Rep. Theresa Wood

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 House concurrent resolution honors Vermont National Guard Deputy Adjutant General Kenneth Gragg for his distinguished career in public service. The document recognizes his 46 years of military and civilian service, including his leadership in financial management, construction projects, and pandemic response efforts. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Gragg as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions. This is a ceremonial measure with no new laws or policy changes, serving only to publicly recognize his achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students to bring and apply sunscreen at school with parental permission, while also updating child car seat safety laws and launching a public education campaign. Under the new rules, schools must permit students to possess and use nonaerosolized sunscreen on school property if parents provide written authorization, and schools may choose to let staff help students apply it. The car seat provisions clarify requirements for children under 18, specifying when rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats with harnesses, and booster seats are needed based on age and weight. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to run a public outreach campaign using existing resources and multiple channels to educate Vermonters about proper child restraint use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail establishments in Vermont to allow customers with inflammatory bowel disease to use employee restrooms when public restrooms are not immediately accessible. The law applies to businesses open to the public and defines eligible conditions to include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other conditions requiring immediate restroom access. To qualify for access, customers must use an ostomy device or show written proof from a healthcare provider, and the business must have at least two employees present while the restroom is not in a public area or a safety-risk location. Businesses that comply are protected from liability, while those that refuse access face civil penalties of up to $100 for the first violation and $500 for subsequent ones. The Department of Health will create a printable card for patients to carry as proof of their condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to align the criminal penalties for general burglary with those for burglary committed in an occupied dwelling. It directly affects individuals charged with entering buildings or structures without permission with the intent to commit a crime. The key provision increases the maximum prison sentence for standard burglary from 15 years to 25 years, matching the current penalty for breaking into a residence. The bill also clarifies that a building is considered "occupied" if it is used as a residence, regardless of whether someone is actually present at the time of entry. Courts will be required to consider whether someone was actually present or if force was used as an aggravating factor during sentencing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act to create a statewide framework for conserving Vermont's natural landscapes and protecting biodiversity. It defines three types of protected land areas - ecological reserve areas, biodiversity conservation areas, and natural resource management areas - and sets conservation goals to protect 30 percent of the state's land by a specified target date. The legislation requires the state to prioritize conservation efforts that maintain connected ecosystems, support sustainable land management practices, and ensure access to land for Indigenous peoples and historically marginalized communities. By creating these protections, the bill aims to help Vermont address climate change impacts, reduce flood risks, and preserve natural habitats while balancing conservation with housing and economic development needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's adult protective services laws to clarify how caregivers are defined and held accountable. It expands the legal definition of a caregiver to include anyone voluntarily or contractually responsible for providing care to elders or people with disabilities, while also removing "negligently" from certain misconduct descriptions to focus on reckless behavior. The legislation adds protections for personal health information by explicitly referencing federal privacy laws alongside state regulations. These changes directly affect agencies, facilities, and individuals providing care to vulnerable adults, ensuring clearer standards for who qualifies as a caregiver and how their actions are evaluated.

Maddy summaryThis bill approves the dissolution of Duxbury-Moretown Fire District No. 1 and establishes new rules for deputy State's Attorneys in Vermont. The key provision creates a system where State's Attorneys can appoint deputies who may prosecute cases in any county, with authority to set appointment terms and remove deputies at any time. Deputy State's Attorneys will receive compensation not exceeding the pay of their appointing authority and must take required oaths before assuming duties. The bill also clarifies that deputies exercise all powers of State's Attorneys except the authority to designate successors during disqualification.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Vermont. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Jewish communities in the state. The measure acknowledges the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to Vermont and the nation, noting their early settlement and ongoing cultural significance. It does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Jewish heritage and history.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. It does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's mental health needs and statistics. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to relevant mental health organizations and officials. While it highlights concerning data about suicide rates and access to care, the bill itself is a commemorative measure rather than a policy change.