Rep. Bob Hooper

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to decriminalize the possession of a personal supply of regulated drugs in Vermont, changing penalties from criminal charges to a civil offense with a $50 fee. The legislation would establish a Drug Use Standards Advisory Board to set benchmarks for what constitutes a personal use supply and allow individuals with prior possession convictions to have their criminal records sealed if their amounts fall below these benchmarks. It also authorizes pilot drug-checking programs that let individuals test substances for chemical composition and contaminants to reduce overdose risks. The bill aims to shift Vermont's approach from criminal prosecution to public health strategies, redirecting resources toward prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in Vermont to offer the same Medicare supplemental insurance policies to people eligible for Medicare due to end-stage renal disease as they offer to those eligible by age or disability. The law mandates that insurers use community rating methods without medical underwriting or screening for these plans, ensuring equal access regardless of health status. It also establishes a six-month initial enrollment period for affected individuals and requires the state to collaborate with advocates to educate the public about Medicare supplemental insurance options. The changes take effect on January 1, 2024, and apply to all plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation benefits for Vermont firefighters who develop specific types of cancer. It creates a legal presumption that these cancers resulted from job-related exposures if the firefighter had clean cancer screening results before or within two years of starting their career, has at least five years of firefighting service in Vermont, is under 65 years old, and does not have a history of tobacco use within 10 years of diagnosis. The law covers leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the bladder, brain, colon, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, liver, pancreas, skin, or testicles, and applies to firefighters diagnosed within 10 years of their last active duty. The bill also recommends that fire departments keep incident reports for at least 10 years to support these claims.

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 candidates, political committees, and parties in Vermont to provide more detailed reporting on campaign finance, including tracking the original sources of funds used for contributions and expenditures. It mandates that any contribution exceeding $250 must be accompanied by a transfer record documenting the identity of individuals who provided the original funds, and all relevant financial records must be retained for at least four years. The legislation also updates reporting forms to include specific details about contributors and expenditures, requires formal identification of contributors in electioneering communications, and expands disclosure requirements for independent expenditure committees making over $1,000 in spending. These changes apply to a wide range of political actors including candidates, political parties, and independent groups, aiming to increase transparency in campaign funding without changing contribution limits or election rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to support community nurses who work in partnership with Vermont municipalities to provide health services. The Department of Health would administer grants of up to $10,000 per municipality to fund these nurse programs, with priority given to communities establishing new programs. To qualify, municipalities must demonstrate nonprofit or municipal financial oversight, legislative approval, and a plan for ongoing funding after grant eligibility ends. The legislation appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2024 and intends to provide the same amount annually thereafter, aiming to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require individuals in Vermont to obtain a license from the Department of Public Safety before purchasing a semiautomatic firearm. To get a license, applicants must submit fingerprints, provide criminal and mental health history information, complete an approved firearms safety training course, and pay a $35 fee, with the Department reviewing applications within 90 days. The license is valid for two years and must be renewed, and sellers are prohibited from selling semiautomatic firearms to unlicensed individuals. The law defines semiautomatic firearms as weapons that use cartridge energy to eject spent casings and require a separate trigger pull for each shot, and it takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Building Energy Code Study Committee to address low compliance rates with Vermont's residential and commercial building energy standards. The committee will consist of 15 members representing government agencies, industry groups, and municipalities, and will study strategies to improve code enforcement and administration. Key recommendations may include designating the Division of Fire Safety as the statewide authority for energy code enforcement and developing funding mechanisms such as incentives and federal grants. The committee must submit its final report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2023, and will be funded with $125,000 for consultant services and member compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow certain public employees in Vermont to receive workers' compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder if it is diagnosed by a mental health professional. It specifically covers police officers, rescue or ambulance workers, firefighters, state employees, and judiciary employees by creating a legal presumption that their PTSD was caused by their work duties rather than personal factors. The law requires that the diagnosis occur within three years of the employee's last active duty date for them to be eligible for benefits. This change would take effect on July 1, 2023, and would require employers to pay compensation claims for qualifying cases unless evidence proves the condition resulted from non-work-related causes.