Rep. Leonora Dodge

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 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 directs Vermont's Department of Mental Health to work with the Department of Health on studying suicide rates in the state. The study will focus on ways to reduce access to lethal means, identify gaps in prevention services, and gather data on suicide methods used in Vermont. The legislation requires these departments to examine current suicide incidence and develop strategies to decrease suicide rates through evidence-based analysis. This measure affects state health agencies and aims to improve suicide prevention efforts through systematic data collection and service gap identification.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Agency of Transportation to develop a funding plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding access to efficient, low-cost transportation options. It establishes a working group to study regional climate initiatives and implements a self-funded fee system that charges higher fees for less efficient vehicles while rebating funds to owners of more efficient cars. The legislation also allocates money for electric vehicle incentives, e-bike programs, public transit improvements, and infrastructure updates, while requiring the agency to work with Amtrak and provide training on complete streets design to municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect the academic freedom of public educators in Vermont by affirming their right to teach about gender identity and systemic and structural racism. It directly affects teachers and school staff in the state's public education system. The legislation would establish legal protections ensuring educators can address these topics without facing retaliation or censorship. The bill is currently in its early stages and has been referred to the Committee on Education for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce the use of cash bail in Vermont by prohibiting it for most misdemeanor cases charged through a citation or eligible for expungement, while allowing courts to set bail up to $200 only when flight risk is a concern. It requires multiple criminal justice agencies to collaborate and submit recommendations by December 2023 on how to eliminate cash bail entirely for mitigating flight risk. The legislation also mandates the Department of Corrections to collect and report racial data on pretrial detainees and directs the Judiciary to create an electronic notification system for court hearings by July 2025 to reduce missed appearances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Commissioner for Children and Families to annually adjust the maximum financial assistance amounts for families participating in the Reach Up program. The adjustments will be based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents data. The legislation also allows housing allowances to be increased up to 120 percent of fair market rents for families that include an individual with a disability. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2023, and directly affect families receiving financial assistance through the Reach Up program.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces several measures aimed at improving firearm safety and accountability in Vermont. It requires firearms not in immediate possession to be securely stored separately from ammunition, mandates dealers to post storage guidelines and provide written safety information, and establishes criminal and civil liability for unsafe storage that leads to injury or death. The legislation also adds a 10-day waiting period for all firearm sales, allows family members to petition for emergency risk protection orders, prohibits firearm possession at licensed alcohol-serving venues, and bars individuals convicted of hate-motivated crimes from owning firearms. Additionally, the bill includes funding to help residents purchase secure storage equipment.