Healthcare (Mental Health)

passed both · Vermont · House May 8, 2026

HCR 293: House concurrent resolution recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont

This bill officially recognizes May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month within the state of Vermont. It aims to raise public awareness about mental wellness and reduce stigma by directing the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to key local mental health organizations. The measure does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the importance of mental health in the community.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness and reduce stigma, aligning with supporting mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes advisory board and clinical trials for psychedelic therapy to treat mental health/substance use disorders, expanding treatment options and supporting mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 17, 2026

H 903: An act relating to information collected by providers during first and second certification

H 903 requires Vermont healthcare providers (physicians and psychiatrists) issuing mental health certification certificates under 18 V.S.A. §§ 7504 and 7508 to consider behavioral information from sources like family, caregivers, school staff, or law enforcement about the patient’s days/weeks prior to evaluation. It prohibits providers from relying solely on a patient’s immediate clinical presentation to determine if they meet the legal standard for "person in need of treatment." Instead, providers must also document additional risk information not visible during the exam, such as patterns of behavior observed outside a clinical setting. This bill directly affects mental health professionals making involuntary treatment certification decisions in Vermont.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to consider broader behavioral context (not just immediate symptoms) for mental health certifications, preventing hasty decisions and protecting patient rights in mental health evaluations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 535: An act relating to establishing a competency restoration program

This bill establishes a competency restoration program within Vermont's Department of Mental Health. It directly affects individuals charged with certain felonies who have been found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial due to a mental illness. The program provides structured treatment and support to help these individuals regain the mental capacity needed to participate in their legal proceedings. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health to operate this program as a formal state service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes competency restoration program for mentally ill defendants, promoting rehabilitation within criminal justice system per reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health program for competency restoration, directly supporting mental health services as defined in topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 764: An act relating to inpatient psychiatric bed capacity

This bill removes the requirement for special approval when hospitals build or renovate psychiatric units, streamlining the process for expanding mental health services. It creates a Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity Working Group - comprising mental health officials, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals - to study bed shortages, identify barriers to expansion, and recommend a 25% increase in statewide inpatient psychiatric beds by July 2028. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 2027, with the policy changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to expand psychiatric services, the state mental health system, and patients requiring inpatient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves approval barriers for psychiatric unit expansion and mandates 25% bed increase by 2028 via working group, directly advancing mental health service access and capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 195: An act relating to judicial proceedings for involuntary treatment

This Vermont bill (S 195) requires the Office of Defender General to provide legal representation for individuals involved in criminal cases who are subject to mental health commitment proceedings (e.g., those found incompetent to stand trial or acquitted due to insanity). It also gives courts authority to review and modify orders for treatment outside hospitals (nonhospitalization) if the treatment isn't working or the person isn't complying, potentially switching to hospitalization. The law applies directly to criminal defendants in mental health cases and changes how courts handle treatment plans for up to 90 days. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires legal representation for defendants in mental health commitment proceedings within criminal cases, protecting civil rights and ensuring proper treatment oversight per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires legal representation in mental health commitment cases and allows courts to review/modify treatment plans, strengthening oversight of mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 184: An act relating to community justice centers

S 184 creates a Community Justice Center Working Group to identify available support services for pretrial diversion and transitional needs, including behavioral health services, across Vermont's community justice centers. The group, composed of representatives from community justice centers, courts, mental health, health, corrections, and the Attorney General's office, will assess service gaps and develop mechanisms to share this information with courts and stakeholders. The Working Group must submit findings and recommendations to the Vermont General Assembly by December 1, 2026. This bill does not make direct policy changes but establishes a process to improve service coordination for individuals navigating the justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Working Group to assess gaps in pretrial diversion and behavioral health services, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through improved service coordination.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes behavioral health services in its scope and mandates a Working Group to identify gaps and develop mechanisms to share these services with courts, advancing mental health access within justice centers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2026

H 823: An act relating to social media warning labels

H.823 requires social media platforms operating in Vermont to display mental health warning labels each time a user accesses the platform. These labels must warn users about potential mental health risks from social media use, provide crisis resource information (including the 988 hotline), and remain visible until the user exits or acknowledges the warning. The bill also mandates pop-up notifications every 30 minutes (customizable up to 60 minutes) showing cumulative daily usage time. The Attorney General must develop guidelines by April 2027, with the law taking full effect July 1, 2027. It applies to platforms meeting Vermont's definition of social media (user-generated content sharing sites/apps).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health warnings and crisis resources (988 hotline), directly supporting mental health access through social media platforms as mandated by the bill.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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vetoed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 817: An act relating to mental health literacy and peer-to-peer supports in schools

This bill requires Vermont school districts to adopt a mental health and substance misuse literacy curriculum for students, covering topics like mental health connections to physical well-being, warning signs, available resources, and how to seek help. It also establishes a four-year state-funded pilot program for peer-to-peer mental health support in schools, where trained student volunteers provide support under professional oversight, with priority given to schools in high-suicide areas or those including suicide prevention. School staff involved in the program must complete specific training on empathetic listening, recognizing risk factors, and connecting students to professional services. The bill affects all Vermont public and approved independent schools, with implementation beginning July 2026 and a final evaluation report due by 2030.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health curriculum and funds peer support pilot, directly enhancing student well-being and school programs within educational framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health curriculum and funds peer support pilot in schools, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 596: An act relating to completion of a mental health screening after administration of an opioid antagonist

This bill (H.596) requires Vermont hospitals to provide mental health screenings to patients treated for opioid overdoses after they receive an opioid antagonist (like naloxone). It directly affects hospitals and patients experiencing opioid overdoses in Vermont. The key provision amends Vermont law (18 V.S.A. § 4257) to add this screening requirement to the state's opioid overdose response strategy, specifically under hospital referral services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health screenings for opioid overdose patients in hospitals, strengthening mental health services within healthcare response protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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