Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Type I and II school buses in Vermont to be equipped with live digital video cameras that automatically detect and record vehicles illegally passing a stopped school bus. The cameras will capture images of license plates only, not occupants, and store footage for up to 90 days unless a violation is reported, in which case images are kept until the case is resolved. If a violation is confirmed, the school bus operator can submit the recorded evidence to issue a civil traffic violation to the vehicle's registered owner, removing the need for a law enforcement officer to witness the infraction. Additionally, the bill eliminates point assessments on driving records for illegal school bus passing violations, though it does not change the underlying penalty for the offense. The changes take effect on August 1, 2025, and apply to school buses during the 2025-2026 school year.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Housing Division to track and report on progress toward statewide and regional housing targets established in the Statewide Housing Needs Assessment. The legislation mandates the development of specific metrics, including timelines with deadlines and regional measures covering investment rates, price, quality, and zoning compliance. Through 2030, the Division must publish annual reports detailing progress against these targets, assess whether advancement is satisfactory, and provide recommendations to accelerate housing development if needed. The bill affects the Department of Housing and Community Development, regional planning commissions, and housing developers by creating a structured accountability system for meeting housing goals.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Working Group on Asynchronous Open Meetings to study how public bodies in Vermont could use technology to hold electronic meetings where participants join at different times rather than live. The group will include representatives from the legislature, state agencies, news media, and municipalities, and will examine available technology, public access, best practices, and costs associated with such meetings. The Working Group must hold its first meeting by September 1, 2024, and submit a written report with findings and recommendations by January 15, 2025, after which the group will dissolve. The bill also provides for per diem compensation and reimbursement for group members attending meetings, with funding appropriated from the General Fund.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail establishments in Vermont to allow customers with inflammatory bowel disease to use employee restrooms when public restrooms are not immediately accessible. The law applies to businesses open to the public and defines eligible conditions to include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other conditions requiring immediate restroom access. To qualify for access, customers must use an ostomy device or show written proof from a healthcare provider, and the business must have at least two employees present while the restroom is not in a public area or a safety-risk location. Businesses that comply are protected from liability, while those that refuse access face civil penalties of up to $100 for the first violation and $500 for subsequent ones. The Department of Health will create a printable card for patients to carry as proof of their condition.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, an agreement among multiple states that makes it easier for licensed physician assistants to practice across state lines. Under the compact, a physician assistant holding a valid license in one participating state could obtain temporary permission to practice in other participating states without applying for a new full license in each location. The system maintains patient safety by ensuring that the physician assistant remains under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located during a medical visit and allows licensing boards to share information about disciplinary actions. The compact also includes special provisions to help military families by simplifying the licensing process for active-duty personnel and their spouses who move between states.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's Power of Attorney laws to align with a national standard, making it easier for individuals to appoint trusted agents to manage their financial and business affairs. The law clarifies that these powers remain effective even if the person becomes incapacitated, unless they specifically state otherwise, and allows for electronic signatures and digital copies to be treated as valid. It also establishes rules for how out-of-state powers of attorney are recognized in Vermont and gives principals the ability to nominate a guardian if they later need court-appointed protection. These changes affect all Vermont residents who create or use powers of attorney, as well as financial institutions and legal professionals who handle such documents.
Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates St. Peter Roman Catholic Church of Rutland on the 150th anniversary of its church building's construction. The document acknowledges the church's history, noting it was built in 1869 and consecrated in 1873 to serve the growing Catholic community in the Rutland area. It recognizes the contributions of parishioners who helped construct the building and subsequent restoration efforts over the decades. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the church as a formal acknowledgment of this milestone.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill defines and protects certain health care activities related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care from civil and criminal liability. It establishes that licensed health care providers in Vermont can legally offer these services to patients regardless of where the patient is located, as long as the services are permitted under Vermont law. The law also protects insurance coverage for these services and prohibits conversion therapy from being classified as gender-affirming care. The protections apply to the provision, prescription, distribution, and use of FDA-approved medications for pregnancy termination as of January 1, 2023. The bill became effective immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in May 2023.