Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 862: An act relating to interior sound control in certain public buildings

This bill requires Vermont's Division of Fire Safety to update building codes by July 2027 to set minimum sound control standards for nonresidential spaces in public buildings (like schools, libraries, or community centers). It mandates that ceilings in these spaces must cover at least 50% of visible area with sound-absorbing materials rated to reduce echoes (minimum 0.75 noise reduction coefficient), and may include additional rules for walls and floors. The requirements exclude dwelling units (like apartments) and utility rooms. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, with full implementation by July 2027.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 857: An act relating to alcoholic beverage retail displays and a legal analysis of state regulation of cannabis advertising

H.857 prohibits alcohol retailers from displaying alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages together in the same retail space, directly affecting businesses holding alcohol retail licenses. It also allocates funds to the Cannabis Control Board to commission an independent legal analysis of Vermont’s current cannabis advertising regulations. The bill does not change advertising rules but seeks to evaluate the existing legal framework for cannabis advertising. This focuses on clarifying regulatory alignment with health policies rather than implementing new restrictions.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 859: An act relating to psychedelic therapy and clinical drug development trials

H 859 establishes a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Board to review research on psychedelic therapy's benefits for mental health and substance use disorders, and to recommend state programs allowing therapeutic use of psychedelics. The bill requires Vermont's Department of Health to contract with a Vermont entity to conduct clinical drug development trials specifically for ibogaine - a treatment being studied for substance use disorders and trauma. The Advisory Board will assess public health impacts, monitor other states' programs, and propose pilot projects for psychedelic-assisted therapy in end-of-life care or for mental health conditions. This directly affects Vermont's healthcare system, mental health providers, and individuals seeking treatment for conditions resistant to current therapies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 854: An act relating to legislative pay

H.854 modifies Vermont legislators' pay based on when the regular legislative session ends. It ensures members receive full salary if the session concludes before the first Friday in May. If the session extends beyond that date, members get only expense reimbursement for up to three weeks past May 1, and no pay or reimbursement for longer sessions. This directly affects all Vermont General Assembly members by tying their compensation to session timing rather than calendar dates. The bill amends existing pay statutes to create this incentive structure.

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 860: An act relating to establishing the Justice and Recovery Hub and Spoke System Working Group

H 860 creates a working group to develop a proposal for a "Justice and Recovery Hub" on state land near Burlington's Costello Courthouse and Department of Labor, plus identify additional "spoke" sites along public transit corridors. The group, composed of state agency directors and regional planning representatives, will design a hub including a 200-bed residential facility for people recently released from incarceration, recovery housing for youth (prioritizing those with Department for Children and Families history), and nonresidential components like firehouse space and business storefronts. It will also identify sites for "spoke" locations offering similar services in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Washington Counties. The group must submit a report with recommendations by January 2027 and is allocated $200,000 for stakeholder engagement and expert support. This bill establishes a process for planning, not direct funding or construction.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 856: An act relating to possessing regulated drugs and establishing the Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board

H.856 establishes Vermont's Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board to determine "benchmark personal use supply" amounts for regulated drugs, aiming to reduce criminal penalties for small-scale possession. The bill lowers penalties for low-level drug possession: reducing misdemeanor charges to a maximum $500 fine or six months in jail, and reclassifying some felony-level offenses as misdemeanors. The Advisory Board, composed of 13 members including people with lived drug use experience and harm reduction experts, must recommend these benchmarks by January 2027. These changes directly affect individuals possessing small, personal-use amounts of drugs like cocaine or LSD under specified thresholds.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 850: An act relating to immigration enforcement

Vermont's H.850 requires federal immigration authorities (like ICE) to obtain a judicial warrant naming a specific person before entering nonpublic areas of schools, hospitals, public libraries, or childcare centers. It prohibits employees of these sensitive locations from granting access without such a warrant, directing supervisors to review warrants before allowing entry. The bill also restricts the Department of Corrections from assisting federal immigration authorities beyond what federal law permits, effectively terminating existing cooperation agreements. This policy change directly affects Vermont's schools, healthcare facilities, libraries, childcare centers, and the state's corrections system regarding federal immigration interactions.

Topics ✓ Immigration

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 848: An act relating to limiting facility fees for certain outpatient services and telehealth

This bill prohibits Vermont hospitals and hospital networks from charging facility fees for certain outpatient services (like routine check-ups using standard medical codes) and telehealth appointments. It requires hospitals to provide patients with written notice of any applicable facility fees before services are delivered. The law specifically targets fees separate from professional medical charges, aiming to reduce unexpected costs for patients. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 853: An act relating to expanded use of contingency management therapy and neurofeedback in Vermont’s health care and criminal justice systems

H.853 proposes expanding access to contingency management therapy (a behavioral treatment) and neurofeedback (a brain-training technique) within Vermont's health care and criminal justice systems. The bill would appropriate funds for existing programs using these methods, require studies on broader implementation, and create new pilot programs specifically for justice-involved individuals. This directly affects Vermont's health care providers, criminal justice agencies, and people involved with the justice system seeking recovery support.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 852: An act relating to developing a blue zone blueprint

H 852 requires Vermont's Agency of Human Services and stakeholders to develop a "blue zone blueprint" after completing a public engagement campaign. The campaign must include education, media outreach, and community input to establish a shared statewide definition of "blue zone" and assess existing community resources, needs, and service gaps. This blueprint will identify opportunities for Vermont communities to pursue "blue zone" status, which typically emphasizes longevity and healthy lifestyles. The bill focuses on a collaborative planning process rather than immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 866: An act relating to bail and conditions of pretrial release

This bill (H.866) changes Vermont's pretrial release rules by removing current bail limits and expanding mandatory detention requirements. It eliminates the $200 bail cap for certain misdemeanors eligible for sealing, requires courts to hold without bail or set mandatory minimum bail for defendants with multiple missed court appearances, prior convictions (including 3+ misdemeanors in 3 years), or pending charges while on release for other cases. Courts must provide written justification if not holding someone without bail, and law enforcement officers' detention recommendations must be followed in specified situations. The bill directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor or felony charges, particularly those with prior offenses or failure to appear.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 868: An act relating to prohibiting the use of ultra-processed foods in school food programs

This bill (H.868) would require Vermont public schools to phase out ultra-processed foods - like packaged snacks, pre-made meals, and sugary drinks - from school meals and replace them with foods made from scratch using whole, fresh ingredients. It directly affects all Vermont public school food programs, including cafeterias serving students. The key mechanism is establishing new guidelines to gradually eliminate ultra-processed items while increasing the use of unprocessed or minimally processed foods. The bill aims to improve student nutrition by prioritizing fresh, whole foods over highly processed options in school meals.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare