This Vermont bill regulates developers and deployers of automated decision systems (ADS) used in consequential decisions - such as hiring, housing, loan approvals, or healthcare access - to prevent algorithmic discrimination. It requires businesses to clearly inform consumers before using ADS in such decisions, explaining what data is measured, how it is used, and how it influences outcomes. The bill prohibits the use of ADS that result in discriminatory treatment based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability. These requirements apply to businesses operating in Vermont that deploy or develop ADS for decisions materially affecting residents' rights, liberties, or welfare.
Bill H.88 prohibits electric, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting home service due to unpaid bills during periods of extreme heat. It directly affects all residential customers, including renters in apartments and mobile home residents, by ensuring they can maintain essential utility access during heat events. The law requires utilities to create a reconnection process during extreme heat (defined as 92°F+ or National Weather Service alerts), allow payment plans covering up to 6% of a customer’s monthly income, and maintain records of all requests. The rule takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends existing law to permanently include heat-related disconnection protections.
S.33 allocates $450,000 for a two-year pilot program to enhance community nursing services for aging Vermonters. Existing community nurse programs can apply for funding to create health worker positions, expand home visits without limits, fill service gaps, and improve data tracking. Participating programs must report on service outcomes, gaps, and improvements by December 2027, with the pilot starting July 2025. This directly affects aging Vermonters receiving services and community nurse programs seeking to expand their reach.
H 259, "An act relating to preventing workplace violence in hospitals," mandates that hospitals establish and implement security plans to prevent workplace violence and manage aggressive behaviors. These plans must be based on a security risk assessment and developed by a team including healthcare employees and law enforcement representatives. Key provisions include requiring trained de-escalation staff, offering specific employee training on safety techniques, and establishing a workplace violence incident reporting system. The bill also prohibits retaliation against employees for reporting incidents and requires hospitals to post notices about the legal consequences of assaulting staff. Additionally, hospitals must report the costs associated with implementing these security measures.
H 120 requires Vermont's Secretary of Administration to study and design a long-term care trust fund. The study must examine funding through income-based contributions (starting July 2026 for Vermont residents with taxable income over 150% of the federal poverty level), a two-year payment requirement for benefits, and how the fund would interact with Medicaid. The Secretary must submit a report by January 15, 2026, including proposed legislation to establish the fund. This bill would directly affect Vermont residents who pay into the program and future beneficiaries of long-term care services.
H 203 would expand the eligibility for association health plans (AHPs) in Vermont, allowing more types of organizations - such as professional or trade associations - to offer these health insurance options. Currently, AHPs are limited to specific association types, but this bill would broaden that scope, potentially giving more Vermont residents access to alternative coverage. It directly affects members of qualifying associations who may gain new health insurance choices through their group. The bill is pending review by the Health Care Committee after its initial referral.
This bill, H.104, requires Vermont state public assistance programs to exclude veterans' disability benefits from income calculations when determining eligibility. It directly affects veterans applying for state benefits administered by the Departments of Children and Families, Vermont Health Access, and Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. The key provision mandates that these departments must not count veterans' disability benefits toward income thresholds for programs like food assistance, healthcare, or housing support. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, ensuring veterans’ disability payments no longer reduce their eligibility for state aid.
H.207 requires health insurers in Vermont to cover all diabetes treatments (including equipment, supplies, and self-management education) without restricting providers to those under contract with the insurer. It also prohibits cost-sharing like copays or deductibles for these covered services. The bill applies to all standard health insurance plans issued on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting Vermont residents with diabetes who have health insurance. It modifies existing law to ensure comprehensive, affordable access to diabetes care by eliminating insurer-imposed provider restrictions and cost barriers.
This bill updates Vermont's workers' compensation system by expanding wage definitions to include health insurance benefits, requiring employers to cover translation services for non-English speaking injured workers, and creating a process for requesting medical case management services. Insurers must approve or deny medical case management requests within 14 days, with injured workers able to seek Department intervention if denied. It also increases penalties for late payments, charging 5% of the benefit amount for the first late payment, escalating to 25% for fifth or subsequent late payments. The changes directly affect injured workers (especially non-English speakers), employers, and insurance carriers, aiming to improve access to care and timely compensation.
H 521 proposes to mandate that health insurance plans and the Dr. Dynasaur program provide coverage for pasteurized donated human breast milk. This coverage would be for infants under 12 months of age. The bill specifies that this coverage would apply under certain circumstances, though the full details are not included in this short-form version.
