Rep. Emilie Krasnow

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an Eviction Diversion Program within the Vermont State Housing Authority to help prevent evictions for nonpayment of rent. The program would provide up to $1,600,000 in funding and hire a coordinator to screen eligible tenants and landlords, connect them with financial assistance, and facilitate mediation to resolve disputes. Tenants qualify if they owe three months or less in rent, have income at or below 100% of the area median, and meet specific hardship criteria such as medical emergencies or job loss. If eligible parties agree to participate, the bill suspends legal eviction timelines while they work toward a resolution, and upon successful mediation, funds up to $3,000 can be paid directly to landlords on behalf of tenants. Additionally, the bill requires courts to seal tenant privacy records in eviction cases until a final eviction order is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to decriminalize the possession of a personal supply of regulated drugs in Vermont, changing penalties from criminal charges to a civil offense with a $50 fee. The legislation would establish a Drug Use Standards Advisory Board to set benchmarks for what constitutes a personal use supply and allow individuals with prior possession convictions to have their criminal records sealed if their amounts fall below these benchmarks. It also authorizes pilot drug-checking programs that let individuals test substances for chemical composition and contaminants to reduce overdose risks. The bill aims to shift Vermont's approach from criminal prosecution to public health strategies, redirecting resources toward prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands protections for Medicaid beneficiaries' estates by limiting when the state can recover medical costs from their assets after death. It directly affects families of deceased Medicaid recipients in Vermont, particularly those with low income or caregiving contributions to the decedent. The law prohibits estate recovery against homesteads that pass to heirs with income below 300% of the federal poverty level or to siblings who financially supported the decedent to avoid nursing home placement. It also protects sole income-producing assets of heirs and homesteads belonging to refugees. The changes apply immediately upon passage and require state funding to cover certain homestead recoveries that would otherwise be owed to the federal government.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent health insurers from listing specific mental health or substance use treatment services on explanation of benefits forms for adult dependents. It directly affects young adults aged 18 to 26 who are covered under their parents' health insurance plans and are unmarried with no dependents of their own. The law requires the Department of Financial Regulation to define which services count as mental health or substance use treatment, while consulting with health and mental health experts. The bill also clarifies that "adult dependent" includes full-time students at out-of-state colleges and those living in Vermont. These changes would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of Vermont to cover all costs for public schools that need remediation, mitigation, reconstruction, or new construction due to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination. It applies to public schools tested by the Agency of Natural Resources after 2015 that show PCB levels exceeding the state's action threshold. The legislation defines "public school" according to existing state law and ensures eligible schools receive funding or reimbursement for necessary cleanup and rebuilding expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors South Burlington City Clerk Donna Kinville for her dedicated public service. It recognizes her achievements, including her leadership in digitizing the city's land records and her election as Vermont Municipal Clerk of the Year. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Kinville and her office. This is a commemorative measure that does not change laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Medicaid program to provide coverage for one breast pump per child born to Medicaid beneficiaries. It allows pregnant Medicaid recipients to order and receive a breast pump before the baby is born, but only after reaching 27 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation directs the Agency of Human Services to seek necessary federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement this coverage change. If federal approval is not needed, the coverage provisions would take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new single-family homes and small apartment buildings with three or fewer units in Vermont to be designed for accessibility, adaptability, or visitability for people with disabilities. Starting July 1, 2024, ground-floor units or those accessible by elevator must be fully accessible or adaptable, while upper floors must be visitable. Housing authorities must also give priority to tenants with disabilities when renting accessible units. The law includes exemptions for historic buildings where compliance would destroy their significance and requires that accessibility features not be reduced during future renovations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act by legally defining "constructive discharge" to include situations where working conditions are so difficult or conduct is so outrageous that a reasonable employee would feel forced to resign. It also updates the state's legislative leave law to ensure all employed legislators can take time off for official duties without losing job status, seniority, or benefits, while requiring employers to maintain insurance and benefits at the same level as if the legislator were working. Employers must provide written notice within 14 days of filing for election or accepting a new position, and may appeal to the State Labor Relations Board if they can demonstrate that granting leave would cause unreasonable hardship. The changes apply to employers with more than five employees and take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit individuals from knowingly possessing firearms or deadly weapons on school property, including school buildings and buses. It directly affects students, staff, visitors, and anyone else who might enter school grounds. The law allows exceptions for law enforcement officers performing their duties or when school officials specifically authorize weapon possession for instructional purposes. Violations would result in criminal penalties, with first-time offenders facing up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, and repeat offenders facing up to three years in jail or a $5,000 fine. The bill defines school property broadly to include any property owned, leased, controlled, or subcontracted by a school.