Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 14: An act relating to prohibiting the use of animals in product testing

H.14 prohibits Vermont product testing facilities from using traditional animal testing methods when equivalent non-animal alternatives exist or when a waiver is granted. It directly affects companies testing chemicals, cosmetics, drugs, or consumer products in Vermont, requiring them to adopt alternative methods like in vitro testing or computational models where available. The bill includes exemptions for biomedical research, legally required testing, and specific agency-approved cases. Facilities must annually report animal testing data to the Attorney General, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates use of computational models (technology) as alternative to animal testing, directly advancing tech-based solutions in product testing.85% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 391: An act relating to the disclosure of transactions involving personally identifiable information

This bill (H 391) requires businesses to publicly disclose the revenue they earn from transactions involving personally identifiable information (PII). It directly affects companies that collect and monetize customer data, such as those using personal information for targeted advertising or data sales. The key provision mandates businesses to report the specific amount of revenue generated from PII transactions to the public. This would increase transparency about how personal data is commercially exploited. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates public disclosure of revenue from PII transactions, enhancing data privacy transparency and consumer protection for technology companies handling personal data.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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passed · Vermont · House May 29, 2025

HR 9: House resolution urging that all State agencies, departments, and offices protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and all aspects of personal privacy of Vermonters who have been diagnosed with autism in light of the Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services’ recently announced plans to establish an autism research database and other databases related to autism

This Vermont House resolution (HR 9) urges all state agencies to protect the privacy and medical confidentiality of Vermonters diagnosed with autism, specifically in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It directly affects autistic Vermonters by seeking to prevent their personal health data - like medical records, insurance claims, and wearable device information - from being collected or shared without informed consent. The resolution emphasizes that autism is a neurological difference, not a disease, and highlights concerns about federal data collection practices that lack explicit privacy safeguards. As a non-binding resolution, it directs state officials to uphold privacy rights and has been formally adopted by the House.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy rights for autism-related health data, aligning with healthcare protection indicators like medical confidentiality.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents unauthorized collection/sharing of personal health data without consent, directly protecting privacy in data systems per technology policy guidelines95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 25, 2025

H 341: An act relating to creating oversight and safety standards for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems

This bill establishes safety standards and oversight for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires these entities to submit safety and impact assessments to a new Division of Artificial Intelligence within the Agency of Digital Services. The Attorney General can enforce the law by taking legal action against noncompliant developers or deployers, including seeking court orders to stop violations. The bill specifically targets high-risk AI systems, dual-use foundational models, and generative AI systems that pose serious risks to public safety, economic security, or individual rights.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates safety assessments and oversight for AI systems to prevent harm, aligning with regulatory consumer protection in technology governance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Digital Government

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 389: An act relating to restricting the use of artificial intelligence to affect rental housing pricing and availability

This bill (H.389) restricts landlords and property managers from using artificial intelligence to collude on rental pricing or control housing availability. It directly affects property owners and management companies that might use AI tools to coordinate pricing strategies. The key provision bans the use of AI to influence rental rates or supply in ways that could limit competition. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans AI-driven collusion on rental pricing/availability, preventing anti-competitive practices that harm tenants and reduce affordability. Directly protects tenant rights and promotes fair housing markets.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly restricts AI use in rental pricing collusion, limiting AI's application in housing markets per its key provision banning AI-driven pricing coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 14, 2025

H 223: An act relating to stalking through the use of tracking technology

This bill (H 223) clarifies that using tracking technology without consent to follow someone’s movements - such as via GPS in a vehicle - counts as stalking under Vermont law. It prohibits installing or using tracking devices in vehicles without the operator’s and all occupants’ consent, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, parents monitoring minors, and vehicle dealers. The bill also allows courts to grant abuse survivors temporary vehicle possession for safety and creates a process for survivors to quickly disable an abuser’s access to a vehicle’s connected tracking services, even if the abuser owns the account. It directly affects domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking, and individuals using vehicles in abusive situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies unauthorized tracking as stalking, strengthens victim protections under criminal law, aligns with civil rights safeguards in criminal justice reform95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized tracking tech use without consent, requiring explicit permission to protect data privacy and prevent stalking via GPS monitoring.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 21, 2025

H 301: An act relating to age verification in social media

H 301 requires social media platforms to verify a user's age before granting membership and access. If the user is a minor, the platform must obtain parental or guardian consent before allowing access. The bill directly affects social media companies operating in Vermont and minors under 18 seeking to use these platforms. It aims to protect minors by implementing age verification and parental consent mechanisms for social media membership.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification and parental consent for minors on social media, regulating platforms to protect minors' data privacy and safety per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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signed · Vermont · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 23: An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

S 23 prohibits the distribution of deceptive synthetic media (AI-generated content falsely representing political candidates) within 90 days of Vermont elections without clear disclosure. It requires visible or audible disclaimers stating the media was "created or manipulated by digital technology," with specific formatting rules for different formats. The law exempts news media during bona fide reporting, satire, and platforms under Section 230 of federal law. Violations carry fines up to $15,000 (with higher penalties for repeat offenses or intent to cause harm), and candidates can seek court injunctions to stop distribution.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates deceptive AI-generated election content with disclosure requirements, promoting transparency and protecting digital rights in electoral processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 69: An act relating to an age-appropriate design code

This bill, S 69 (Vermont Age-Appropriate Design Code Act), requires online services popular with minors to redesign their platforms to protect children’s privacy and safety. It directly affects businesses that generate most revenue from online services likely accessed by Vermont minors under 18 and collect their personal data. Key provisions mandate age-assurance methods to identify minors, set default privacy settings to the most protective level, ban features causing "compulsive use" (like addictive content algorithms), and restrict data collection for minors. The law also defines strict rules for handling biometric, genetic, and derived data of minors, ensuring data processing aligns with their developmental needs. It applies broadly to digital products like apps and websites, excluding physical products and basic internet services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age-assurance, default privacy settings, and bans compulsive features to protect minors' data privacy, aligning with consumer protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Digital Government

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 210: An act relating to an age-appropriate design code

This bill requires online businesses likely to be accessed by children to avoid using design features that are harmful or overly invasive of children's privacy. It defines "covered businesses" as those with online services reasonably likely to be used by minors and mandates that these businesses set privacy settings to the most protective default for children. Key provisions prohibit design features causing compulsive use (like endless scrolling) and require businesses to handle children's personal data with heightened safeguards. The law applies to Vermont-based businesses offering online products or services to minors, aiming to protect children's privacy through proactive design standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires protective privacy defaults for children's online services, prohibiting invasive design features. Directly advances data privacy protections for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Digital Government

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