Rep. Josh Dobrovich

Maddy summaryH.897 requires social media platforms to block Vermont residents under 18 from creating accounts. It directly affects minors under 18 living in Vermont who would be unable to sign up for new social media profiles. The key provision mandates platforms to prohibit account creation for this age group, rather than restricting usage of existing accounts. The bill focuses on preventing new account creation for underage users, not on content moderation or parental controls. This is a direct restriction on platform access for minors under 18 within Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution designates February 11, 2026, as "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the work of disability rights groups like the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) and highlights ongoing challenges such as educational disparities and barriers in employment, housing, and transportation faced by Vermonters with disabilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these issues and the contributions of people with disabilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to VCDR.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.842) revises Vermont’s Commission on Public School Employee Health Benefits by reducing its membership from 10 to 9 members, making the Secretary of Education the chair, and limiting alternate members. It requires the Commission to cap the actuarial value of health benefit plans and consider specific factors when making decisions, while adding new dispute resolution options for negotiations. The bill directly affects public school employees and employers in Vermont, as the Commission manages health benefits for school staff. It also mandates that the Secretary of Education contract with a single third-party provider to oversee health savings accounts for school employees.

Maddy summaryHCR 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Twin Valley High School's Athletic Director and boys' soccer coach Buddy Hayford for achieving 500 career coaching victories. It recognizes his 43-year coaching career, including 10 divisional titles, two state basketball titles, and his status as Vermont's first high school soccer coach to reach 500 wins. This resolution, offered by all House members and sponsoring senators, formally congratulates Hayford and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to him and his school - **it is not a law but a symbolic gesture of appreciation**.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.825) simplifies the process for property owners to install wheelchair ramps by removing the requirement to submit a zoning permit application. It directly affects property owners seeking to make accessibility improvements and the municipal panels that review development projects. The key provision requires these panels to allow ramp construction without permits and mandates they receive training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it relates to zoning. This change aims to reduce barriers for accessible home modifications while ensuring local officials understand ADA compliance.

Maddy summaryH.830 allows Vermont students or their parents/guardians in public and approved independent schools to opt out of using electronic devices for classroom work. Schools must create policies outlining how to exercise this right, including alternative learning methods and protections against discrimination for students who choose not to use devices. The bill also prohibits schools from punishing teachers who teach without electronic devices. It becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryH.780 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat retail theft and specific drug trafficking offenses. For retail theft, it requires at least six months of consecutive prison time for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $250 value) and 12 months for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $900 value), with no suspension allowed. For drug trafficking (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, or methamphetamine), it mandates at least 12 months of consecutive prison time for trafficking offenses, increasing to 24 months if the trafficking causes death or serious injury. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific repeat or serious offenses, removing judicial discretion to reduce the minimum prison time for these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Vermont's juvenile justice process by requiring certain serious offenses committed by juveniles (aged 14-22) to be filed in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It specifically applies to: (1) violating release conditions for prior serious offenses; (2) using firearms during felonies; (3) drug trafficking; and (4) aggravated stalking. The State’s Attorney may still choose to file such cases as "youthful offender" petitions in the Family Division. This shift aims to handle these specific offenses through criminal court procedures rather than juvenile court, while allowing limited transfer options between divisions under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts ambulatory surgical centers (outpatient facilities performing surgeries) from Vermont's certificate of need approval process. It directly affects these centers by removing a state requirement they previously needed to open or expand services. The bill amends state law to specifically exclude such centers - when licensed under Chapter 49 of Vermont law - from the certificate of need rules. This change eliminates a regulatory hurdle for these facilities without altering other healthcare facility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for special approval when hospitals build or renovate psychiatric units, streamlining the process for expanding mental health services. It creates a Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity Working Group - comprising mental health officials, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals - to study bed shortages, identify barriers to expansion, and recommend a 25% increase in statewide inpatient psychiatric beds by July 2028. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 2027, with the policy changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to expand psychiatric services, the state mental health system, and patients requiring inpatient care.