Rep. Karen Dolan

Maddy summaryH 64 creates a process for victims of sexual assault to obtain emergency protective orders outside regular court hours, weekends, and holidays. It requires the Court Administrator to establish procedures where an authorized person can receive requests (including electronically), administer a sworn statement over the phone, and relay the case to a judicial officer for a decision. This directly affects individuals seeking immediate protection from sexual assault when courts are closed. The judicial officer decides solely based on the submitted information, and if approved, the order is delivered to law enforcement for service. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 25 amends Vermont law to replace fixed fees for the Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program with an income-based fee structure. It requires the Department of Health to set fees based on an individual’s gross income relative to the federal poverty level: people earning 175% or less of the federal poverty level pay no fees, while those earning up to 575% qualify for discounted fees. Participants must disclose income confidentially for fee assessment, and collected fees will fund the program’s operations. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with implementing rules due by January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryH.18 would reclassify third-time nonmoving license violations (such as parking tickets) as civil offenses instead of criminal ones for drivers with suspended licenses. Specifically, it changes penalties for individuals who operate a vehicle with a suspended license after their third nonmoving violation within a two-year period, shifting from potential jail time or large fines to civil penalties like fines and community service. This applies only to nonmoving violations (not moving traffic offenses like speeding), affecting repeat offenders who commit nonmoving violations after multiple license suspensions. The bill, if passed, would take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's restorative justice program by authorizing the Attorney General to create a state-funded diversion project for juveniles charged with criminal offenses or delinquent acts. It allows law enforcement and prosecutors to refer youth to community-based restorative justice providers before formal charges are filed, and permits prosecutors to refer those charged with certain misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies after charges are filed. The Attorney General will fund these programs through grants or contracts with local municipalities and organizations, with the ability to require local financial contributions. The bill requires annual reporting on program outcomes, including data on referrals, demographics, offense types, and completion rates, while establishing policies to ensure victims are informed and can participate in the restorative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates Aziza Malik, an elementary school teacher in Burlington, on being named the 2024 Vermont Teacher of the Year. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves to formally recognize her achievement and the work of the state's education agency. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to both Aziza Malik and Champlain Elementary School. This type of bill has no legal effect beyond acknowledging the award and the recipient's contributions to education.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Vermont Veterans' Home Board to establish a nursing home in Vermont that provides services and supports to Vermont veterans who do not currently reside at the Home. The legislation requires the new facility to comply with all applicable state and federal licensing and regulatory requirements. By adding a new subdivision to the relevant statute, the bill formally expands the Board's powers and duties to include this new service option. The measure was signed into law by the Governor in June 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont. It aims to raise public awareness about mental health challenges and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to NAMI Vermont and the state Commissioner of Mental Health. This is a symbolic measure that does not create new laws or require funding, but rather serves to highlight the importance of mental health support during the designated month.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws to strengthen protections against child sexual abuse by clarifying that manipulating a child for sexual contact is prohibited. It directly affects adults who may exploit children through emotional or psychological pressure to engage in sexual activities. The key provision adds the phrase "with intent" to the legal language, ensuring that deliberate manipulation is explicitly covered under the statute. The legislation reflects findings that most child sexual abuse is committed by someone known to the child and their family. Once signed into law, it provides clearer legal grounds for prosecuting cases involving coercive manipulation of minors for sexual purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's retail theft laws by modifying penalties based on the value of stolen goods and the number of prior offenses. It directly affects individuals accused of shoplifting or stealing merchandise from retail stores. The law establishes that taking merchandise without paying is a crime, with penalties ranging from fines up to $2,500 or imprisonment up to 10 years depending on the theft amount and offense history. Stolen items valued at $900 or less face graduated penalties for first, second, and subsequent offenses, while thefts exceeding $900 carry a maximum fine of $1,000 or up to 10 years in prison. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs state officials to study how other states handle sealing criminal history records and create a process for sealing records without requiring a formal petition. The Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee will review different states' rules about how long records must remain open before they can be sealed and who can access sealed records. A separate task force led by the Chief Superior Judge will examine petitionless sealing procedures and recommend a system for sealing records without court petitions. Both groups must submit their recommendations to the legislature by late 2024, and the bill takes effect immediately upon passage.