This bill enacts the Uniform Trust Decanting Act in Vermont, establishing clear rules for moving assets from one trust to another. It directly affects trustees and individuals managing trusts by providing statutory guidelines for this common trust administration practice. The act creates a consistent legal framework that defines how and when trust assets can be decanted into a new trust. These provisions become effective on July 1, 2024.
This bill makes three main changes to Vermont's professional regulation and health care laws. First, it requires the Office of Professional Regulation to check criminal backgrounds for psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and nonlicensed psychotherapists applying for or renewing their credentials. Second, it officially recognizes naturopathic physicians as licensed health care professionals for birth and death certificate filing purposes and creates a temporary advisory group to study their role in end-of-life care policies. Third, it directs the Office of Professional Regulation to conduct a study on its current funding structure and report findings with recommendations by January 2025.
This bill makes administrative and policy changes to Vermont's tax laws, primarily affecting municipalities, property owners, and taxpayers. It establishes a per-parcel fee of $8.50 per year from the Education General Fund to help municipalities cover property reappraisal costs, allows municipalities to request recalculations of education tax liability when property values are reduced through appeals or settlements, and updates the state's adoption of federal income tax laws to include changes through December 31, 2023. The legislation also expands the renter credit definition to include residents of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, removes a late fee for property tax credit claims, extends the deadline for filing property tax credit claims to March 15 of the following year, and clarifies procedures for utility property valuations.
This bill makes various updates to Vermont laws governing the Department of Motor Vehicles, motor vehicles, and vessels. It expands the definition of vehicle transporters to include those selling fewer vehicles than dealers, simplifies their registration requirements, and clarifies rules for all-surface vehicles with up to eight wheels. The legislation also adjusts window tinting standards effective July 1, 2026, requiring compliance with federal regulations for pleasure cars, and provides guidance to inspection mechanics on distinguishing acceptable surface rust from rust that warrants vehicle rejection. Additionally, it addresses temporary resident vehicle registration, low-number plate eligibility for lighter trucks, and fee refund procedures for certain cancelled registrations.
This bill ends the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program, which previously provided financial incentives to businesses for creating jobs in the state. The change stops the Vermont Economic Progress Council from accepting or approving new applications for these job creation incentives starting January 1, 2027. The program's existing rules remain in place until that date, but no new businesses will be able to apply for funding after the deadline. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, allowing time for the state to transition away from the incentive program.
This bill updates Vermont's agricultural regulations by creating a new program to help farmers establish grassed waterways and filter strips near water sources, providing financial incentives for maintaining these conservation practices for ten years. It also establishes licensing requirements and fee structures for public warehouses storing farm products like milk, eggs, and meat, ensuring facilities meet sanitation and safety standards. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions and licensing rules for milk handlers and meat processors, setting specific annual fees based on business volume and type. These changes aim to improve agricultural water quality, ensure food safety compliance, and standardize licensing across various agricultural sectors in Vermont.
This bill establishes new oversight and accountability measures for pharmacy benefit managers in Vermont. It grants the Office of the Health Care Advocate access to examination reports and related documents from the state's health commissioner while protecting confidential business information from being used in private lawsuits. The legislation also requires the Department of Financial Regulation to report by January 2025 on whether pharmacies and other injured parties should be allowed to sue pharmacy benefit managers in court for violations of state regulations. These changes aim to increase transparency and provide clearer pathways for addressing regulatory violations without altering the core licensing requirements for pharmacy benefit managers.
This bill formalizes amendments to the Town of Hartford's charter that were previously approved by local voters in March and April 2024. The changes establish a new School and Town Meeting Committee to organize annual town meetings, including informational sessions and budget discussions, with members appointed by the Town Clerk, Selectboard, and School Board. The bill also modifies election procedures by setting Voting Day on the first Tuesday in March, adjusting term lengths for certain elected officials, and reassigning tax collection duties to the Town Manager. Additionally, it creates an assistant town treasurer position and clarifies quorum requirements for the Selectboard.
This bill allows individuals in Vermont to apply for professional licenses or certifications regardless of their immigration status, affecting people seeking work in regulated professions. The law requires applicants to provide a federal employer identification number, individual taxpayer identification number, or Social Security number, though a Social Security number is only mandatory if federal law or an interstate compact requires it. The legislation authorizes the state to issue licenses based on meeting professional standards without considering immigration status, effective September 1, 2024.
This bill amends Vermont's corrections laws to improve medical care standards for inmates, including requirements for physical assessments within 14 days of admission and substance use screenings within 24 hours. It mandates that facilities provide emergency first aid, maintain health care policies aligned with prevailing medical standards, and ensure continuity of prescribed medications, particularly for opioid use disorder treatment. The legislation also requires correctional facilities to provide at least a 28-day supply of necessary medications at release and assist inmates in scheduling community health appointments to support their reentry into society.
This bill establishes state regulations prohibiting the intentional addition of specific harmful chemicals to cosmetic and menstrual products, including substances like PFAS, phthalates, and formaldehyde-releasing agents. It also bans the sale of products containing lead above ten parts per million and restricts 1,4-dioxane to no more than 10 parts per million. The legislation further regulates PFAS in consumer products such as apparel, mattresses, cookware, and artificial turf fields, while allowing for trace chemical contamination that results from manufacturing processes or packaging. Manufacturers must comply with these restrictions when selling products within the state, and the Department of Health is authorized to adopt additional rules regarding formaldehyde-releasing agents if safer alternatives are available.
This bill updates civil commitment procedures for individuals with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities, allowing treatment at secure residential recovery facilities and psychiatric residential treatment facilities for youth regardless of prior hospitalization. It changes the initial commitment period from an indeterminate time to 90 days, grants victims the right to submit impact statements to courts, and adds new licensing requirements for youth psychiatric facilities including nonprofit status, medical oversight, and safety standards. The legislation also expands reporting requirements for adverse events, ensures residents receive dignity and respect protections, and clarifies court procedures for involuntary treatment placements and reviews. Additionally, it creates alternative community-based residence options for individuals with intellectual disabilities who have been found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity and require secure care.
