This bill (S.53) expands Vermont Medicaid coverage to include community-based perinatal doula services. It requires the Department of Vermont Health Access to seek federal approval for this coverage by July 1, 2026, with coverage becoming effective on that date or after federal approval, whichever comes later (per 33 V.S.A. § 1901n). The law directly affects Vermont Medicaid recipients seeking perinatal doula care and the doulas providing these services. The policy change mandates Medicaid reimbursement for doula services following the state’s federal approval process.
This bill allows Vermont schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) for emergency use. It authorizes trained school staff, not just nurses, to administer the medication during severe allergic reactions - regardless of whether the individual has a personal prescription - following established protocols. Schools must develop written allergy management plans with parents, train staff on recognizing and responding to reactions, and adopt policies for allergen prevention and emergency procedures. The law provides legal immunity for staff administering epinephrine in good faith, and it takes effect July 1, 2025.
S 63 requires Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board to establish annual budgets for general hospitals by September 15 and psychiatric hospitals (excluding state-run facilities) by December 15, with written decisions following. Hospitals must operate within these budgets, and violations can result in fines up to $100,000 or 0.1% of annual revenue for ongoing noncompliance. The Board may issue emergency orders without prior notice during immediate financial threats to hospitals or public safety, with hospitals entitled to a hearing within 30 days. This directly affects all Vermont hospitals under the Board's oversight.
This Vermont bill (H 266) strengthens protections for hospitals and pharmacies participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program. It prohibits drug manufacturers from discriminating against 340B-covered entities or their contract pharmacies (e.g., by restricting access to discounted drugs or demanding excessive data), and requires manufacturers to offer 340B discounts at the time of purchase instead of deferred rebates. The bill also mandates annual reporting by participating hospitals on 340B drug costs, payments received, and how revenue supports community care programs. These provisions apply to Vermont hospitals using the federal 340B program and their contracted pharmacies, effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 11, 2025.
This bill amends Vermont's cannabis laws with key updates to licensing, product definitions, and business requirements. It redefines "hemp products" to exclude substances exceeding 0.3% THC and clarifies that such products are treated as cannabis. The bill requires background checks for cannabis business license applicants and establishes detailed operating rules for businesses, including security, traceability, and advertising standards. These changes directly affect cannabis businesses, hemp product manufacturers, and license holders under Vermont's regulatory framework.
This bill amends Vermont's Open Meeting Law to require all State nonadvisory public bodies (like state agencies and boards) to hold meetings in a "hybrid" format, combining in-person and online access. It mandates that these bodies electronically record all meetings, retain the recordings for 30 days, and make them publicly accessible online. The bill also requires posting meeting details and agendas in physical public locations (like town offices) and specifies that executive sessions - where the public is excluded - can only occur for limited reasons (e.g., security risks or confidential financial matters) and with strict voting rules. These changes apply exclusively to State-level nonadvisory bodies, not local governments or advisory groups.
H 106 requires sellers to disclose specific flood risk information to buyers before real estate transactions involving properties in FEMA-mapped flood hazard areas. Sellers must provide details about the property's flood zone classification, access to the official flood map, past flood damage, and flood insurance requirements. Buyers can cancel the contract or seek damages if sellers fail to disclose this information. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all property sales in designated flood zones within Vermont.
This bill, S 122, allocates state funds to support Vermont's economic development initiatives. It provides $200,000 to the Vermont Professionals of Color Network for business services targeting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color small business owners, and $150,000 to the Vermont Small Business Development Center for ongoing advisory services. The bill also creates a Task Force to study building a convention center and performance venue, requiring feasibility reports by 2025-2026, and establishes a Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral business ties between Vermont and Ireland. These provisions directly affect small business owners, economic development agencies, and state committees managing trade and venue planning.
S.123 updates Vermont motor vehicle laws with four key changes. It expands "pleasure car" definitions to include plug-in electric vehicles (Sec. 1), adds a "veteran" designation to enhanced licenses requiring DD-214 proof (Sec. 2), and requires anatomical gift documentation on non-driver ID cards (Sec. 3). The bill also modifies disability placard rules, allowing free placards for blind/ambulatory disability holders and creating "volunteer driver" placards for nonprofits transporting disabled individuals (Sec. 4). These changes affect vehicle owners, veterans, organ donors, and disability service providers, effective as of the governor’s June 12, 2025 signature.
This Vermont bill (S 126) reforms how healthcare is paid for and delivered by establishing reference-based pricing as the primary payment method by 2027. It directly affects hospitals, doctors, insurers, and patients by setting maximum payment rates based on Medicare benchmarks, aiming to control costs while ensuring providers remain financially stable. Key mechanisms include requiring the Board to implement payment models like bundled payments, global budgets, and reference-based pricing to reduce cost-shifting and improve care coordination. The law also mandates standardized metrics to track progress on goals like reducing healthcare disparities, expanding primary care access, and supporting healthcare workforce retention. These changes apply statewide to all commercial health insurance and provider reimbursement systems.
S.127 creates Vermont's Rental Housing Improvement Program to fund rental housing development and rehabilitation. It provides grants and forgivable loans to landlords, with funding limits of $70,000 per accessible unit or $50,000 per standard unit. Landlords must lease units to specific groups (e.g., people exiting homelessness, immigrants, individuals with disabilities) and adhere to HUD fair market rent limits for 5-10 years to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program also establishes a revolving fund for repaid loans and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.
This bill (S.12) creates a new process for Vermont residents to have certain criminal records sealed from public view. It allows sealing of most misdemeanor offenses and specific non-violent felonies (like certain drug possession or property crimes), provided the offense isn't excluded. Excluded offenses include sex crimes, domestic violence, violations of protection orders, and some drug offenses involving large quantities. Once sealed, these records are no longer accessible to most employers, landlords, or licensing boards, helping individuals with qualifying histories access housing, jobs, and education opportunities. The bill was enacted into law after receiving final approval from the governor on June 12, 2025.
