Rep. Alyssa Black

Maddy summaryThis bill would make it a civil offense to place surveillance devices on private property without the owner's consent. It directly affects individuals who install cameras or recording equipment on private land and property owners seeking to protect their privacy. The key provision requires obtaining permission from the property owner before deploying any surveillance equipment, establishing clear boundaries for where such devices can be used. This change aims to prevent unauthorized monitoring while maintaining existing criminal penalties for more serious violations. The legislation focuses on civil liability rather than criminal prosecution for this specific violation.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Affordable Heat Act, which establishes a Clean Heat Standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heating in Vermont's residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The program requires energy companies and heating fuel sellers to earn tradeable clean heat credits by delivering low-carbon heating technologies, efficiency improvements, or weatherization services to customers. The Public Utility Commission will manage the credit system and ensure the program protects low-income households and minimizes costs for all energy users.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal licensing system for freestanding birth centers in Vermont, requiring operators to obtain a license from the Department of Health before opening or running such facilities. The legislation mandates that health insurance plans and Medicaid cover prenatal, maternity, postpartum, and newborn services at birth centers, while exempting these facilities from certificate of need reviews. To obtain a license, birth centers must meet minimum standards for health, safety, sanitation, and patient complaint processes, with renewal simplified for centers already accredited by national organizations. The Department of Health will conduct inspections, post violation reports online, and maintain confidential records while adopting rules to align with national birth center standards.