Rep. Stephanie Jerome

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amendments to Vermont laws governing banking, insurance, and securities, but the full text is not included in this short-form version. It directly affects financial institutions and consumers by updating regulatory frameworks, though specific changes cannot be detailed without the complete legislation. The bill was introduced by Representatives Marcotte and Jerome and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development for further review.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "first responders" to include a broad range of personnel such as firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical staff, public health workers, and utility operators for use in state emergency management planning. It requires local emergency management organizations and planning committees to incorporate information about utilizing these first responders into their emergency management plans. The legislation also establishes regional emergency management committees that include representatives from various organizations and authorizes the Governor to mobilize and coordinate first responders during emergencies. Additionally, the bill expands the Governor's authority to take preparatory steps and assume operational control of first responders when declaring a state of emergency.

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 expands access to special venue serving permits by allowing art galleries, bookstores, public libraries, and museums to apply for permits to serve alcoholic beverages at events. The legislation amends state liquor laws to include these non-traditional venues alongside existing permit holders, enabling them to serve drinks by glass during public gatherings. The Division of Liquor Control would be responsible for reviewing and granting these permits based on established criteria. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, providing these cultural and community institutions with new options for hosting events that include alcohol service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Prekindergarten Education Implementation Committee to develop a plan for providing full-day prekindergarten education to all four-year-old children in Vermont by July 1, 2026. The committee, composed of representatives from education agencies, school associations, private providers, and families, will examine how to expand access through public schools or contracted private providers while considering costs, quality standards, and special education needs. The committee must submit its implementation plan and draft legislative language by December 1, 2024, and will cease to exist on February 1, 2025. The bill also appropriates $107,500 in fiscal year 2024 to fund the committee's operations and potential contractor assistance.

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 bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the University of Vermont Catamounts women's basketball team on winning the 2023 America East Conference championship. The resolution recognizes the team's 2023 season achievements, including a 17-game winning streak, their conference championship victory, and their subsequent qualification for the NCAA March Madness tournament. It also acknowledges the contributions of the coaching staff and lists the team members who completed a 25-7 season. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the University of Vermont Office of Athletics.

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.