Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Health to create free opioid overdose response training videos and distribute naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, to businesses and organizations likely to encounter people experiencing overdoses. The legislation also requires the department to expand community prevention programs, improve access to treatment services, educate healthcare providers and recovery program participants on overdose prevention, and establish public kiosks where naloxone can be dispensed. These measures aim to increase public awareness and access to life-saving resources for individuals at risk of opioid-related overdoses across the state. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Vermont National Guard Deputy Adjutant General Kenneth Gragg for his distinguished career in public service. The document recognizes his 46 years of military and civilian service, including his leadership in financial management, construction projects, and pandemic response efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Gragg as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions. This is a ceremonial measure with no new laws or policy changes, serving only to publicly recognize his achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal right for owners of powered wheelchairs and independent repair shops to repair their devices without relying solely on the original equipment manufacturer. It requires manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation at fair and reasonable terms, including access to diagnostic software and security features needed for repairs. The law defines key terms like "independent repair provider" and "original equipment manufacturer" to clarify who must comply with these requirements. By mandating access to repair resources, the bill aims to give wheelchair users more control over maintenance and reduce dependence on manufacturer-approved service centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts that close an existing elementary or high school to designate three or fewer public schools to serve as the district's public schools for those students. The law mandates that when a school closure occurs, the district must ensure education continues by assigning students to designated public schools rather than automatically paying tuition to outside schools. Parents retain the right to request tuition for their children to attend other approved schools if they believe it better serves their child's needs, though the school board makes the final decision on such requests. The bill also allows certain districts in rural areas to designate public high schools in neighboring states like New York as their public schools under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a personal income tax credit for Vermont residents who make home modifications to improve safety and accessibility. The credit covers unreimbursed expenses for items like ramps, stair lifts, widened doorways, bathroom renovations, and other modifications that enhance livability, with a lifetime limit of $15,000. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer's current tax liability, the unused portion can be carried forward for up to three years. The legislation applies retroactively to January 1, 2024, and is intended to help individuals live more safely in their homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies in Vermont from discriminating against homeowners based solely on owning specific dog breeds or mixed breeds. It makes such discrimination an unfair practice under state insurance law, preventing insurers from using breed alone to deny coverage, cancel policies, or charge higher rates. The law allows insurers to still refuse coverage or increase rates if a specific dog has a documented history of causing significant property damage or serious bodily injury, provided the decision is based on sound underwriting principles. The policy applies to all homeowners' insurance policies offered, issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2024, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Rare Disease Advisory Council within Vermont's Department of Health to provide guidance and recommendations on behalf of individuals living with rare diseases in the state. The council will consist of 13 members representing diverse perspectives, including people with rare diseases, healthcare providers, researchers, insurance companies, and industry representatives, with appointments made by various state officials and organizations. Its primary duties include holding public hearings to assess community needs, reviewing legislation that affects rare disease patients, making policy recommendations to improve healthcare access and coverage, evaluating newborn screening programs, and publishing educational resources for providers and the public. The council will meet regularly, submit annual reports to legislative committees, and its members will receive per diem compensation and expense reimbursement for their service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Vermont to cover diagnostic tests used for screening purposes using the same terms as they cover screening tests for the same condition. It applies to all health insurance plans and ensures that cost-sharing requirements like copayments and deductibles are identical for diagnostic and screening tests. The legislation aims to eliminate disparities in coverage between diagnostic and screening tests for the same disease or illness.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont municipalities to receive reimbursement for state education property taxes they abated for property owners affected by severe storms and flooding between July and October 2023. It also permits municipalities to be reimbursed for reasonable interest expenses incurred when borrowing funds to make these tax payments, capped at eight percent. Additionally, the bill excludes federal disaster relief payments from household income when calculating the homestead property tax credit for the 2023 and 2024 tax years, helping homeowners maintain eligibility for tax credits despite receiving disaster assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Community Media Public Benefit Fund to provide stable funding for Vermont's 24 access management organizations that operate public, educational, and government access channels. The fund would be financed through a $15 annual fee charged to communications service providers for each utility pole they attach equipment to, replacing or supplementing previous funding that came from cable television surcharges. Money collected would be distributed through the Secretary of State to the Vermont Access Network, which would then allocate grants to individual access management organizations based on approved plans. The legislation applies to various types of communications providers including cable companies, internet service providers, and wireless carriers, while exempting publicly owned facilities from the charge.