This bill creates a new Community Care, Health, and Safety Fund to provide grants for community-based services that reduce harm from drug use and support people with substance use disorders. It eliminates misdemeanor criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing a personal use supply of regulated drugs, requiring instead that individuals be offered information about available services and access to needs assessments. The legislation designates 40 percent of cannabis excise tax revenue and a portion of opioid abatement funds to finance these services, while establishing an advisory board to determine what constitutes a benchmark personal use supply. The bill also authorizes monetary incentives for participation in needs assessments and aims to shift resources from prosecution toward prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies.
This bill proposes to create a single, unified process for sealing criminal history records in Vermont, replacing the current system where records could be either expunged (destroyed) or sealed. It directly affects individuals with criminal records and the agencies that maintain those records, such as the Vermont Crime Information Center. Under the new system, sealed records would not be destroyed but would be hidden from general public access while allowing specific entities to view them for particular purposes. The bill also removes the requirement for requesters to provide a date of birth when searching criminal records and mandates that the crime information center include a disclaimer warning that name-only searches may return multiple individuals and that requesters are responsible for verifying information.
This bill amends Vermont's zoning laws to clarify that group homes must not segregate their residents from the surrounding community. It requires group homes to actively integrate residents through educational, work, or other community opportunities. The change applies to group homes seeking to qualify under existing state statutes and aims to ensure they remain integrated within their neighborhoods.
This bill would remove criminal penalties for prostitution activities tied to specific locations, such as operating or using a building or vehicle for prostitution, while keeping laws against engaging in, soliciting, or aiding prostitution. The changes would affect individuals who currently face charges for using or controlling spaces for prostitution by eliminating those location-based offenses. Penalties for remaining prostitution-related crimes would stay the same, with fines up to $100 and potential jail time of up to one year for first offenses and up to three years for repeat offenses. The legislation would take effect immediately upon passage.
This bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to impose civil penalties on owners of commercial buildings that remain vacant for 180 consecutive days. The legislation allows local building inspectors or authorized officers to assess fines after providing notice to property owners, with penalties calculated for each 180-day period of vacancy. The measure applies to towns, cities, and incorporated villages and takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill modifies Vermont's judicial nomination process by requiring the Judicial Nominating Board to include members from diverse backgrounds and making candidate interviews and Senate confirmation hearings public. It changes how board members are selected to ensure representation from communities of color and other historically disadvantaged groups while maintaining bipartisan representation from the legislature and legal community. The legislation also raises experience requirements for judicial candidates, mandating at least ten years of Vermont legal practice for Supreme Court and Superior Court positions, and establishes new transparency rules for the Board's operations. These changes directly affect how judges and Public Utility Commission members are nominated and confirmed, aiming to increase diversity and public oversight in the selection process.
This Vermont bill prohibits the sale and distribution of flushable wipes statewide starting January 1, 2025. The law defines flushable wipes as disposable cleaning products labeled as flushable, sewer safe, or septic safe, and bans their sale by any person or business. Violations carry a fine of up to $2,500 for a single offense, with additional daily fines of up to $100 for continuing violations after notification. The measure directly affects retailers, distributors, and consumers who currently purchase wipes marketed for toilet disposal.
This bill establishes an extended producer responsibility program in Vermont to manage the collection and recycling of waste motor vehicle tires, primarily affecting tire manufacturers and retailers. The legislation requires manufacturers to either implement an approved waste tire stewardship plan or participate in a registered stewardship organization before they can sell tires in the state starting January 1, 2026. Manufacturers must register with the Agency of Natural Resources by July 1, 2025, and pay associated fees to comply with the program. The bill also defines specific terms such as waste tire, motor vehicle, and legacy waste tire piles to clarify the scope of the new regulations.
This bill would allow prosecutors to charge individuals with murder or manslaughter if their actions result in the death of a fetus, while also permitting such charges in cases of drunk driving or grossly negligent driving that cause fetal death. The legislation specifically excludes abortions and routine medical procedures from these provisions, and clarifies that the law does not change the legal status or rights of a fetus. It would apply the same penalties for fetal deaths as for adult deaths in homicide and vehicle-related cases, including enhanced sentences for repeat offenders. The bill was introduced by Senators Williams and Starr and referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.
This bill directs Vermont's Agency of Human Services to request federal approval to allow people up to age 40 to purchase catastrophic health plans, which are currently limited to those under 30. The legislation aims to address rising health insurance costs and higher uninsured rates among young adults by providing access to lower-premium insurance options. If approved, the waiver would take effect on January 1, 2025, allowing eligible Vermonters to enroll in these plans during open enrollment periods. The bill does not change existing insurance laws but seeks to modify eligibility criteria for a specific type of coverage under federal guidelines.
This bill creates a temporary Study Committee on Dam Emergency Action Planning to examine how Vermont can improve regional emergency planning for dam failures. The committee would include representatives from the legislature, state agencies, regional planning commissions, and dam owners to review current responsibilities and funding for emergency preparedness. Its main tasks involve identifying high-hazard dams, recommending who should develop regional emergency action plans, and estimating the costs for creating and implementing these plans. The committee must submit its findings and legislative recommendations by December 15, 2023, and will dissolve on March 1, 2024.
This bill creates a new Division of Animal Welfare within Vermont's Department of Public Safety to centralize and improve enforcement of state animal welfare laws. It establishes a Director position with specific qualifications to oversee investigations, develop standardized procedures for handling cruelty complaints, and coordinate care for seized animals. The legislation also creates an Animal Welfare Advisory Council with 15 appointed members representing various stakeholders including shelters, veterinarians, law enforcement, and the public. Additionally, the bill sets standards for animal shelters and rescue organizations and addresses requirements for importing and transporting animals into the state.
