Rep. Martin LaLonde

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryH 220 creates the CHINS Statutory Revision Task Force to review Vermont's laws governing children in need of supervision (CHINS). The task force, composed of child welfare experts, judges, attorneys, and advocates, will study specific issues including updating the definition of "reasonable efforts" (33 V.S.A. § 5102(25)), revising § 5102, and considering broader changes to CHINS statutes. It must submit a report with recommendations to legislative committees by November 15, 2025, and will dissolve on February 1, 2026. This bill establishes a review process but does not change current law; it directly affects Vermont's child welfare system and youth under CHINS supervision.

Maddy summaryH 200 prohibits Vermont residents found by a court to pose a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness from possessing firearms. This new rule applies to individuals under specific court orders for mental health treatment or hospitalization, aligning Vermont law with federal standards. The bill also increases penalties for second or subsequent offenses of firearm possession by prohibited persons, raising the maximum penalty to three years in jail or a $5,000 fine. It does not change existing prohibitions for other reasons, such as violent crime convictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Motor Vehicle Purchase Cancellation Study Committee to examine potential changes to Vermont law that would allow buyers to return a vehicle after purchase or cancel a contract before delivery. The committee, including state agency representatives and industry stakeholders, will study the legal rights of purchasers and impacts on dealerships. It must submit a report with recommendations by January 15, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current cancellation policies. The study focuses specifically on return rights after purchase and pre-delivery cancellation.

Maddy summaryH 176 requires Vermont's Department of Corrections to reinstate its community work program (called "work crew") by July 1, 2025, after it was discontinued in 2023. The bill mandates reinstating prior policies and sets minimum requirements: offenders must be assigned at least 20 work crew days per court order, or 60 days total across multiple orders. This directly affects individuals sentenced to community restitution and the Department of Corrections, which must implement the program by the deadline. The law takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryH 138 sets a maximum liability limit for Vermont municipalities in tort claims: $500,000 per person and $2 million total for all claims arising from a single incident. It directly affects towns and cities (municipalities) facing lawsuits for negligence by employees, as well as individuals filing such claims. The bill amends Vermont law to establish these caps, applying to all claims except those specifically excluded (like quarantine-related damages or fiscal operations). The limits take effect July 1, 2025, and apply to all claims filed under the amended statutes.

Maddy summaryH 64 creates a process for victims of sexual assault to obtain emergency protective orders outside regular court hours, weekends, and holidays. It requires the Court Administrator to establish procedures where an authorized person can receive requests (including electronically), administer a sworn statement over the phone, and relay the case to a judicial officer for a decision. This directly affects individuals seeking immediate protection from sexual assault when courts are closed. The judicial officer decides solely based on the submitted information, and if approved, the order is delivered to law enforcement for service. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH.36 requests the Chief Superior Judge, Office of Professional Regulation, and Vermont Psychological Association to study how to increase family forensic evaluators in Vermont. These evaluators are mental health professionals who assist courts in complex child welfare and parenting cases. The study will examine current needs, geographic distribution, barriers to availability, and recruitment strategies. The entities must submit recommendations to the legislature by November 1, 2025. This bill does not change laws but seeks solutions to address a shortage hindering timely case resolution.

Maddy summaryH.23 ensures that married couples in Vermont who transfer property they jointly owned (as tenants by the entirety) into a trust retain the same protection from their separate creditors as they had before the transfer. The law requires the trust to meet specific conditions, such as being revocable by one spouse alone or requiring both for amendments, to maintain this protection. This immunity ends if the marriage is dissolved by court order, such as through divorce. The bill applies to all trusts and related legal proceedings involving such property transfers.