Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2023

H 87: An act relating to regulating earned wage access services

This bill establishes a new regulatory framework for earned wage access services in Vermont, requiring companies that provide early access to employees' unpaid wages to register with the state's financial regulator. The law mandates that these providers offer services on a nonrecourse basis, meaning they cannot sue consumers or use debt collectors to recover funds if employees do not repay the advanced wages. Key provisions include requiring clear written disclosures about service terms and fees, prohibiting mandatory charges for accessing earned wages, and banning late fees or penalties on outstanding amounts. The bill also ensures consumers can cancel their participation at any time without fees and must receive a free option for accessing their funds.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2023

H 93: An act relating to Reach Up benefit levels

This bill requires Vermont's Commissioner for Children and Families to annually adjust the maximum financial assistance amounts for families participating in the Reach Up program. The adjustments will be based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents data. The legislation also allows housing allowances to be increased up to 120 percent of fair market rents for families that include an individual with a disability. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2023, and directly affect families receiving financial assistance through the Reach Up program.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2023

H 98: An act relating to firearms crimes and procedures

This bill introduces several measures aimed at improving firearm safety and accountability in Vermont. It requires firearms not in immediate possession to be securely stored separately from ammunition, mandates dealers to post storage guidelines and provide written safety information, and establishes criminal and civil liability for unsafe storage that leads to injury or death. The legislation also adds a 10-day waiting period for all firearm sales, allows family members to petition for emergency risk protection orders, prohibits firearm possession at licensed alcohol-serving venues, and bars individuals convicted of hate-motivated crimes from owning firearms. Additionally, the bill includes funding to help residents purchase secure storage equipment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2023

H 96: An act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through electrification, decarbonization, efficiency, and weatherization measures

This bill creates the Affordable Heat Act, which establishes a Clean Heat Standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heating in Vermont's residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The program requires energy companies and heating fuel sellers to earn tradeable clean heat credits by delivering low-carbon heating technologies, efficiency improvements, or weatherization services to customers. The Public Utility Commission will manage the credit system and ensure the program protects low-income households and minimizes costs for all energy users.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 24, 2023

S 29: An act relating to recognition and enforcement of a military protection order

This bill expands Vermont's domestic violence protection order system to include military protection orders, allowing them to be recognized and enforced within the state like other foreign protection orders. It directly affects victims of abuse by military personnel and law enforcement officers who may need to enforce these orders. The key provision amends state law to define military protection orders as those issued by commanding officers in the armed forces or National Guard against individuals under their command, provided the order was issued on a Department of Defense form, the defendant received actual notice, and the order remains in effect. Law enforcement officers will be authorized to enforce these orders through arrests and assistance with residence or child custody issues, while courts must verify that the defendant is a current service member and the order meets specific validity requirements before enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 24, 2023

S 31: An act relating to the open carry of loaded firearms in public places and the use of force in defense of self and others

This bill prohibits the open carry of loaded firearms in public places, with exceptions for hunters, law enforcement, government employees, and situations involving imminent harm. It also restricts self-defense claims by requiring that defensive force used outside a person's home be necessary when no other means of avoiding the threat were available. Additionally, the bill mandates that firearms surrendered under abuse prevention orders must be stored by law enforcement agencies or federally licensed firearms dealers approved by the Department of Public Safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 20, 2023

S 26: An act relating to removing the residency requirement from Vermont's patient choice at end of life laws

This bill would remove the requirement that patients must be Vermont residents to access the state's patient choice at end of life laws. It directly affects terminally ill individuals who are not residents but wish to use Vermont's medical assistance for hastening death. The key change modifies state statutes to eliminate the residency condition while keeping all other requirements intact, such as the patient being 18 or older, suffering from a terminal condition, making an informed voluntary decision, and receiving care from a physician. The bill also maintains physician protections from civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability when following the established procedures for prescribing self-administered medication.

Topics ✓ Healthcare