Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 641: An act relating to requiring all hospitals to use the same independent auditor

This bill requires all Vermont hospitals to use a single independent auditor for their financial statement audits. It directly affects every hospital in Vermont by mandating they no longer choose their own auditors. The Green Mountain Care Board, in consultation with the State Auditor, will select and direct the use of this single auditor. The bill aims to standardize financial oversight across the state's hospital system.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 237: An act relating to restructuring the Parole Board

S.237 restructures Vermont's Parole Board by establishing a five-member board (one full-time chair and four members) with new staffing requirements, including a staff attorney and additional administrative support. It mandates annual training for board members on topics like criminogenic behavior and trauma-informed practices, requires the board to submit its budget directly to the Governor, and sets new parole eligibility rules: offenders must have no pending criminal charges to qualify. The bill also clarifies victims’ rights to receive notification of parole hearings, testify, and receive the board’s decision, while allowing parolees to voluntarily relinquish parole status or benefit from earned time. These changes directly affect parole board operations, incarcerated individuals seeking release, crime victims, and parolees.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 644: An act relating to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services

Vermont's H.644 prohibits mental health professionals and entities from offering, providing, or advertising mental health services delivered by artificial intelligence systems, with limited exceptions. The bill directly affects licensed mental health providers, clinics, and AI service developers operating in Vermont. It amends licensing rules to define AI misuse as unprofessional conduct and adds penalties of $10,000 per violation under the Consumer Protection Act. The law aims to prevent harm from AI systems that have been shown to give dangerous advice (e.g., encouraging self-harm or suicide) based on research cited in the bill.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✗ Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 638: An act relating to recovery residence certification

H.638 establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery residences in Vermont through the Department of Health. It defines recovery residences as peer-support living spaces for people recovering from substance use disorders and sets six standards for certification, including meeting safety/sanitation rules, having a complaint process, and maintaining certification via a Vermont-approved organization. Certified residences must annually report data to the Department (e.g., resident numbers, employment changes) and undergo inspections with 10 days' notice. The bill directly affects recovery residences operating in Vermont, requiring them to meet these standards to participate in the program.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 643: An act relating to purchase and use tax revenue

H.643 redirects all revenue from Vermont's purchase and use tax to the Transportation Fund instead of the Education Fund, phasing out the education allocation over six years. The bill gradually reduces the annual cap for education funding - from $50 million in 2026 down to $10 million in 2030 - before fully repealing it by 2031. This change directly affects state budget allocations, shifting funds from education to transportation infrastructure without altering the tax itself. The policy change takes effect annually starting July 1, 2026, with full implementation by 2031.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 226: An act relating to the creation of the Vermont Sister State Program

This bill establishes Vermont's official Sister State Program within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to foster relationships with subnational governments (like other states or regions) abroad. The program is overseen by a 10-member committee including state agency leaders, legislative members, and experts in cultural exchange, education, and arts. It creates a formal process where the committee reviews applications within 30 days, uses a scoring rubric to evaluate proposals, and recommends partnerships to the Governor. The program aims to strengthen Vermont's international ties through cultural exchange, economic development, and educational cooperation.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 629: An act relating to judgments issued by the Family Division of the Superior Court

This bill changes how money and property judgments from Vermont's Family Division (e.g., child support, alimony, or property division orders) can be enforced after the initial 8-year period. It requires renewal via a "motion to renew" filed within 8 years (or until the last payment is due), not by starting a new civil lawsuit. Payments, written debt acknowledgments, or other compliance actions by the person owing money restart the 8-year clock. All such judgments must now include a clear warning: "RENEWAL... SHALL BE INITIATED BY MOTION TO RENEW WITHIN EIGHT YEARS... OR IT SHALL BE TIME BARRED." It directly affects individuals with ongoing family court judgments seeking enforcement.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 228: An act relating to collective bargaining over remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards for State employees

This bill requires Vermont's Executive Branch to negotiate remote, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements for State employees through collective bargaining. It amends the State Employees Labor Relations Act to explicitly add "terms and conditions of remote, in-person, and hybrid work standards" as a mandatory subject for bargaining. The change directly affects all permanent and limited-status State employees, ensuring their input on work location policies. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, making work arrangement decisions subject to negotiation rather than unilateral state policy.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 628: An act relating to domestic abuse orders of protection

This bill (H.628) amends Vermont's domestic abuse protection laws to allow courts to issue orders requiring defendants under Department of Corrections supervision - convicted of specific violent crimes like domestic assault or sexual assault - to continue paying household bills they were responsible for at the time the plaintiff requested the order. It directly affects domestic abuse victims (plaintiffs) and defendants in correctional supervision who have committed certain violent offenses. The key provision adds a requirement for defendants to cover household expenses for up to three months, in addition to standard protective measures like restraining orders or housing awards. This change ensures financial stability for victims during the protection process without altering existing legal standards for abuse claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 229: An act relating to compensation and health insurance for members of the General Assembly

S.229 creates the Legislative Compensation Commission to review and recommend changes to Vermont legislators' pay, benefits, and working conditions. The commission, composed of non-legislators appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, will conduct an initial review and make biennial recommendations on compensation rates, expense reimbursements, and staffing. Crucially, the bill would make General Assembly members eligible for the state employees' health benefit plan under the same terms and cost as executive branch employees. This directly affects current and future Vermont legislators by altering their health insurance access and establishing a formal process for adjusting their compensation structure.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 9, 2026

S 231: An act relating to a family caregiver tax credit

This bill creates a Vermont family caregiver tax credit for residents who provide care to family members with long-term care needs. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a refundable credit equal to 30% of qualified care expenses, up to $2,500 annually (adjusted for inflation after 2027), for expenses like respite care, adult daycare, and lost wages. To qualify, the care recipient must be a related family member aged 14+ with a medical condition that prevents them from performing two daily activities without help, and they cannot live in a licensed care facility. The credit is reduced for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $125,000 and excludes expenses already claimed for child/dependent care. Households with eligible caregivers will also see their property tax credit eligibility expanded.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 636: An act relating to an independent monitoring board for body-worn camera footage

H 636 would create a five-member independent civilian board to oversee police body camera footage in Vermont. The board, appointed by all three branches of government, would review public requests for footage, control access to stored recordings, and redact sensitive information before releasing any material. This directly affects law enforcement agencies (which must provide footage to the board) and the public (which can request access to recordings). The bill establishes a formal process for managing bodycam data without changing how police use the cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results