Rep. Ashley Bartley

Maddy summaryH.691 requires health insurance plans to cover breastfeeding equipment, education, and counseling (including lactation support) without cost-sharing like deductibles or copays. It also mandates hospitals with maternity units to adopt infant-feeding policies promoting breastfeeding, aligned with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and to communicate these policies to staff and patients. The bill directly affects mothers and newborns by improving access to breastfeeding support through insurance and hospital practices. Key provisions include eliminating out-of-pocket costs for breastfeeding services and requiring hospitals to implement evidence-based feeding policies. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's existing survivors benefits program to include law enforcement officers. It amends Chapter 181 of state law to explicitly define "emergency personnel" to cover law enforcement officers, granting their survivors the same monetary benefits currently available to firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Survivors (spouses, children, or parents) of law enforcement officers who die "in the line of duty" or from an occupation-related illness may request benefits through the Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board within 24 months of death. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility criteria but extends existing protections to law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new type of business trust called a "stewardship trust" in Vermont, allowing owners to establish trusts for ongoing business purposes without needing a specific beneficiary. It permits these trusts to hold ownership in corporations, LLCs, and other business entities while requiring a three-member "trust stewardship committee" to manage operations, make decisions by majority vote, and report annually. The trust must pursue both economic and non-economic business goals, with the committee having authority to appoint trustees, remove officers, and direct distributions. This affects Vermont business owners seeking long-term succession planning, as it modifies trust law to provide a structured framework for business continuity beyond traditional charitable or beneficiary-based trusts.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a rule requiring permits for road construction over certain lengths (800+ feet per road or 2,000+ feet total), simplifying development for clustered housing projects. It extends until 2030 exemptions for priority housing projects in designated downtowns, growth centers, or neighborhood areas with existing infrastructure. The bill also allows accessory dwelling units in single-family homes and small conversions of commercial buildings to housing (up to 29 units) without permits until 2030. These changes directly affect developers, homeowners, and municipalities by reducing regulatory barriers for housing construction in targeted areas.

Maddy summaryH 401 raises the weekly sales exemption limit for home-based food businesses (cottage food operations) from $125 to a higher amount adjusted for inflation. This change directly affects small-scale home bakers and producers of non-refrigerated foods like baked goods, jams, and dried snacks who currently must pay licensing fees once weekly sales exceed $125. The bill amends licensing fee rules to exempt these operations from fees when annual sales remain below the new threshold. It aims to support small producers by reducing regulatory barriers as economic conditions have changed since the original exemption was set. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law in June 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 151) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Casella Waste Systems, Inc. on its 50th anniversary. It formally recognizes the company's founding in 1975, growth to over 5,000 employees across 10 states, sustainability initiatives (including EV fleets and the Casella Center for Circular Economy), and community contributions. The resolution has no legislative effect - only directing the Secretary of State to send a copy to the company. It directly affects Casella Waste Systems, Inc., as the recipient of this symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHCR 128 is a House concurrent resolution that designates May 6, 2025, as Homelessness Awareness Day in Vermont. This resolution formally recognizes the issue of homelessness within the state and directs a copy to be sent to the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont.

Maddy summaryHCR 118 is a House Concurrent Resolution that commends Team Trumie and Truman Compton for their advocacy, community engagement, and efforts to foster public awareness and acceptance of autism. The resolution specifically recognizes their work in raising funds, donating resources, and promoting understanding of autism within the community.

Maddy summaryHCR 122 is a House concurrent resolution that officially recognizes the week of May 6-12 as National Nurses Week in Vermont. This resolution serves to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of nurses within the state.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War, which took place on April 30, 1975. The resolution directs the General Assembly to acknowledge this anniversary and sends copies to the Vermont State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion Department of Vermont, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Vermont.