Rep. Taylor Small

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont Agency of Human Services to update specific administrative rules to use respectful language and reflect current practices. It requires the agency to submit a plan by January 1, 2024, to amend rules governing intermediate care facilities, guardianship for mentally retarded persons, Medicaid regulations, long-term care services, and vocational rehabilitation. The agency must prioritize updating the rules related to intermediate care facilities and guardianship. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to the agency's rulemaking processes rather than directly changing how services are delivered to individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to fund afterschool and summer care services for children and youth in Vermont, with priority given to programs serving underserved communities. The program will be financed using revenue from the state's cannabis sales tax, which will be deposited into a dedicated special fund managed by an advisory committee. The advisory committee, composed of representatives from various state agencies and Vermont Afterschool, Inc., will oversee grant distribution and report annually on outcomes such as the number of children served and cost savings for families. Grants can be used by program operators for technical assistance, implementation, expansion, and sustainability, with administrative costs capped at $500,000 per year. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase pay and expand benefits for Vermont state legislators by making them eligible for the state employees' health insurance plan at no cost to themselves. It would establish an annual salary equal to half the statewide average wage, with higher amounts for the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore, and include reimbursements for child care, dependent care, and overnight parking for those with mobility limitations. The legislation also provides per diem compensation and expense reimbursement for legislators-elect attending pre-session training and meetings, while updating rules for out-of-state committee business to include mileage, lodging, and meal reimbursement. These changes would be implemented through amendments to existing state statutes governing legislative compensation and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how retirement payments are adjusted for teachers in Vermont's State Teachers' Retirement System based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. It establishes new caps on annual increases and decreases, limiting adjustments to five percent for those who retired before July 2022 and four percent for those retiring on or after that date. The legislation also changes how cost-of-living decreases are handled, allowing them to offset future increases rather than immediately reducing benefits. Additionally, the bill appropriates $3.7 million in state funds for the 2024 fiscal year to cover the system's employer contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires secondary school districts in Vermont to include at least two nonvoting student members on their school boards, allowing students to participate in board discussions and provide input on policies and budgets without casting votes. Student members would be appointed by the board based on applications submitted by district residents, receive the same compensation as voting members, and attend all regular meetings with specialized training on board procedures. Additionally, serving as a student school board member would count toward flexible graduation pathways, recognizing this experience as applied or work-based learning. The bill applies only to districts providing secondary education, while elementary-only districts are encouraged but not required to include student representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts that do not operate their own elementary or high schools to designate up to three eligible schools to serve as the public schools for their students. These designated schools can be public schools in Vermont or other states, or recognized independent schools that meet specific criteria such as serving as regional career centers or being designated as public schools under older laws. The legislation also repeals the definition and approval process for independent schools while keeping the recognized independent school enrollment process intact. Additionally, it creates a new definition for therapeutic schools and adjusts special education tuition provisions. The bill allows school districts to pay tuition to designated schools for their students without requiring a separate vote from the district's electorate, though some existing options for tuition payment remain available.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Thermal Energy Network Act, would bring thermal energy networks under the regulatory authority of Vermont's Public Utility Commission. It directly affects companies and organizations that build or operate systems that distribute heat from noncombustion sources like geothermal energy to buildings for heating, cooling, and hot water. The legislation requires a certificate of public good from the commission before anyone can construct such networks, and it grants these networks the same rights as electric and gas utilities to place infrastructure on private or public land. The commission must also create rules to simplify permitting, prioritize serving low and moderate income customers, and allow small networks serving fewer than 50 people to receive approval within 31 days.