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.
Rep. Marc Mihaly
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.
Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 9) formally honors Vermonters involved in creating the Tony Award-winning musical *Hadestown* and Vermont youth theater groups performing teen versions of the show. It specifically recognizes creators like Anaïs Mitchell (Middlebury College alum), Michael Chorney, and Ben T. Matchstick, along with Vermont youth ensembles including Peoples Academy, Very Merry Theatre, and U-32/Montpelier High School productions supported by *Hadestown* creators. The resolution has no legal effect - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating their artistic achievements and community impact without enacting new policy. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees.
Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens laws against home and land improvement fraud by clarifying what counts as land improvement work, such as driveway construction, tree trimming, and forestry operations. It makes it a crime to knowingly fail to complete contracts worth $1,000 or more, misrepresent facts, use deceptive practices, or charge excessive prices during emergencies. The law also establishes a public registry for convicted contractors and requires those with prior convictions to either work for a new company or post a financial bond of at least $250,000 to continue working. Additionally, the bill adds financial surety requirements for timber trespass cases, ensuring that individuals who commit these offenses must provide financial security before resuming harvesting activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution honoring Mary Moulton, the Executive Director of Washington County Mental Health Services and former Commissioner of Vermont's Department of Mental Health, for her leadership in the state's mental health system. The resolution recognizes her career achievements, including her work implementing mental health system reforms and coordinating disaster response efforts after Tropical Storm Irene. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Moulton as an official acknowledgment of her service. This document serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new policy or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the drama students and theater department of U-32 High School in Vermont for earning a spot at the 2024 New England Theatre Festival. It recognizes their world premiere play Unspoken Word, which was selected after winning regional competitions and features a story about a student dealing with selective mutism, bullying, and family changes. The resolution highlights the collaborative effort involving student writers, performers, technical crew, and adult mentors who worked on the production. The General Assembly formally acknowledges this achievement through a resolution that will be sent to the school by the Secretary of State.
Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution honors Cindy Scott's third-grade class at Twinfield Union School in Vermont for creating a special friendship with young patients at St. Nicholas Pediatric Hospital in Lviv, Ukraine. The bill recognizes how the students made and sent care packages with fidget toys and personal notes to children injured in the war, followed by a virtual video call where both groups shared songs and poetry. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to both the school and the hospital. This is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a law that changes policy or spending.
Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's emergency housing eligibility rules by requiring medical certification for disability documentation. It allows households who cannot prove SSI or SSDI eligibility to use a specific form to document qualifying health conditions for temporary emergency housing. The form must include personal information, a description of the disability, risks to health and safety without housing, and verification from a licensed healthcare provider. This change affects individuals seeking emergency housing assistance and healthcare professionals providing disability certifications.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors the music therapists of Vermont for their work using evidence-based music interventions to help patients manage pain, anxiety, and other health challenges. It recognizes the growing importance of music therapy services in the state and acknowledges specific therapists who presented a devotional in the House of Representatives. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the honored therapists and the Music Therapy Association of Vermont. This is a commemorative measure rather than a law that changes policy or requires new funding.