Rep. Brian Cina

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors the music therapists of Vermont for their work using evidence-based music interventions to help patients manage pain, anxiety, and other health challenges. It recognizes the growing importance of music therapy services in the state and acknowledges specific therapists who presented a devotional in the House of Representatives. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the honored therapists and the Music Therapy Association of Vermont. This is a commemorative measure rather than a law that changes policy or requires new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Medicaid Expansion Act of 2024, expands eligibility for Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur children's health insurance program to include young adults up to age 26, in addition to the current age limit of 21. The expansion applies to residents whose family income is at or below 312 percent of the federal poverty level, and it also extends coverage to pregnant individuals of any age. The legislation authorizes the state to charge monthly premiums for pregnant women and young adults whose family income exceeds 195 percent of the federal poverty level, with collected fees directed toward offsetting program costs. By aligning Dr. Dynasaur eligibility with federal Medicaid standards for young adults, the bill aims to reduce the number of uninsured and underinsured Vermonters in this age group.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors Robert Bick for his three decades of leadership at the Howard Center, a mental health and substance abuse service organization in Vermont. The resolution recognizes his specific contributions, including starting Vermont's first methadone clinic, establishing harm reduction services, and expanding the organization's reach to 19,000 people through organizational improvements. The measure directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to both Bick and the Howard Center, serving as an official acknowledgment of his achievements rather than changing any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Catamount Trail, a recreational trail in Vermont. It recognizes the trail's origins in 1984 when three friends established the Catamount Trail Association and began skiing the trail's length. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Catamount Trail Association. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves to honor the trail's history and ongoing stewardship.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution commemorates Vermont's April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse, a rare astronomical event visible across much of the state. It officially recognizes the historic nature of the eclipse, noting that the last total solar eclipse visible in Vermont occurred nearly a century ago in 1932. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Vermont Space Grant Consortium and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, which are partners in educating the public about the event. This ceremonial measure serves to acknowledge the significance of the eclipse for Vermont residents and visitors rather than to change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors the memory of Reuben Jackson, a jazz archivist, radio host, and poet who passed away in February 2024. The bill expresses the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to his partner, Vermont Public, WPFW Radio, and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives at the University of the District of Columbia. Jackson was recognized for his significant contributions to jazz preservation, including his work curating the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Institution and hosting Vermont Public's Friday Night Jazz program. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of his life's achievements and legacy in music and literature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers and landlords in Vermont to disclose flood risk information to buyers and tenants, including whether properties are in mapped flood hazard areas and if they have experienced past flooding. It also establishes accessibility standards for state-funded residential construction and updates definitions and disclosure requirements for mobile homes and mobile home parks. The legislation creates legal consequences for sellers who fail to provide required flood information, allowing buyers to terminate contracts or seek damages. Additionally, the bill mandates that mobile home sales include written disclosures about flooding history and requires appraisal reports to separate the value of the mobile home from its location.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Vermont Baby Bond Trust, a state-administered fund designed to provide financial support to children born on or after July 1, 2024, who qualify for Medicaid or similar health coverage at birth. The program would allow eligible children to receive bonds that can be used for education, purchasing a home, starting a business, or contributing to retirement accounts once they reach adulthood. The trust would be managed by the State Treasurer, who would invest the funds to generate earnings while keeping the assets separate from general state funds and exempt from state taxes. Money in the trust would only be disbursed for approved purposes and would not count as income or assets when determining eligibility for other assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Vermont Human Rights Commission to hire three new full-time staff positions in fiscal year 2025. The funding of $300,000 from the General Fund will cover salaries and benefits for an Education and Outreach Coordinator, an Intake Specialist, and a Staff Attorney Investigator. These roles are designed to expand the commission's capacity for public education, case intake, and legal investigation of discrimination complaints. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and directly affect the commission's operational staffing and budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Sergeant at Arms Janet Miller for her service to the Vermont General Assembly. It recognizes her long career, which includes managing security, coordinating events, and overseeing the Legislative Council before she was elected to her current role five times. The resolution also acknowledges her specific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping the legislature transition back to in-person meetings. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this honor to Janet Miller, who has announced her retirement effective March 1, 2024.