Rep. Phil Pouech

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 239) would extend key rights to temporary Vermont state employees who work over 1,280 hours annually for two years. It requires temporary workers to receive comparable pay, whistleblower protections, sick/annual leave, and health insurance meeting ACA standards after six months of employment. The bill also prohibits termination without good cause and clarifies that such employees qualify as "State employees" for labor rights purposes. These changes apply to temporary workers in state agencies, colleges, and courts who meet the hour threshold, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 255 increases criminal penalties for assaulting public transit workers in Vermont. It adds up to one year in prison for a first assault offense and up to 10 years for repeat offenses against workers while they perform their duties. The bill also prohibits intentionally exposing transit workers to bodily fluids (like blood or vomit), punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. "Public transit worker" is defined to include drivers (employees or volunteers) and support staff at transit centers. The law applies to all such assaults committed while workers are on duty, excluding individuals under 18 in residential facilities.

Maddy summaryH 233 requires Vermont state agencies to execute grant agreements with nonprofits within 30 days of funding approval or award notice, and to pay approved expenses within 30 days of a valid request. It mandates updating Administrative Bulletin 5 by July 2025 to establish a uniform process for nonprofits to use indirect rates above the standard "de minimis" rate. The bill also creates an online reporting system for grantees to document delays and a public database to track these issues. A working group will analyze grant processes, including payment delays and indirect rate consistency with federal standards, and submit recommendations by September 2026. This directly affects nonprofits receiving state-funded grants by clarifying payment timelines and administrative procedures.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryH.191 prohibits Vermont from housing incarcerated people in private or for-profit correctional facilities, both within the state and out-of-state, by 2034. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to stop contracting with private entities for housing or services by January 2030 and to develop an implementation plan by November 2025 to return inmates currently held out-of-state to Vermont facilities. It allows exceptions only for facilities operated by public or nonprofit entities under interstate compacts or federal contracts. This directly affects Vermont’s Department of Corrections, current inmates in out-of-state facilities, and private prison companies with state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates February 12, 2025, as "Farm to School and Child Awareness Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes Vermont's existing Farm-to-School programs, which connect schools with local farmers to provide healthy meals and support agricultural sustainability. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network. As a ceremonial designation, it does not create new laws or funding but highlights ongoing initiatives benefiting schools, early childhood programs, and Vermont farmers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online businesses likely to be accessed by children to avoid using design features that are harmful or overly invasive of children's privacy. It defines "covered businesses" as those with online services reasonably likely to be used by minors and mandates that these businesses set privacy settings to the most protective default for children. Key provisions prohibit design features causing compulsive use (like endless scrolling) and require businesses to handle children's personal data with heightened safeguards. The law applies to Vermont-based businesses offering online products or services to minors, aiming to protect children's privacy through proactive design standards.

Maddy summaryH.208 creates Vermont's first comprehensive data privacy law, giving residents specific rights over their personal data. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent for data collection (prohibiting "dark patterns" like deceptive pop-ups), bans the sale of biometric data and sensitive health information (including gender-affirming and reproductive health data), and restricts online tracking. The law directly affects Vermont residents and any business collecting their data, including data brokers and companies using contextual advertising. Key provisions include mandatory opt-in consent for data processing, requirements for transparent privacy notices, and new protections against automated decisions affecting housing, employment, or healthcare access.

Maddy summaryH.181 extends the Building Energy Code Working Group's term and directs Vermont's Public Service Department to create a framework for measuring energy savings from building code compliance. It requires the Department to develop an annual methodology for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas reductions linked to energy-efficient construction. The bill also updates the Residential Builder Registry and addresses inconsistent enforcement of energy codes across residential (up to three stories) and commercial buildings. These changes aim to improve compliance with Vermont's energy standards, which currently apply to 54% of residential and 87% of commercial projects, supporting the state's goal of "net zero ready" buildings by 2030.