Rep. Ela Chapin

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's existing law against sharing nonconsensual sexually explicit images by removing the requirement that the person sharing the image must have intended to harm the person depicted. It directly affects individuals who distribute nude or sexually explicit images of others without their permission, as well as platforms that may profit from removing such content. Under the new provisions, sharing these images without consent would be a crime regardless of whether the sharer intended to cause harm, though exceptions still apply for public interest disclosures, law enforcement activities, and images taken in public settings where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. The bill also establishes a private right of action allowing victims to seek court orders to stop the distribution of their images and provides for higher penalties if the sharing is done for financial profit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive flood recovery and preparedness framework for Vermont municipalities and businesses affected by the 2023 severe storms. It provides financial relief through tax abatement reimbursements for municipalities that lost State education property tax revenue, grants to offset municipal lost revenues, and a new Flood Recovery Assistance Program offering up to $40 million for business losses including physical damage, lost revenue, and employee wages. The legislation also creates a working group to improve emergency management coordination between state agencies and municipalities, while allowing reconsideration of property tax abatement decisions made during the disaster period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that juvenile delinquency cases involving youths aged 14 to 22 begin in the Family Division of the Superior Court rather than the Criminal Division, with certain exceptions for specific serious offenses. The law allows the Family Division to transfer cases to the Criminal Division after a hearing if the youth is older or if the offense is particularly severe, and it mandates that prosecutors file felony charges for minors in the Family Division first. The changes apply to both new cases and those involving violations of release conditions, ensuring that all juvenile proceedings initially originate in the Family Division unless specific criteria for transfer are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Transportation Infrastructure and Resiliency Act of 2024, directs state funding and policy changes to improve roads, support electric vehicle adoption, and enhance transportation options across Vermont. It increases funding for road repair programs, provides grants for eBike and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and establishes new rules allowing property owners to install charging stations. The legislation also expands funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, creates a plan for carsharing expansion, and requires the state to develop new revenue sources for transportation and environmental initiatives. Additionally, it allows certain areas to set speed limits below 25 mph and mandates reporting on electric vehicle outreach efforts and charging station availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont criminal procedure rules to protect young child victims in cases involving serious bodily injury or sexual offenses by limiting depositions and allowing certain out-of-court statements to be used as evidence. For victims under 16, depositions are generally prohibited unless both sides agree or a judge approves them only after finding the testimony is essential, not available elsewhere, and the benefits outweigh harm to the child. The bill also permits hearsay statements from children 12 or younger in specific cases if the child can still testify in court and the statements show reliability, reducing the need for repeated questioning of vulnerable witnesses. These changes apply to criminal prosecutions, juvenile proceedings, and certain civil cases involving abuse or neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Study Committee on Dam Emergency Action Planning to examine how Vermont can improve regional emergency preparedness for dam failures. The committee will consist of representatives from the legislature, state agencies, and dam owners, and will identify high-hazard dams that could flood populated areas. Its main tasks include reviewing current municipal responsibilities for emergency planning, recommending how regional planning commissions should develop evacuation and shelter plans, and estimating the costs of implementing these plans along with potential funding sources. The committee must submit its findings and draft legislative recommendations by December 15, 2024, and will cease to exist on March 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes transferring safety jurisdiction over certain hydroelectric dams in Vermont from the Public Utility Commission to the Department of Environmental Conservation. The change would apply primarily to nonfederal dams that are not part of a public utility system or subject to federal licensing, while federal dams would fall under Department oversight when their federal licenses expire. Key provisions establish clear definitions for what constitutes a dam, set authorization requirements for altering structures that can hold more than 500,000 cubic feet of water, and outline procedures for transferring records between agencies when jurisdiction shifts. The bill also requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to assess potential impacts on fish and wildlife habitats before any dam-related decisions are made.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in Vermont to allow tiny houses as permitted uses in zoning regulations. It specifies that one tiny house can be placed on a lot of one acre or more, while two tiny houses are permitted on lots of two acres or more. The legislation also includes a provision that tiny houses do not need wastewater capacity if they are occupied by family members of someone living in an existing single-family home on the same lot. This change directly affects local zoning authorities and homeowners considering tiny house construction or placement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates and expands the Municipal Planning and Resilience Grant Program to help Vermont towns and regional planning commissions prepare for climate-related hazards like flooding. The program will receive funding from a dedicated state fund, with 20 percent of revenues going to municipalities and 70 percent to regional planning commissions for performance-based contracts. Municipalities must vote to allocate local funds for planning purposes and submit plans for approval to qualify for grants, which can be used for acquiring development rights, conservation easements, or implementing climate resilience projects. The bill also establishes two new permanent full-time positions to administer the grants and assist with financing climate resilience projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable income tax credit of $500 for qualified emergency responders in Vermont, including licensed emergency medical personnel, first responders, and volunteer firefighters who are in good standing with the state. The credit applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and is designed to recognize the public service provided by these individuals who deliver lifesaving measures. The legislation also requires the Vermont Fire Service Training Council to establish standards defining active service for volunteer firefighters to determine eligibility for the credit. This measure directly affects licensed medical personnel, first responders, and volunteer firefighters who meet the specified qualifications and serve within the state.