Veterans (Military Families)

This bill designates April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont to honor the children of military service members. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Vermont National Guard Office of Child & Youth Services. The measure serves as a formal recognition rather than implementing new programs or funding.

This bill (H.884) adds a specific definition of "Gold Star family members" to Vermont's statutes. It defines these members as the survivors of service members who died while serving in the military or from a service-connected injury or illness. The definition applies directly to individuals seeking benefits or services under Vermont laws that reference "Gold Star family members." This change clarifies eligibility under existing statutes without creating new programs or benefits.

H 531 would require Vermont state agencies to add 5 points to the exam scores of qualified military spouses applying for state jobs through point-based hiring processes. It specifically targets spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel who meet eligibility criteria, such as receiving disability compensation or being unable to work due to disability. The bill amends Vermont law to include this preference in state employment exams, alongside existing veteran hiring preferences. This policy change directly affects military spouses seeking state government jobs by giving them a competitive advantage in scoring. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026.

This bill exempts U.S. military retirement income and survivor benefit income received by Vermont residents from state income tax. It directly affects Vermont veterans and their surviving spouses or dependents who receive these benefits. The bill amends Vermont's tax code to add these income types to the list of exclusions from taxable income under § 5811, specifically adding a new exclusion (vii) for military retirement and survivor benefits. The change takes effect retroactively for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.