Rep. Taylor Small

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over a ten-year period. It would begin with primary care coverage in the first year, add preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and expand to additional services in subsequent years based on recommendations from an advisory group. The legislation requires the Green Mountain Care Board to analyze and report on financing sustainability, economic impact, and cost containment measures before full implementation. It also seeks a federal waiver to adjust health insurance benefits and funding to avoid duplication with Green Mountain Care coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill would limit how much landlords in Vermont can raise rent each year and restrict the maximum amount of security deposits they can charge. Rent increases would be capped at the average of the Consumer Price Index over the previous 12 months or six percent, whichever is lower, unless landlords can prove higher costs for repairs or other urgent needs. Security deposits would be limited to one month's rent and could be applied as the final month's rent if the tenant leaves the property in good condition. These changes would directly affect residential tenants and property owners across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 10 to 12 years old, with exceptions for murder cases involving children under 10. It also establishes new restrictions on how children in secure facilities can be disciplined, banning solitary confinement and corporal punishment except in limited emergency situations where staff must check on the child every 15 minutes and release them within three hours. Additionally, the law requires courts to consider early childhood trauma and adverse experiences as mitigating factors when sentencing individuals under 18, allowing judges to deviate from mandatory minimum sentences. These changes directly affect how Vermont handles juvenile offenders and the conditions of their confinement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to manage all biosolids and domestic septage within the state as Class B materials, prohibiting their classification or use as higher-quality Class A or exceptional quality biosolids. The legislation establishes a testing program that facilities must follow before using or selling these waste products on land, with results made available to the public upon request. Rules developed under the bill will determine testing frequencies and parameters based on facility size, service area characteristics, and existing data, while also considering soil conditions when applying waste to fields. The changes take effect on January 1, 2024, with a one-year transition period allowing existing exceptional quality biosolids to be used or sold until July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors organizations and individuals working to improve rural broadband access in Vermont. It recognizes the Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and related groups like the Vermont Communications Union Districts Association and the Vermont Community Broadband Board for their efforts in building broadband networks. The resolution acknowledges past legislative actions that created funding and oversight structures to support these broadband initiatives. It does not change any laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the achievements of these groups in expanding internet access to over 200 municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restrict how employers in Vermont can use electronic monitoring and automated decision systems to manage employees. It requires employers to limit monitoring to specific purposes like ensuring safety, tracking work hours, or verifying compliance with labor laws, and mandates that monitoring be the least invasive option possible. Employers must provide detailed written notice to employees at least 15 days before starting monitoring, explaining what data will be collected, how it will be used, who will access it, and how long it will be kept. The law also requires annual lists of all monitoring systems in use and allows exceptions for monitoring suspected illegal activity or violations of rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Vermont Department of Health to report on needle exchange program guidelines and explore options for peer-operated programs, while also clarifying that needles and syringes distributed through approved community-based programs are not considered drug paraphernalia. It mandates that Medicaid coverage for medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder be provided without prior authorization when prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals within state guidelines, and removes prior authorization requirements for associated counseling and behavioral therapies. The legislation also directs the Department of Vermont Health Access to conduct research on medication quantity limits, preferred medications, and pharmacy override procedures, with findings to be reported to state committees by January 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the reimbursement rate paid to organizations that provide home-delivered meals for elderly and disabled individuals by $2.00 per meal in fiscal year 2024. The funding comes from a $2.3 million appropriation to the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, which will be distributed to meal providers based on the increased rate. Additionally, the bill requires the department to submit a report by November 15, 2023, evaluating the Meals on Wheels program and offering recommendations for its long-term sustainability. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and directly impact the financial support available to organizations serving vulnerable populations through home-delivered nutrition programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces several employment protections for workers in Vermont, including requirements for pay transparency, anti-discrimination measures, schedule stability, and expense reimbursement. It mandates that employers disclose pay scales to job applicants and current employees, prohibits using past salary information to limit new offers, and requires companies with 10 or more employees to submit gender and race breakdowns of employee compensation to the Department of Labor. The legislation also expands wage discrimination protections to include race and gender identity, requires employers to provide at least 14 days notice of work schedules with specific exceptions for changes, and obligates employers to reimburse necessary work-related expenses. These changes directly affect employers and employees across various industries in the state.