Rep. Barbara Rachelson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of Vermont to cover all costs for public schools that need remediation, mitigation, reconstruction, or new construction due to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination. It applies to public schools tested by the Agency of Natural Resources after 2015 that show PCB levels exceeding the state's action threshold. The legislation defines "public school" according to existing state law and ensures eligible schools receive funding or reimbursement for necessary cleanup and rebuilding expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove criminal penalties for possessing, dispensing, or selling psilocybin in Vermont and create a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to study the potential for regulated therapeutic use. The legislation cites research suggesting psilocybin may help treat mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, and it amends state law to exclude psilocybin from the definition of hallucinogenic drugs. The newly formed working group would include legislators, medical professionals, researchers, and community members to review evidence, examine programs in other states, and recommend whether Vermont should establish a regulated system for healthcare providers to administer psychedelics therapeutically. The group must submit its findings and recommendations by November 15, 2024, to relevant legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement officers to detain a driver for a primary violation before issuing a ticket for specific secondary motor vehicle violations. The changes directly affect drivers in Vermont who may be stopped for issues like expired registration, driving without a license, or broken taillights. Under the new rules, officers must have a valid reason to stop a vehicle first, such as a safety concern or another suspected offense, before addressing these secondary violations. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to ten specific categories of violations listed in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools and approved independent schools in Vermont to create seizure action plans for any student with a seizure disorder or who takes seizure medication. The law mandates that schools designate at least one trained staff member to administer seizure rescue medications or operate vagus nerve stimulator magnets, while all employees with direct student contact and students themselves receive seizure recognition and first aid training. Parents must provide written authorization, medical instructions, and unopened medication packages before school staff can administer treatment, and the State Board of Education will establish guidelines for these individualized health plans. The bill also includes liability protections for school employees acting in good faith according to the seizure action plan and takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Vermont General Assembly to approve the use of specific law enforcement technologies before state or local police agencies can employ them. The technologies covered include facial recognition software, tattoo recognition systems, genetic DNA testing, stationary license plate readers, cell site simulators, and international mobile subscriber identity catchers. Additionally, the bill restricts law enforcement from purchasing, trading, or obtaining information from private or public entities that was gathered using these approved technologies. The legislation aims to establish a legislative oversight process for these surveillance tools rather than allowing agencies to use them without explicit state authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the transfer of Vermont inmates to correctional facilities outside the state, directly affecting the Department of Corrections and incarcerated individuals. It amends existing statutes to remove the Commissioner of Corrections' authority to order inmate transfers to out-of-state facilities and repeals provisions related to using competitive bidding for such placements. The legislation also clarifies the intent to create new work camps within Vermont to reduce reliance on out-of-state housing, while specifying that new work camps should only house nonviolent offenders who have already served part of their sentence in a state facility. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to keep inmates within Vermont for oversight, cost, and family visitation reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires postsecondary schools in Vermont to implement several new protections against sexual misconduct, including conducting biannual anonymous campus climate surveys, hiring confidential resource advocates, and establishing formal partnerships with local sexual assault programs. The legislation mandates that schools provide amnesty for good faith reports of sexual misconduct and deliver annual awareness programming and training to students and staff. Additionally, the bill removes the previous expiration date for the Intercollegiate Sexual Harm Prevention Council, ensuring its continued operation. These measures directly affect all postsecondary institutions with Vermont campuses and aim to improve support systems and data collection regarding sexual violence on college campuses.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain postsecondary and career technical education students in Vermont to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. To qualify, students must be Vermont residents aged 18 to 49 enrolled at least half-time and meet specific criteria such as working at least 20 hours per week, participating in a federally funded work-study program, caring for young children, or being enrolled in specific state education programs. The law also defines when student status ends and excludes students who have meal plans covering more than half their meals. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all connected devices sold in Vermont to meet specific minimum security standards, directly affecting manufacturers and retailers of internet-capable consumer electronics. The law mandates that these devices use encrypted communications, support automatic security updates, require strong passwords with default password resets, maintain vulnerability management systems, and provide clear privacy policies with data deletion options. Violations of these standards would be treated as unfair and deceptive acts under state commerce law, with the regulations taking effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Genetic Information Privacy Act, establishes new privacy protections for consumers who use direct-to-consumer genetic testing services. It requires these companies to obtain clear, specific consent from customers before collecting, using, or sharing their genetic data, and mandates transparent privacy policies that explain how data will be handled. The law also prohibits companies from sharing genetic information with health insurers, life insurers, or employers without explicit customer permission, while requiring robust security measures and giving consumers the right to access, delete, or destroy their genetic data and biological samples.