Rep. Jessica Brumsted

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's procedures for reviewing and challenging decisions to place individuals on the Child Protection Registry. It extends the timeframes for administrative reviews and appeals, allows reviews to proceed even if the person does not respond or appear, and permits virtual hearings during state emergencies. Additionally, the bill requires that children placed on the registry between ages 10 and 18 follow the same review procedures as adults. These changes apply to the Commissioner for Children and Families' Registry Review Unit and affect individuals who have been substantiated for child abuse or neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont Agency of Human Services to update specific administrative rules to use respectful language and reflect current practices. It requires the agency to submit a plan by January 1, 2024, to amend rules governing intermediate care facilities, guardianship for mentally retarded persons, Medicaid regulations, long-term care services, and vocational rehabilitation. The agency must prioritize updating the rules related to intermediate care facilities and guardianship. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies to the agency's rulemaking processes rather than directly changing how services are delivered to individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Building Energy Code Study Committee to address low compliance rates with Vermont's residential and commercial building energy standards. The committee will consist of 15 members representing government agencies, industry groups, and municipalities, and will study strategies to improve code enforcement and administration. Key recommendations may include designating the Division of Fire Safety as the statewide authority for energy code enforcement and developing funding mechanisms such as incentives and federal grants. The committee must submit its final report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2023, and will be funded with $125,000 for consultant services and member compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to fund afterschool and summer care services for children and youth in Vermont, with priority given to programs serving underserved communities. The program will be financed using revenue from the state's cannabis sales tax, which will be deposited into a dedicated special fund managed by an advisory committee. The advisory committee, composed of representatives from various state agencies and Vermont Afterschool, Inc., will oversee grant distribution and report annually on outcomes such as the number of children served and cost savings for families. Grants can be used by program operators for technical assistance, implementation, expansion, and sustainability, with administrative costs capped at $500,000 per year. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Shawna Wakeham-Smith on the tenth anniversary of her role as Director of Wish Granting at Make-A-Wish Vermont. The resolution recognizes her decade of leadership in facilitating life-changing wishes for children facing major health challenges and acknowledges her work as a liaison between families and organizations. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to both Wakeham-Smith and Make-A-Wish Vermont to honor her contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires secondary school districts in Vermont to include at least two nonvoting student members on their school boards, allowing students to participate in board discussions and provide input on policies and budgets without casting votes. Student members would be appointed by the board based on applications submitted by district residents, receive the same compensation as voting members, and attend all regular meetings with specialized training on board procedures. Additionally, serving as a student school board member would count toward flexible graduation pathways, recognizing this experience as applied or work-based learning. The bill applies only to districts providing secondary education, while elementary-only districts are encouraged but not required to include student representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding and operational capacity for Vermont's Commission on Native American Affairs by providing financial resources for staff, educational programs, and member compensation. The legislation authorizes the hiring of a full-time administrator, allocates money for educational initiatives, and establishes per diem payments for commission members who meet at least three times annually. Additionally, the bill requires the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to provide dedicated office space for the commission, including areas for staff work and meetings. These changes aim to strengthen the commission's ability to support Native American communities in Vermont through technical assistance, advocacy, and cultural development programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to improve emergency medical services in Vermont by providing $20 million annually from 2024 to 2028 to support ambulance operations, training, and equipment. It requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover emergency medical services for patients who do not need to be transported to a hospital. The legislation also establishes a refundable income tax credit for qualified emergency responders and creates a study committee to examine the EMS system. Additionally, the bill sets requirements for Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulance services and restricts transporting patients to destinations where the ambulance service has a financial interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Mental Health to create a new two-bed residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont to help people experiencing mental health crises. The facility will offer short-term stays of up to two weeks for one bed and up to four weeks for the other, providing an alternative to hospitalization. The Department must issue a request for proposals by July 1, 2023, and contract with a provider by January 1, 2024, using $515,000 in state funding for the project. This initiative aims to increase available short-term residential options while reducing reliance on inpatient psychiatric care.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits crisis pregnancy centers from advertising services they do not provide or that are designed to mislead the public, particularly regarding medical care availability and timing. It directly affects crisis pregnancy centers in Vermont by requiring them to clearly disclose whether they are licensed medical facilities and what services they actually offer. The legislation treats false advertising by these centers as an unfair or deceptive practice subject to existing consumer protection enforcement. Additionally, the bill addresses data privacy concerns by regulating how these centers collect and share personal information from visitors who may believe they are seeking medical care.