Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Repair Act, aims to improve access to repair services for agricultural and forestry equipment by ensuring independent repair providers and equipment owners can obtain necessary parts, tools, and documentation. The legislation addresses challenges such as limited availability of authorized repair shops in rural areas, workforce shortages, and restrictions on software-related repairs that may prevent independent technicians from fixing equipment safely and effectively. By establishing clear definitions for key terms and promoting equitable access to repair resources, the bill seeks to extend equipment lifespans, reduce costs for farmers and foresters, and support Vermont's agricultural and forestry sectors. The measure does not mandate specific repair practices but creates a framework to facilitate fair access to the information and components needed for maintenance and repairs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for overdose prevention centers in Vermont, allowing supervised spaces where individuals can consume pre-obtained drugs under the care of trained staff. The centers would provide harm reduction services such as sterile needle distribution, drug checking, overdose reversal medication, first aid, and referrals to addiction treatment. The legislation grants immunity from arrest, prosecution, and civil liability to participants, staff, and property owners for activities related to drug use within these centers, though immunity does not extend to driving violations or unrelated civil claims. A pilot program is funded with $1.1 million in 2025 to support the City of Burlington in opening a center, with ongoing funding intended through 2028. The Department of Health must develop operating guidelines by September 2024 and conduct a study on the program's impact by December 2024.
Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds for soybeans and cereal grains, aiming to protect pollinators like bees that are essential to the state's agriculture and ecosystems. The law prohibits dealers and farmers from selling or planting these treated seeds, with an exemption process available for specific agricultural emergencies that requires pest management training, risk assessments, and record-keeping. Neonicotinoids are a widely used class of insecticides known to be highly toxic to pollinators, and the legislation aligns Vermont with similar restrictions adopted by other states and regions. The bill amends state pesticide laws to define neonicotinoid-treated articles and establishes the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to issue limited exemptions under strict conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, a national agreement that allows occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one member state to practice in other member states without obtaining additional licenses. The legislation adds a new subchapter to Vermont's occupational therapy laws that establishes a "compact privilege" for qualified practitioners, enabling them to work across state lines while maintaining their home state's primary regulatory authority. Key provisions include requirements for sharing disciplinary and investigative information between states, provisions for military members and their spouses to practice where they are stationed, and support for telehealth services. The compact aims to increase public access to occupational therapy services while preserving each state's ability to protect public health and safety through its own licensing standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Vermont Veterans' Home Board to establish a nursing home in Vermont that provides services and supports to Vermont veterans who do not currently reside at the Home. The legislation requires the new facility to comply with all applicable state and federal licensing and regulatory requirements. By adding a new subdivision to the relevant statute, the bill formally expands the Board's powers and duties to include this new service option. The measure was signed into law by the Governor in June 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's retail theft laws by modifying penalties based on the value of stolen goods and the number of prior offenses. It directly affects individuals accused of shoplifting or stealing merchandise from retail stores. The law establishes that taking merchandise without paying is a crime, with penalties ranging from fines up to $2,500 or imprisonment up to 10 years depending on the theft amount and offense history. Stolen items valued at $900 or less face graduated penalties for first, second, and subsequent offenses, while thefts exceeding $900 carry a maximum fine of $1,000 or up to 10 years in prison. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's emergency medical services laws to update payment rates and improve system coordination. It changes how EMS providers are reimbursed by replacing a specific Medicare rate with a broader applicable Medicare rate. The legislation also requires the EMS Advisory Committee to incorporate nationally recognized best practices into statewide system design. Additionally, it mandates coordination between the EMS Advisory Committee, the Department of Health, and other task forces to align their recommendations and system designs. These changes directly affect emergency medical services providers and the state agencies responsible for overseeing the EMS system.
Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Senator Robert A. Starr of the Orleans District for his decades of distinguished public service in Vermont. The document recognizes his long career in local government, including roles on the town zoning board, school board, and civil authority, as well as his extensive legislative service spanning over 45 years. It highlights his leadership on agricultural issues, particularly dairy farming, and his work supporting Vermont's farmland preservation efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Senator Starr as an official acknowledgment of his contributions.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution urges the United States to create a National Human Rights Institution, a type of independent government body that other 120 countries have established to protect and promote human rights. The bill is based on United Nations recommendations and international standards that encourage nations to set up such institutions to oversee human rights issues. It would direct the Secretary of State to send the resolution to President Biden, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and Vermont's congressional representatives. The measure does not create the institution itself but formally calls for its establishment and asks federal officials to consider the request.
Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill requires health insurance plans to cover colorectal cancer screening without any cost-sharing fees for insured individuals aged 50 and older. The law mandates that insurers offer two screening options for average-risk individuals: annual fecal occult blood testing with a sigmoidoscopy every five years, or a colonoscopy every ten years, following U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. For people at high risk due to family history, genetic conditions, prior cancer, or chronic digestive diseases, the bill requires coverage for screening and tests as recommended by their treating physician. The coverage must include all associated costs such as lab services, physician fees, and facility use without deductibles or co-pays, and applies to plans issued on or after January 1, 2025.