Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 282: An act relating to driver education for students participating in the home study program

H 282 creates a new driver education program for students in Vermont's home study programs, requiring the Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Education Secretary to approve a course for parents or guardians to teach their children. The approved course must cover alcohol/drug effects on driving, motor vehicle insurance laws, and the environmental impact of vehicle idling. Parents teaching the course must not have recent DUI convictions, six or more traffic points in three years, or certain felony convictions. The bill mandates course approval by July 1, 2025, and requires a report comparing driving records of home study students with traditional program students by November 2029.

Woody Page (R) Wayne Laroche (R) Joe Luneau (R) Gina Galfetti (R) Chris Pritchard (R)

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 261: An act relating to establishing a 32-hour workweek

This bill establishes a 32-hour workweek in Vermont by requiring employers to pay overtime (1.5x regular wage) for hours worked beyond 32 per week, replacing the current 40-hour standard. It also reduces the maximum weekly work limit for minors under 16 from 40 to 32 hours and adjusts earned sick time accrual rates to align with the new standard. Exemptions apply to certain healthcare workers (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), who would follow separate overtime rules for 8-hour workdays or 64-hour biweekly periods. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 283: An act relating to delegation of authority to regulate use of State waters

H 283 would allow adjacent Vermont municipalities to request delegation of authority from the Secretary of Natural Resources to regulate state waters, specifically to limit or ban wake boats. Municipalities must formally request this delegation, adopt local bylaws or ordinances to enforce the restrictions, and the Secretary would approve based on the public good. This directly affects towns bordering lakes or rivers where wake boat activity is a concern, enabling local control over such regulations rather than state-level management. The bill does not change existing state water use rules but provides a pathway for municipalities to address wake boat impacts through local governance.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 271: An act relating to health insurance and Medicaid coverage for physical therapy services

H 271 would change how Vermont health insurance and Medicaid cover physical therapy. It prohibits insurers and Medicaid from requiring a doctor's note or care plan to access physical therapy, and stops insurers from charging higher out-of-pocket costs for physical therapy than for primary care visits for similar conditions. The bill also mandates a 10% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for physical therapy services over two years. This directly affects Vermont residents needing physical therapy, their insurance providers, and physical therapy clinics by reducing barriers to care and improving provider payments. The bill aims to make physical therapy more accessible and affordable under Vermont's health programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 285: An act relating to making motor vehicle inspections more affordable

H 285 creates a study committee to examine ways to make motor vehicle inspections more affordable in Vermont without reducing safety. The committee, composed of state officials, industry representatives, and community advocates, will study repair costs for failed inspections, opportunities to lower repair expenses, assistance for low-income residents, and the impact of changing inspection frequency from annual to biennial. It must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 30, 2025. This bill does not change current inspection requirements but sets up a process to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 284: An act relating to requirements for older drivers to renew operator’s licenses and for the operation of motor homes

This bill requires Vermont drivers aged 70 or older to pass a vision test in person when renewing their driver's license, replacing automatic renewals for this age group. It also creates new licensing requirements for motor homes: operators of vehicles weighing 10,000-26,000 pounds must obtain a motor home endorsement (with a $4 annual fee), while heavier vehicles (26,001+ pounds) require a commercial driver's license. The bill establishes learner's permits for motor homes ($24 fee) and specifies testing rules, including a 120-day permit period with limited driving conditions. These changes directly affect older drivers and motor home operators in Vermont, focusing on safety through updated licensing procedures.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 258: An act relating to law enforcement interrogation policies

H 258 prohibits law enforcement from using deception, threats, or physical harm during custodial interrogations of individuals under 22 years old. It requires notifying and contacting a juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian before any such interrogation. The bill also mandates the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to create statewide interrogation standards, including requiring electronic recording of most custodial interrogations in detention (with limited exceptions like emergencies). These changes aim to prevent false confessions and improve community trust in law enforcement practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 277: An act relating to weatherization funding and weatherization workforce recruitment

This bill increases taxes on fossil fuels (heating oil, propane, and natural gas) to fund Vermont's Home Weatherization Assistance Program. It expands eligibility to households earning up to 80-125% of the area or state median income (whichever is higher) and requires 15% annual salary increases for weatherization workers starting in 2026. The bill also mandates partnerships with workforce programs to recruit and train new workers, while requiring utilities to provide free weatherization services to eligible low-income households. These changes aim to accelerate home energy efficiency upgrades, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and address workforce shortages in the weatherization sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 268: An act relating to consumer protections related to the towing and storage of vehicles

H 268 establishes the "Vermont Consumer Protection Towing Act" to create standardized rules for towing and vehicle storage in Vermont. The bill directly affects Vermont residents whose vehicles are towed (especially during emergencies or on private property) and all towing companies operating in the state. Key provisions require towing companies to document vehicle details and locations before towing, let vehicle owners choose their towing company when possible, and maintain records for three years. The Department of Motor Vehicles will regulate compliance and handle consumer complaints. This bill does not apply to automobile clubs, dealers, insurance companies, or abandoned vehicles.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 260: An act relating to prohibiting certain substances in food manufactured, sold, or distributed in Vermont

This bill bans four specific additives - brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3 - from all food products manufactured, sold, or distributed in Vermont starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating within Vermont. The law prohibits these substances in any edible product, including beverages, and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce compliance through civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Enforcement aligns with Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2025.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 257: An act relating to creating the Office of Entrepreneurship

H 257 creates Vermont's Office of Entrepreneurship within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to support new businesses. The office will help businesses operating under five years navigate state agencies, encourage at least 5% of state contracts to go to such businesses (including those owned by women, minorities, or veterans), and track contract awards by demographic and geographic groups. It requires annual reports starting in 2027 detailing contract data, progress toward goals, and recommendations for improving entrepreneurship access. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Veterans

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 262: An act relating to restricting electronic monitoring of employees and the use of employment-related automated decision systems

H 262 restricts Vermont employers from using electronic monitoring of employees (like tracking computer use or location) and automated decision systems (such as AI tools for hiring or promotions) without specific limitations. Employers may only use such monitoring if it serves one of seven defined purposes (e.g., safety, compliance, or performance assessment) and is the least invasive method necessary. The bill requires employers to justify monitoring based on objective evidence and prohibits using it for general surveillance or non-essential purposes. It directly affects all Vermont employers, including contractors and job applicants, by imposing new requirements on workplace monitoring practices.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✗ Technology

Bill results