Rep. Tiff Bluemle

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Vermont's Medicaid program to cover doula services for pregnant individuals, including support during prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period. To qualify for reimbursement, doulas must be certified by an approved national organization, complete additional training on Medicaid participation and special populations, pass a background check, and maintain liability insurance. The bill sets a maximum coverage limit of $850 per pregnancy, with specific allocations for prenatal visits, labor and delivery support, and postpartum care, while excluding reimbursement for travel expenses. The Department of Vermont Health Access would establish a registry of qualified doulas and create rules to implement these requirements, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2023, or upon federal approval of a state plan amendment, whichever occurs later.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over a ten-year period. It would begin with primary care coverage in the first year, add preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and expand to additional services in subsequent years based on recommendations from an advisory group. The legislation requires the Green Mountain Care Board to analyze and report on financing sustainability, economic impact, and cost containment measures before full implementation. It also seeks a federal waiver to adjust health insurance benefits and funding to avoid duplication with Green Mountain Care coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Vermont to provide employees with reasonable opportunities to eat and use toilet facilities during work periods. For shifts lasting six hours or more, employers must offer at least 30 minutes of paid or unpaid breaks for eating, resting, and using facilities, unless safety concerns require adjustments. The law applies to workplaces with three or more employees and allows employers to offer more generous break policies while prohibiting retaliation against workers who use their break rights. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and gives state attorneys general authority to enforce compliance through civil penalties and investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont. It recognizes the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and related groups like the Vermont Communications Union Districts Association and the Vermont Community Broadband Board for their efforts in building broadband networks. The resolution acknowledges past legislative actions that created funding and oversight structures to support these broadband initiatives. It does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the achievements of these groups in expanding internet access to over 200 municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Mental Health to work with the Department of Health on studying suicide rates in the state. The study will focus on ways to reduce access to lethal means, identify gaps in prevention services, and gather data on suicide methods used in Vermont. The legislation requires these departments to examine current suicide incidence and develop strategies to decrease suicide rates through evidence-based analysis. This measure affects state health agencies and aims to improve suicide prevention efforts through systematic data collection and service gap identification.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces several employment protections for workers in Vermont, including requirements for pay transparency, anti-discrimination measures, schedule stability, and expense reimbursement. It mandates that employers disclose pay scales to job applicants and current employees, prohibits using past salary information to limit new offers, and requires companies with 10 or more employees to submit gender and race breakdowns of employee compensation to the Department of Labor. The legislation also expands wage discrimination protections to include race and gender identity, requires employers to provide at least 14 days notice of work schedules with specific exceptions for changes, and obligates employers to reimburse necessary work-related expenses. These changes directly affect employers and employees across various industries in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Agency of Transportation to develop a funding plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding access to efficient, low-cost transportation options. It establishes a working group to study regional climate initiatives and implements a self-funded fee system that charges higher fees for less efficient vehicles while rebating funds to owners of more efficient cars. The legislation also allocates money for electric vehicle incentives, e-bike programs, public transit improvements, and infrastructure updates, while requiring the agency to work with Amtrak and provide training on complete streets design to municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont municipalities to install seasonal pedestrian crossing signs in crosswalks from May 1 to October 15 and gives cities and towns the authority to set lower speed limits on state highways within their jurisdictions. It specifically permits cities to establish speed limits between 25 and 50 mph and allows towns with designated downtown or village centers to set 25 mph limits on state roads. The legislation also directs the state Traffic Committee not to raise speed limits on state highways after a municipality requests a reduction, unless an engineering study shows keeping the limit lower would create a greater safety hazard. These changes aim to enhance pedestrian safety and provide more local control over traffic conditions while maintaining state oversight through engineering reviews.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce the use of cash bail in Vermont by prohibiting it for most misdemeanor cases charged through a citation or eligible for expungement, while allowing courts to set bail up to $200 only when flight risk is a concern. It requires multiple criminal justice agencies to collaborate and submit recommendations by December 2023 on how to eliminate cash bail entirely for mitigating flight risk. The legislation also mandates the Department of Corrections to collect and report racial data on pretrial detainees and directs the Judiciary to create an electronic notification system for court hearings by July 2025 to reduce missed appearances.