 1, 2023, and are codified in Vermont's election laws.
This bill creates a permanent, full-time Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator position within the Vermont General Assembly to improve accessibility for staff, members, and the public. The coordinator would oversee reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, plan accessibility improvements to legislative buildings, and provide training on disability-related practices. The legislation appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2024 to fund the coordinator's salary and expenses for providing accommodations. This position aims to ensure the State House and other legislative facilities meet accessibility standards and that all visitors can access legislative activities.
