Rep. Theresa Wood

Maddy summaryThis bill honors former Waterbury Municipal Manager William Shepeluk for his 34-year career in public service. It recognizes his administrative achievements, including financial improvements, infrastructure projects, and the town-village merger, along with his leadership roles in state municipal organizations. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Shepeluk and the Waterbury Town Clerk.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual inflation adjustment for Medicaid reimbursement rates paid to home- and community-based service providers in Vermont, ensuring their payments keep pace with rising costs. It requires the state health and disability departments to calculate this inflation factor each year and apply it to provider rates starting July 1. The legislation also mandates a comprehensive study of current payment rates, their adequacy, and the methods used to set them, with results due by January 15, 2024. Additionally, the study must examine how to align these rates with other payers and account for new state-mandated employer contributions like those from paid family leave or minimum wage laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who are required by law to report child abuse or neglect to make their initial report orally instead of in writing. Mandated reporters such as teachers, healthcare workers, and social service staff would be able to speak directly to the Commissioner for Children and Families or their designee to report suspected abuse. The Commissioner can still ask for a written follow-up report if needed, except when the reporter chooses to remain anonymous. The law also specifies what information must be included in any report and clarifies how reports involving state employees should be handled.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's procedures for reviewing and challenging decisions to place individuals on the Child Protection Registry. It extends the timeframes for administrative reviews and appeals, allows reviews to proceed even if the person does not respond or appear, and permits virtual hearings during state emergencies. Additionally, the bill requires that children placed on the registry between ages 10 and 18 follow the same review procedures as adults. These changes apply to the Commissioner for Children and Families' Registry Review Unit and affect individuals who have been substantiated for child abuse or neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to fund afterschool and summer care services for children and youth in Vermont, with priority given to programs serving underserved communities. The program will be financed using revenue from the state's cannabis sales tax, which will be deposited into a dedicated special fund managed by an advisory committee. The advisory committee, composed of representatives from various state agencies and Vermont Afterschool, Inc., will oversee grant distribution and report annually on outcomes such as the number of children served and cost savings for families. Grants can be used by program operators for technical assistance, implementation, expansion, and sustainability, with administrative costs capped at $500,000 per year. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legislative oversight for payment reform and conflict-free case management systems affecting individuals with developmental disabilities and their service providers in Vermont. It requires the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living to include individualized assessments, budget considerations for unique support needs, and impact evaluations on recipients and agencies during payment reform processes. The legislation also mandates that the department gather input from stakeholders including individuals with disabilities, families, and service agencies before implementing federal conflict-free case management requirements, with proposed policy changes presented to relevant legislative committees by February 1, 2024. Additionally, the bill repeals a previous 2022 law regarding payment reform and conflict-free case management and takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public prekindergarten education program in Vermont, making full-day early education available to three- and four-year-old children and five-year-olds not yet in kindergarten. It creates a new Department of Economic Empowerment by reorganizing the Department for Children and Families, adds a second Deputy Secretary to the Agency of Education with specific qualifications, and provides property tax exemptions for child care providers. The legislation also expands eligibility and payment rates for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, creates a new Noncitizen Child Care Assistance Program, and introduces grants to support child care workforce retention.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a task force to study how restorative justice can improve Vermont's criminal justice system. The task force would include state officials, legislators, and community justice representatives to examine current programs, laws, and funding. Its goal is to recommend changes that would make restorative justice services more consistent and accessible across the state. The group would explore ways to standardize how people are referred to diversion programs and how funding is used for related services. Ultimately, the task force would submit proposed legislation to reform how restorative justice is implemented in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that petitions for guardianship of individuals with developmental disabilities include a statement confirming the person is at least 18 years old or will turn 18 within six months of filing. It directly affects people seeking to establish legal guardianship over adults with developmental disabilities in Vermont. The change adds a specific age verification requirement to the petition documents filed with the Family Division of the Superior Court. This amendment ensures that guardianship petitions only apply to adults, aligning the process with the legal definition of adulthood. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents, over a ten-year period. It would begin with primary care coverage in the first year, add preventive dental and vision care in the second year, and expand to additional services in subsequent years based on recommendations from an advisory group. The legislation requires the Green Mountain Care Board to analyze and report on financing sustainability, economic impact, and cost containment measures before full implementation. It also seeks a federal waiver to adjust health insurance benefits and funding to avoid duplication with Green Mountain Care coverage.