Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution honoring 21 Vermont youth athletes who competed in snowboarding and skiing events at the 2023 USASA National Championships in Colorado. The resolution recognizes these athletes for representing Vermont with distinction and winning medals in various disciplines during the competition. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each honored athlete as an official acknowledgment of their achievements. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial recognition of the athletes' accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Burlington High School Seahorses team for winning the 2023 Vermont-NEA Scholars' Bowl state championship. The resolution recognizes the six student team members and their coach for their academic achievements in a competition that tests knowledge across various subjects. It formally acknowledges their victories in the state tournament and expresses good wishes for their upcoming national competition. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this recognition to Burlington High School.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont law requires firearm owners to securely store guns in locked containers or with safety devices to prevent children and prohibited individuals from accessing them, with criminal penalties for negligent storage that results in harm. Gun dealers must display warning signs about suicide and domestic violence risks associated with firearm access, while the law also expands the definition of household members to include dating partners for certain protective order provisions. The legislation aims to reduce suicide and community violence by limiting impulsive access to firearms, particularly in homes where children or prohibited persons might otherwise gain unauthorized access.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces overdose risks in Vermont by expanding access to buprenorphine treatment, legalizing drug-checking services, and creating a dedicated funding stream for opioid prevention. It allows healthcare providers to prescribe up to 24 milligrams of buprenorphine without prior authorization, permits community organizations to test substances for contaminants without fear of legal penalties, and establishes an Opioid Abatement Special Fund to finance naloxone distribution and treatment programs. The legislation also clarifies that drug-checking results cannot be used as evidence in court and ensures that individuals seeking these services face no arrest or prosecution for possession of the substances being tested.

Maddy summaryThis bill approves a charter amendment for the City of Burlington that implements ranked choice voting for local elections. It directly affects voters in Burlington who will now be able to rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting only one. The key provision requires candidates to receive at least 40 percent of the vote to win, with lower-preference votes transferred to remaining candidates if no one reaches that threshold. Once enacted, this system eliminates the need for separate runoff elections for Mayor, City Councilors, school commissioners, and ward election officers. The change takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally approves a charter amendment for the City of Burlington that was previously voted on by residents in March 2023. The amendment establishes rules for where Burlington voters can cast early or absentee ballots and determines how polling places are located within the city's wards. Specifically, it requires the City Council to decide on the number and location of polling places in consultation with election officials, ensuring each ward has a polling place unless a more accessible facility exists nearby. The law also mandates that multiple polling places in the same building must be kept separate from one another.

Maddy summaryThis bill approves amendments to the City of Burlington's charter that establish new election boundaries for the city's four electoral districts. The changes, which were previously voted on by Burlington voters in March 2023, update the legal map used to divide the city into districts for the 2024 annual meeting and all future elections. The bill incorporates specific geographic descriptions and street boundaries to define the East and Central districts, with similar detailed provisions for the remaining two districts. Once signed into law, these boundary changes will guide how the city is organized for voting purposes in upcoming elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines and protects certain health care activities related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care from civil and criminal liability. It establishes that licensed health care providers in Vermont can legally offer these services to patients regardless of where the patient is located, as long as the services are permitted under Vermont law. The law also protects insurance coverage for these services and prohibits conversion therapy from being classified as gender-affirming care. The protections apply to the provision, prescription, distribution, and use of FDA-approved medications for pregnancy termination as of January 1, 2023. The bill became effective immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the Governor in May 2023.