Rep. Monique Priestley

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 153) amends Vermont law to expand who can request certified copies of birth and death certificates. It adds aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews to the existing list of eligible family members, which previously included parents, siblings, grandparents, and other close relatives. The change directly affects these extended family members seeking official records for personal, legal, or medical purposes. The amendment to 18 V.S.A. § 5016 takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Vermont Secretary of Natural Resources to authorize temporary pilot projects (up to one year) that treat or destroy "emerging contaminants" without requiring standard permits. It directly affects researchers, companies, or organizations testing new methods to address pollutants like hazardous chemicals or substances with health advisories. Key provisions include requiring detailed environmental impact assessments in applications, mandating monitoring during the project, and requiring post-project reports on effectiveness and any unexpected discharges. The Secretary can deny authorization if risks to health or the environment are unreasonable, ensuring safeguards while accelerating innovation for future cleanup solutions.

Maddy summaryH.147 establishes the Recreational Trails Compensation Study Committee to examine whether landowners who allow public recreational trails on their property should receive compensation or benefits. The committee, composed of state officials, trail organizations, landowners, and experts, will review current trail access costs, economic impacts on Vermont, and compensation models used in other states. It must submit a report to the legislature by December 2026 with recommendations on potential compensation systems, trail standards, and new trail development criteria. This bill does not create immediate compensation requirements but mandates a study to inform future policy. The study will be funded with $250,000 in state funds for consultant support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans and Vermont Medicaid to cover biomarker testing when supported by specific evidence, such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients needing these tests (e.g., for cancer diagnosis or treatment) and insurers/Medicaid, mandating coverage for tests analyzing genes, proteins, or other biological markers in blood or tissue. Key provisions include limiting disruptions in care (e.g., avoiding repeated biopsies) and defining biomarker testing broadly to include advanced genetic sequencing. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for new plans, with Medicaid coverage pending CMS approval.

Maddy summaryH 124 requires Vermont's Commissioner of Financial Regulation to produce an annual report to the General Assembly by January 15 each year, starting in 2026. The report must detail regulatory activities (like examinations and enforcement actions), financial conditions affecting consumers, regulatory fee analysis, emerging industry trends, and recommendations. It directly affects the Commissioner's office and the General Assembly, aiming to increase transparency about how the Department oversees banking, insurance, and securities. The bill creates a new reporting requirement under 8 V.S.A. § 25 with specific content mandates but does not change existing regulations or fees.

Maddy summaryHCR 8 is a procedural resolution designating January 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It symbolically recognizes the importance of mental health care parity with physical health care, referencing Vermont law (8 V.S.A. § 4089b) that requires equal treatment. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share a copy with mental health advocacy organizations present at the State House on that date. This is a ceremonial gesture with no new policy or funding changes, solely intended to highlight ongoing advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care sharing organizations that aren't licensed insurance providers in Vermont to annually report detailed financial and operational data to the state's Financial Regulation Commissioner. It affects entities offering "health care sharing plans" that facilitate payment for health care costs but operate outside standard insurance regulations. Organizations must submit specific information including participant numbers (individuals, households, employers), total fees collected, reimbursement requests processed, denied claims, and details about third-party partners. The Commissioner will compile these reports into a public annual summary posted online. This aims to increase transparency for Vermont residents using these non-insurance health care arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 107) expands Vermont's anti-SLAPP law to protect individuals who file good faith reports or complaints about sex offenses or sexual harassment. It adds these reports to the list of protected activities under the existing law, which prevents lawsuits designed to silence public speech on matters of public interest. The law allows defendants to file a "special motion to strike" if a lawsuit targets such reports and lacks factual or legal basis, with courts requiring plaintiffs to prove the report was unfounded and caused actual harm. This directly affects people reporting sex-related misconduct by shielding them from retaliatory civil lawsuits, while excluding criminal cases and healthcare-related claims.

Maddy summaryH 97 prohibits firearms and deadly weapons in Vermont schools, school property, and childcare centers, with limited exceptions. It directly affects students, staff, and visitors at these locations by making unauthorized possession a crime punishable by fines or jail time (up to 1 year for first offense, 3 years for repeat offenses). Key exceptions include law enforcement officers on duty, authorized school personnel for specific purposes (like instruction), and firearms at childcare centers located in a person’s home. The bill defines "school property" broadly to include leased or controlled areas and clarifies it doesn’t prevent other charges like assault.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for "earned wage access services" in Vermont, requiring providers to obtain a state license before offering these services. It defines key terms like "earned but unpaid income" (wages owed but not yet paid) and "provider" (businesses delivering pre-pay advances), and distinguishes between direct-to-consumer providers and employer-integrated providers. The core mechanism mandates licensing for all providers (excluding certain federally insured financial institutions), with applications requiring details about service types, fees, and business history. This directly affects workers accessing early pay and businesses offering these services, aiming to create oversight for a growing financial product.