Rep. Anne Donahue

Maddy summaryHCR 70 is a ceremonial resolution designating April 10, 2025, as Alzheimer’s Awareness Day at the Vermont State House. It formally recognizes the impact of Alzheimer’s disease in Vermont, citing local statistics about affected residents, caregivers, and associated costs. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter, and acknowledges current awareness efforts by families, caregivers, and medical professionals. This is a non-binding designation with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHCR 55 is a symbolic resolution recognizing April 2025 as "Month of the Military Child" in Vermont. It directly acknowledges the experiences of Vermont military children, particularly those with parents in the Vermont National Guard (approximately 1,000 personnel deployed annually), who face challenges like frequent relocations and parental deployment. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont National Guard’s Child & Youth Services office. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force but serves to honor military-connected youth through official state recognition.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution recognizes March 2025 as National Athletic Training Month in Vermont. It acknowledges athletic trainers as licensed health care professionals who provide injury prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation services in schools, clinics, military settings, and other workplaces across Vermont. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers (VAAT) and formally honors their contributions to public health. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHCR 60 is a ceremonial resolution designating March 25, 2025, as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Day at the Vermont State House. It formally recognizes advocates and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who will visit the State House that day to discuss service needs. The resolution has no policy or funding changes - it simply designates a day for acknowledgment and directs the Secretary of State to share the resolution with advocacy groups present. This is a symbolic gesture, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryHCR 54 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Thomas Paul Salmon, a former Vermont Representative, Governor (75th), and Interim University of Vermont President. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death on January 14, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to them. It commemorates his career, including his two terms as governor (1972-1978) and his six-year tenure as UVM Interim President. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a non-binding memorial resolution honoring Robert Louis Picher, the former Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. It commemorates his 30 years of service (1963-1993, plus 2002 acting role), military career, legal background, and community contributions. The resolution expresses the Vermont General Assembly’s condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or affected constituents.

Maddy summaryH.429 would expand the jurisdiction of Vermont's Human Rights Commission to include handling discrimination complaints against members of the state legislature (General Assembly) and elected statewide officials. Currently, these officials are excluded from the Commission's authority, meaning such complaints could not be formally addressed through this process. The bill directly affects state legislators and statewide elected officials by making them subject to the Commission's complaint procedures for unlawful discrimination. This change would create a formal mechanism for addressing discrimination claims against these public officials within the existing Human Rights Commission framework. The bill was referred to the Committee on General and Housing on February 28, 2025, and remains in early legislative review.

Maddy summaryHCR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring former Vermont House Representative Curt McCormack of Burlington, who died in September 2024. It recognizes his environmental advocacy (including pioneering work on chlorofluorocarbon limits), transportation leadership (as Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator and House Transportation Committee Chair), and service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to them. This procedural resolution does not create policy changes or affect any constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.

Maddy summaryH 227 creates a two-bed residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont to provide short-term support for people experiencing mental health crises, avoiding hospitalization. The facility will offer two types of stays: one bed for up to four weeks and another for up to two weeks, operated by a provider selected through a state contract. The bill appropriates $515,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund this facility, requiring the Department of Mental Health to contract with an eligible provider by January 1, 2026. It aims to expand access to peer-supported care in southern Vermont, reducing reliance on emergency hospital settings for crisis care. The facility will become operational on July 1, 2025.