Rep. Jubilee McGill

Maddy summaryH 169 amends Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit landlords from requesting Social Security numbers on residential rental applications and requires them to accept all government-issued identification. It also adds "citizenship and immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in housing and public accommodations, expanding existing protections against discrimination. The bill directly affects landlords, renters, and businesses serving the public by banning specific discriminatory practices in housing applications and services. Key provisions include banning SSN requests for rentals (§ 4456a) and updating definitions to include immigration status in housing (§ 4501, § 4503) and public accommodations (§ 4502). These changes aim to reduce barriers for renters, particularly immigrants and non-citizens, while clarifying prohibited discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont SNAP (food assistance) recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants instead of purchasing groceries. It directly affects SNAP recipients (including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income households) and restaurants that choose to join the program. Key provisions require restaurants to be licensed, promote locally sourced and culturally diverse food options, and be located in areas with many eligible participants. The bill also authorizes $100,000 for a new coordinator position and $75,000 for restaurant start-up costs, with implementation starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 10) designates February 6, 2025, as "3SquaresVT Awareness Day" at the Vermont State House. It formally recognizes 3SquaresVT - the state's administration of the federal SNAP nutrition assistance program - which supports over 65,000 Vermonters, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. The resolution highlights how the program provides nine meals for every meal from charitable food systems, strengthens local economies, and helps vulnerable residents with privacy and dignity. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy but raises public awareness about the program’s role in reducing hunger.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 153) amends Vermont law to expand who can request certified copies of birth and death certificates. It adds aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews to the existing list of eligible family members, which previously included parents, siblings, grandparents, and other close relatives. The change directly affects these extended family members seeking official records for personal, legal, or medical purposes. The amendment to 18 V.S.A. § 5016 takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans and Vermont Medicaid to cover biomarker testing when supported by specific evidence, such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients needing these tests (e.g., for cancer diagnosis or treatment) and insurers/Medicaid, mandating coverage for tests analyzing genes, proteins, or other biological markers in blood or tissue. Key provisions include limiting disruptions in care (e.g., avoiding repeated biopsies) and defining biomarker testing broadly to include advanced genetic sequencing. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for new plans, with Medicaid coverage pending CMS approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Vermont calculates Reach Up grants for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It requires the Department for Children and Families to adjust the grant formula by using the current year's basic living costs (subsistence level) instead of previous years' rates and to eliminate a reduction based on household size (ratable reduction). These changes aim to provide more accurate and potentially higher grants for eligible families. The bill directly affects low-income households in Vermont who rely on Reach Up grants as part of their TANF support.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 9) formally honors Vermonters involved in creating the Tony Award-winning musical *Hadestown* and Vermont youth theater groups performing teen versions of the show. It specifically recognizes creators like Anaïs Mitchell (Middlebury College alum), Michael Chorney, and Ben T. Matchstick, along with Vermont youth ensembles including Peoples Academy, Very Merry Theatre, and U-32/Montpelier High School productions supported by *Hadestown* creators. The resolution has no legal effect - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating their artistic achievements and community impact without enacting new policy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care sharing organizations that aren't licensed insurance providers in Vermont to annually report detailed financial and operational data to the state's Financial Regulation Commissioner. It affects entities offering "health care sharing plans" that facilitate payment for health care costs but operate outside standard insurance regulations. Organizations must submit specific information including participant numbers (individuals, households, employers), total fees collected, reimbursement requests processed, denied claims, and details about third-party partners. The Commissioner will compile these reports into a public annual summary posted online. This aims to increase transparency for Vermont residents using these non-insurance health care arrangements.

Maddy summaryH 97 prohibits firearms and deadly weapons in Vermont schools, school property, and childcare centers, with limited exceptions. It directly affects students, staff, and visitors at these locations by making unauthorized possession a crime punishable by fines or jail time (up to 1 year for first offense, 3 years for repeat offenses). Key exceptions include law enforcement officers on duty, authorized school personnel for specific purposes (like instruction), and firearms at childcare centers located in a person’s home. The bill defines "school property" broadly to include leased or controlled areas and clarifies it doesn’t prevent other charges like assault.

Maddy summaryH.112 provides medical debt relief for Vermont residents by appropriating $1 million to contract with a nonprofit to purchase and erase qualifying medical debt. It directly affects Vermonters with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or those owing medical debt equal to 5% or more of their household income. The bill prohibits credit bureaus from reporting medical debt on credit reports and bans healthcare providers from submitting such debt to credit agencies. It requires debt relief contractors to remove adverse credit information after debt abolition, ensuring no cost or tax impact for affected residents.