Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Type I and II school buses in Vermont to be equipped with live digital video cameras that automatically detect and record vehicles illegally passing a stopped school bus. The cameras will capture images of license plates only, not occupants, and store footage for up to 90 days unless a violation is reported, in which case images are kept until the case is resolved. If a violation is confirmed, the school bus operator can submit the recorded evidence to issue a civil traffic violation to the vehicle's registered owner, removing the need for a law enforcement officer to witness the infraction. Additionally, the bill eliminates point assessments on driving records for illegal school bus passing violations, though it does not change the underlying penalty for the offense. The changes take effect on August 1, 2025, and apply to school buses during the 2025-2026 school year.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Health to create free opioid overdose response training videos and distribute naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, to businesses and organizations likely to encounter people experiencing overdoses. The legislation also requires the department to expand community prevention programs, improve access to treatment services, educate healthcare providers and recovery program participants on overdose prevention, and establish public kiosks where naloxone can be dispensed. These measures aim to increase public awareness and access to life-saving resources for individuals at risk of opioid-related overdoses across the state. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to repeal two Vermont climate laws: the Affordable Heat Act and the Global Warming Solutions Act. It directly affects state agencies, utility regulators, and businesses subject to these regulations by removing requirements related to clean heat standards, greenhouse gas inventories, and climate action planning. The legislation would eliminate the Clean Heat Standard, repeal the Vermont Climate Council, and modify state energy policy sections to remove references to specific emissions reduction goals tied to those repealed acts. While some sections retain general greenhouse gas reporting requirements, the bill removes mandates for implementing specific climate mitigation strategies and the associated regulatory frameworks.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's bail and release procedures by removing the $200 limit on bail amounts for individuals charged with violating court orders, skipping bail hearings, or failing to appear in court. It also expands the factors judges can consider when setting release conditions, such as whether a person is already under community supervision or has other pending charges. Additionally, the legislation creates a new criminal offense for bail jumping and adjusts evidentiary standards for certain hearings to align them with other bail proceedings. These changes directly affect judges, defendants, and law enforcement by altering how pretrial release is managed and enforced.
Maddy summaryThis bill protects employees from being fired, discriminated against, or retaliated against for taking time off to serve as volunteer firefighters or volunteer emergency medical personnel. It also allows employers to claim a $500 tax credit for each volunteer firefighter or emergency medical personnel they employ for at least 12 weeks during the tax year. To qualify for protections, employees must provide written proof from their volunteer department to their employer, and employers are not required to pay employees for time spent on volunteer duties. The tax credit is available to private employers who maintain workers' compensation insurance and meet state registration requirements. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's apprenticeship system by updating definitions and requirements to better support workforce development. It directly affects employers, job seekers, and training programs by clarifying terms like "accessibility," "diversity," and "nontraditional apprenticeship populations" to promote inclusive hiring practices. Key provisions establish new standards for pre-apprenticeship programs, allow for advanced standing credits based on prior work experience, and require sponsors to include underserved communities in their training initiatives. The legislation also creates interim credentials to recognize specific skill completions during an apprenticeship and strengthens oversight for program registration and compliance.
Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates St. Peter Roman Catholic Church of Rutland on the 150th anniversary of its church building's construction. The document acknowledges the church's history, noting it was built in 1869 and consecrated in 1873 to serve the growing Catholic community in the Rutland area. It recognizes the contributions of parishioners who helped construct the building and subsequent restoration efforts over the decades. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the church as a formal acknowledgment of this milestone.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.
Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Karen Horn of Moretown for her leadership in strengthening local government in Vermont. It recognizes her decades of work with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, where she advised officials on municipal issues and helped secure transportation funding and tax authority for local governments. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to municipal policy and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to both Horn and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.