Rep. Edye Graning

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 40 establishes a licensing system for freestanding birth centers in Vermont, removing the requirement for them to obtain state approval (certificate of need) before opening. It mandates that health insurance plans and Medicaid cover prenatal, maternity, birthing, postpartum, and newborn care services provided at licensed birth centers. Birth centers must meet state safety and operational standards and pay a $250 licensing fee to operate. This aims to expand access to birth center options, which have demonstrated improved health outcomes and lower costs for mothers and babies compared to hospital births.

Maddy summaryH 30 reduces the use of seclusion and restraint on children and youth in residential programs under Vermont's Department for Children and Families (DCF). It defines these terms in law (33 V.S.A. § 3206), requires residential programs to report data consistently, and mandates DCF to update its IT system for better data collection. The bill also requires staff training on alternatives to seclusion and restraint. These changes directly affect children in DCF custody and the residential programs serving them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Department of Corrections to partner with local opioid treatment programs to provide medication for opioid use disorder (like buprenorphine or methadone) in correctional facilities. It ensures inmates with opioid use disorder can continue their prescribed medication upon admission and receive at least a 28-day supply upon release to maintain treatment continuity. The law updates existing medical care standards to mandate these partnerships through memorandums of understanding with community treatment providers. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in Vermont facilities who require opioid use disorder treatment, aligning their care with community-based treatment systems. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to improve access to evidence-based treatment during incarceration and transition to community care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's unemployment insurance system to improve how employers are charged for benefits, protect workers affected by major disasters, and strengthen protections against benefit fraud. It requires employers to be exempt from experience-rating charges when employees receive unemployment benefits due to federally declared disasters, and it updates rules for handling overpayments by allowing more flexible repayment plans and clearer waiver processes. The legislation also clarifies penalties for individuals who intentionally misrepresent information to claim benefits and mandates that the state provide written notice of rights to appeal overpayment decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Vermont's Data Privacy Act to protect consumer personal data by requiring businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent before collecting and using information. It directly affects adult residents of Vermont who use services from companies that process their personal data, while excluding individuals acting in commercial or employment contexts. Key provisions define sensitive data types like biometric, genetic, and health information, prohibit manipulative design patterns, and grant consumers rights to access, correct, and delete their data. The legislation also creates specific protections for children's online experiences and requires businesses to implement security measures and provide privacy notices.

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 Vermont to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, a national agreement that allows occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one member state to practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses. The legislation adds a new subchapter to Vermont's occupational therapy laws that establishes a "compact privilege" for qualified practitioners, enabling them to work across state lines while maintaining their home state's primary regulatory authority. Key provisions include requirements for sharing disciplinary and investigative information between states, provisions for military members and their spouses to practice where they are stationed, and support for telehealth services. The compact aims to increase public access to occupational therapy services while preserving each state's ability to protect public health and safety through its own licensing standards.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution officially recognizes May 6-12, 2024, as National Nurses Week in Vermont and designates May 9, 2024, as ANA-Vermont Hill Day at the State House. The measure honors the nursing profession by acknowledging nurses' contributions to healthcare, particularly during the pandemic, and invites the public to express gratitude to nurses on that date. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to ANA-Vermont, the organization overseeing the commemoration. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the nursing profession's importance.

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 establishes a legal framework for Vermont school districts to form regional boards of cooperative education services, allowing them to share programs and services across geographic areas. The legislation creates new definitions for "educator" and "supervisory union" while authorizing these collaborative boards to manage functions like professional development, grant applications, and specialized support for students with unique needs. By pooling resources, the bill aims to reduce duplicate costs, improve access to quality education services, and help smaller districts compete more effectively for services and funding. The law also supports the development of community schools as resource hubs that connect families with broader educational and social supports.