Maddy summaryH.91 establishes the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing (VHEARTH) Program to replace existing homelessness services. It directly affects Vermonters experiencing homelessness, including children, seniors, and Black residents who face disproportionate homelessness rates (5.6x higher than white residents). Key provisions include ending reliance on hotel/motel stays for shelter, expanding permanent emergency shelters, and requiring regional advisory councils with diverse representation to guide the program. The bill aims to eliminate unsheltered homelessness by 2027 and transition people to permanent housing, using funds previously allocated to the General Assistance Program (phased out by 2027). Note: The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 11, 2025.
Rep. Rey Garofano
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHCR 126 is a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2024 Spirit of the ADA Award winners, which are businesses and nonprofit organizations recognized for their commitment to employing people with disabilities. The resolution also directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the award recipients and the Governor’s Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities.
Maddy summaryThis resolution, HCR 81, honors the life and public service of Brenda Churchill, a former Bakersfield Select Board member and advocate for transgender rights. It extends the Vermont General Assembly's condolences to her family and recognizes her contributions to local and state government, including her work on the Vermont Commission on Women.
Maddy summaryHCR 128 is a House concurrent resolution that designates May 6, 2025, as Homelessness Awareness Day in Vermont. This resolution formally recognizes the issue of homelessness within the state and directs a copy to be sent to the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont.
Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver of Winooski High School on her selection as the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year. It also recognizes Jeremy DeMink of Edmunds Middle School and Sonya Shedd of Wolcott Elementary School as Distinguished Finalists for the award.
Maddy summaryHCR 117 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates Andrew Kasprisin, a science teacher at Essex Middle School, for being named the 2025 Vermont finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send him a copy.
Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War, which took place on April 30, 1975. The resolution directs the General Assembly to acknowledge this anniversary and sends copies to the Vermont State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion Department of Vermont, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Vermont.
Maddy summaryHCR 113 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the winning middle and high school teams of the 2025 Jr Iron Chef VT competition. It recognizes their culinary achievements and promotes Vermont's Farm to School program.
Maddy summaryHCR 83 is a House concurrent resolution that congratulates the 2024 Green Mountain Council Class of Eagle Scouts for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. It formally recognizes the dedication and accomplishment of 55 named individuals and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to each honored Eagle Scout and the Green Mountain Council.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 8 (HR 8) is a resolution from the Vermont House of Representatives expressing strong objection to the arrest and detention of Mohsen Mahdawi by U.S. immigration authorities. It advocates that Mr. Mahdawi, a U.S. permanent resident, be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director, and the Vermont Congressional Delegation.