Rep. Kate McCann

Maddy summaryH.245 expands the Green Mountain Care Board's authority to review and approve budgets for both hospitals and health networks in Vermont. The bill requires the Board to investigate whether hospitals or health networks with significant market power harm the public good and take action to reduce such power if warranted. It mandates that hospitals and health networks submit detailed budget and operational data, including cost structures and service volumes, for Board review. The Board can also establish reference-based pricing to control costs and promote equitable access to care, directly affecting all Vermont hospitals and health networks operating under its oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 239) would extend key rights to temporary Vermont state employees who work over 1,280 hours annually for two years. It requires temporary workers to receive comparable pay, whistleblower protections, sick/annual leave, and health insurance meeting ACA standards after six months of employment. The bill also prohibits termination without good cause and clarifies that such employees qualify as "State employees" for labor rights purposes. These changes apply to temporary workers in state agencies, colleges, and courts who meet the hour threshold, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 29) is a ceremonial gesture congratulating Montgomery runner Elinor Purrier St. Pierre on her eighth-place finish in the women's 1500m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes her athletic achievements, including American records and prior Olympic participation, as detailed in the resolution's "whereas" clauses. The resolution directs Vermont's Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Ms. Purrier St. Pierre. As a symbolic tribute with no policy changes or direct effects, it does not alter laws or affect any constituents beyond expressing legislative recognition.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution honors the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) for its 65+ years of preserving Vermont's historic cemeteries. VOCA provides restoration grants, veteran burial support, and educational resources (like its newsletter and book *Burial Grounds of Vermont*) to local cemetery groups and municipalities. The resolution formally recognizes VOCA's work without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the organization's contributions to cemetery preservation and public education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online businesses likely to be accessed by children to avoid using design features that are harmful or overly invasive of children's privacy. It defines "covered businesses" as those with online services reasonably likely to be used by minors and mandates that these businesses set privacy settings to the most protective default for children. Key provisions prohibit design features causing compulsive use (like endless scrolling) and require businesses to handle children's personal data with heightened safeguards. The law applies to Vermont-based businesses offering online products or services to minors, aiming to protect children's privacy through proactive design standards.

Maddy summaryH.208 creates Vermont's first comprehensive data privacy law, giving residents specific rights over their personal data. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent for data collection (prohibiting "dark patterns" like deceptive pop-ups), bans the sale of biometric data and sensitive health information (including gender-affirming and reproductive health data), and restricts online tracking. The law directly affects Vermont residents and any business collecting their data, including data brokers and companies using contextual advertising. Key provisions include mandatory opt-in consent for data processing, requirements for transparent privacy notices, and new protections against automated decisions affecting housing, employment, or healthcare access.

Maddy summaryH.194 requires any nonemergency school construction project receiving Vermont state aid to include a high-capacity, all-gender restroom with fully enclosed stalls. This applies directly to public schools planning new construction or major renovations funded by state capital construction grants. The law amends existing approval standards for school projects, effective July 1, 2025, and does not apply to emergency repairs or existing building modifications.

Maddy summaryH 198 increases the University of Vermont Board of Trustees from 25 to 27 members by adding one voting faculty member (elected by the faculty) and one voting staff member (appointed with broad representation). It also requires that the two student trustee positions be filled by one full-time undergraduate student and one full-time graduate student, specifying their eligibility and term structure. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, with new appointments needed by July 31, 2025. This bill directly affects the governance of the University of Vermont by expanding representation from faculty, staff, and students on the board.

Maddy summaryThis bill transforms Vermont's Agency of Education into a Department of Education, eliminating the Secretary of Education position and creating a Commissioner of Education appointed by the State Board of Education (with Governor approval). The State Board gains direct management authority over the Department and must establish a strategic vision, oversee budgets, and produce annual public reports on educational equity, student performance, and safety data. Key provisions include requiring the Board to report on achievement gaps, bullying incidents (with demographic breakdowns), and resource distribution, while the Commissioner serves as the Department's chief executive. The changes aim to increase accountability and align Vermont's education governance with historical norms and best practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont public schools (prekindergarten through grade 12) to include instruction on social equity and justice in their curriculum, prohibiting restrictions on teaching topics like historical systems of oppression, race/gender as social constructs, and intersectional identities. It mandates that schools adopt policies affirming the dignity of all educators and students, bans influence from privately funded groups on curriculum decisions, and protects teachers from adverse action for following state/federal law in their teaching. The bill amends education standards to require curriculum development within existing State Board of Education frameworks, ensuring schools maintain autonomy while integrating these topics. It explicitly states the bill does not alter existing educational standards or dictate specific instructional materials.