Rep. Kate McCann

Maddy summaryVermont's H 296 would adopt the Dietician Licensure Compact, allowing licensed dietitians in Vermont to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This compact directly affects licensed dietitians seeking to work across state lines and improves public access to dietetics services by eliminating redundant licensing requirements. The key mechanism establishes a "compact privilege" equivalent to a state license, streamlining practice for professionals while maintaining state-level regulatory authority over patient care standards.

Maddy summaryH.297 creates the Free Degree Promise Grant Program to provide free associate’s degrees at Vermont’s Community College of Vermont (CCV) for eligible students. It directly affects Vermont students who completed CCV’s Early College program (earning 20+ credits), require full-time enrollment (12+ credits), and meet income thresholds. The program covers remaining tuition/fees after other aid and provides $500-$1,000 per semester for books/supplies based on household income, with support for up to five semesters or degree completion. This aims to address equity gaps in college access, particularly for low-income, first-generation, and historically underserved students.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Vermont's State Registrar to amend a death certificate to reflect the deceased person's gender identity at the time of death. It permits correction upon application by a healthcare provider, medical examiner, or close family members (spouse, child, parent, or guardian). The Department of Health must create rules specifying acceptable evidence (like advanced directives) and required forms for these requests. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (H 263) establishes a legal right for employees to ignore work communications from employers during nonworking hours, defined as times outside an employee's scheduled work hours. It directly affects all Vermont employers and their employees covered under state labor laws. Key provisions require employers to create a written policy supporting this right (with exceptions for emergencies or last-minute schedule changes), prohibit policies that reduce compensation or time-off rights, and allow employees to file complaints for repeated violations, which could result in a $100 administrative penalty per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 264 requires Vermont firearm owners to store guns securely - locked and separate from ammunition - when children or prohibited persons (e.g., those banned by law from owning guns) might access them. It directly affects all gun owners in homes or premises under their control. Key provisions include fines up to $1,000 or jail time for negligence leading to a crime, and up to $5,000 or five years in jail if access causes death or serious injury. Dealers must post mandatory safety signs about risks like accidental child access or suicide. The law takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 32-hour workweek in Vermont by requiring employers to pay overtime (1.5x regular wage) for hours worked beyond 32 per week, replacing the current 40-hour standard. It also reduces the maximum weekly work limit for minors under 16 from 40 to 32 hours and adjusts earned sick time accrual rates to align with the new standard. Exemptions apply to certain healthcare workers (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), who would follow separate overtime rules for 8-hour workdays or 64-hour biweekly periods. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 283 would allow adjacent Vermont municipalities to request delegation of authority from the Secretary of Natural Resources to regulate state waters, specifically to limit or ban wake boats. Municipalities must formally request this delegation, adopt local bylaws or ordinances to enforce the restrictions, and the Secretary would approve based on the public good. This directly affects towns bordering lakes or rivers where wake boat activity is a concern, enabling local control over such regulations rather than state-level management. The bill does not change existing state water use rules but provides a pathway for municipalities to address wake boat impacts through local governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans four specific additives - brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3 - from all food products manufactured, sold, or distributed in Vermont starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating within Vermont. The law prohibits these substances in any edible product, including beverages, and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce compliance through civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Enforcement aligns with Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryH 262 restricts Vermont employers from using electronic monitoring of employees (like tracking computer use or location) and automated decision systems (such as AI tools for hiring or promotions) without specific limitations. Employers may only use such monitoring if it serves one of seven defined purposes (e.g., safety, compliance, or performance assessment) and is the least invasive method necessary. The bill requires employers to justify monitoring based on objective evidence and prohibits using it for general surveillance or non-essential purposes. It directly affects all Vermont employers, including contractors and job applicants, by imposing new requirements on workplace monitoring practices.

Maddy summaryHCR 21 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Vermont General Assembly's appreciation for school board members' role in public education. It formally designates February as "School Board Recognition Month" in Vermont to highlight their contributions. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial, acknowledging school board members' civic service. The resolution was adopted by both chambers on February 7, 2025, and directs the Secretary of State to share it with the Vermont School Boards Association.