This bill (H 657) enables unaccompanied homeless youth aged 16+ to access key services without parental consent. It creates a certification process where youth verified as homeless by school liaisons, shelter directors, or homeless service providers receive a standardized form from the Department for Children and Families. This certification allows youth to obtain medical/dental care, mental health services, driver’s licenses, housing, school enrollment, banking services, and vital records - without needing parental permission. The bill clarifies that parental consent is not required if parents forced the youth out, neglected them, or refused support, with the Department acting in place of a guardian.
This bill requires Vermont school counselors to spend at least 80% of their time providing direct or indirect student services, such as academic/career counseling or social-emotional support, rather than administrative or non-counseling tasks. It directly affects all licensed or master’s-degree-holding school counselors in Vermont public schools, as defined by the bill. The law mandates that counselors dedicate no more than 20% of their time to "school support services" like substitute teaching or coordinating special education plans, which the bill cites as common distractions. This aligns with the American School Counselors Association’s recommendation to prioritize student-facing work, based on findings that 39% of counselors reported being overwhelmed by inappropriate duties. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.
H.705 would require Vermont public schools to adopt policies protecting students' right to practice or not practice any religion on school grounds, based on a model policy developed by the Agency of Education. The law prohibits school-sponsored religious activities and ensures students cannot be forced to participate in religious exercises. It creates a private right of action, allowing students or families to sue if schools violate these protections. The bill aims to align school policies with established Supreme Court rulings on church-state separation in education.
S.221, the "Civics Strengthens Democracy Act," requires all Vermont public school districts to provide civics education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill defines civics as nonpartisan education covering civic knowledge (history, institutions), skills (critical analysis, communication), dispositions (inclusion, civil discourse), and behaviors (voting, community engagement). Key provisions include allowing project-based student assessments, creating recognition for exemplary students/schools (via a "civic seal"), and establishing a dedicated Civics Education Special Fund for funding. This bill directly affects Vermont's K-12 public schools and students by mandating comprehensive civic learning aligned with specific evidence-based teaching methods.
This bill extends Vermont's Parental and Family Leave Act coverage to include full-time teachers in elementary, secondary schools, and higher education institutions. It amends the definition of "employee" under the law to explicitly include these teachers, aligning with federal regulations (29 C.F.R. § 825.102) that already cover them. The change ensures these educators qualify for leave benefits previously available to other covered employees. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.
H 818 establishes a voluntary mental health screening program for Vermont public school students, administered by school supervisory unions in collaboration with the Agency of Education and Department of Mental Health. The bill requires schools to obtain parental consent before screening students for age-appropriate mental health conditions, provide results to parents, and refer students needing support to resources. Funding of $10,000 is initially appropriated for the program, with 90% distributed based on student enrollment and 10% allocated as needed for additional support. Schools must comply with FERPA privacy rules and provide annual reports on participation and outcomes to the legislature. This affects all Vermont public school students and their families through school-based screening options.
This bill creates a process for Vermont's Governor to maintain an annual list of scholarship organizations eligible for a federal tax credit. It directly affects Vermont taxpayers who donate to qualifying organizations and the scholarship organizations themselves. To be listed, organizations must be nonprofits focused on underprivileged students, provide scholarships only to students at public or eligible private schools, and meet federal criteria. The Governor must submit the list to the U.S. Treasury by December 1 each year, with a presumption that previously listed organizations remain eligible unless the Governor finds noncompliance. This enables Vermont taxpayers to claim the federal qualified education scholarship tax credit (26 U.S.C. § 25F) for donations to these organizations.
This bill (S.292) would amend Vermont law to grant public higher education employees statewide the right to strike, which they currently do not have under state labor law. It directly affects employees at all public colleges and universities in Vermont (including Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont, which are currently exempt from the strike ban). The key mechanism is amending two sections of law: removing the prohibition on strikes for these employees in §903 and revising §962 to clarify that striking is not an unfair labor practice for them. The change would take effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill requires Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation to establish a licensing system for early childhood educators working in child care programs regulated by the Child Development Division. It directly affects educators providing care and instruction to children from birth through age 8, creating three license levels (I, II, and III) based on education and experience. The bill establishes a nine-member Vermont Board of Early Childhood Educators to develop licensing rules, handle applications, and manage complaints. Key provisions include mandatory licensure for these educators, defined practice standards (like creating safe learning environments and family engagement), and a board appointment process ensuring diverse representation.
S.227 requires all Vermont public and approved independent schools to adopt policies preventing the sharing of student information with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant. It prohibits schools from collecting immigration status data, designating such information as "directory information" under federal privacy law, or sharing student records with immigration agencies except as legally required. The bill mandates schools to provide immigration resources to staff and students, designate staff as immigration resource officers, and block federal agents from entering nonpublic school areas (like classrooms or cafeterias) without a warrant naming a specific individual. Schools are also barred from entering agreements that aid federal immigration enforcement, with the superintendent as the sole authority to approve any required federal agreements.
