Rep. Topper McFaun

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve services and rights for adults with intellectual disabilities in Vermont by establishing stronger oversight and support mechanisms. It requires a professional review committee to approve any restrictions on personal rights or privacy, mandates the submission of a final Olmstead Plan by January 2025, and provides financial assistance to parents or guardians when alternative care options are unavailable. The legislation also enhances transparency in Human Services Board proceedings by allowing participants to submit supporting documentation and introducing a complaint procedure for individuals under guardianship. Additionally, it clarifies guardianship laws to ensure guardians can negotiate contracts that protect the individual's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts and approved independent schools to create and enforce policies for selecting library materials, guided by the First Amendment and established intellectual freedom standards. The legislation specifically prohibits removing library materials based on partisan politics, author or character demographics, personal discomfort, or content addressing sexual health and student educational needs. School library staff will be responsible for curating collections that match students' developmental levels while protecting students' First Amendment rights. The policy must be made available to the public and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program to fund a community-based organization that coordinates mental wellness and climate resilience efforts across Vermont. The program would receive $100,000 in fiscal year 2025 from the state's General Fund to support activities that address how extreme weather events and other social stresses impact mental health. The coordinating body must include representatives from diverse groups including schools, faith organizations, environmental groups, disaster response agencies, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. The program uses a public health approach to prevent mental health problems before they emerge and to help entire communities build resilience against various adversities.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands how courts handle bail and conditions of release for defendants in Vermont, particularly those who commit new offenses while out on pretrial release. It removes the $200 maximum bail limit for repeat offenders and allows judges to consider past compliance with court orders when setting release conditions. The legislation also creates a faster hearing process for violations of release conditions, bars repeat offenders from diversion programs, and requires annual reporting on restorative justice referrals.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont residents who are not U.S. citizens to qualify for scholarships and operate regulated child care facilities. It removes citizenship requirements for two specific programs: scholarships for current early childhood providers and scholarships for those seeking to become providers, as well as the ability to run a licensed child care center. The changes apply to both existing providers and those looking to enter the field, regardless of their immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 10 as Ken Squier Day to honor the late Vermont broadcaster and auto racing commentator. The legislation recognizes Squier's contributions to radio through his ownership of WDEV and founding of the Radio Vermont Group, as well as his pioneering work with the Motor Racing Network and NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. It also acknowledges his community leadership roles, including chairing the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board and his extensive involvement in local sports broadcasting. The bill adds a new section to Vermont's statutes formally establishing the commemorative day without requiring any additional government funding or administrative changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would eliminate registration fees for personal vehicles owned by volunteer firefighters that are authorized for emergency use. It applies to individual volunteer firefighters who have written permission to use their vehicles for fire or rescue activities and have permits for emergency lights and sirens. The legislation amends Vermont state law to set the registration fee at $0 for these specific vehicles, while maintaining a $15 fee for vehicles owned by volunteer fire departments themselves. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024, and directly benefit volunteer firefighters in Vermont who currently pay standard registration costs for their emergency response vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new driver education and training program specifically for students enrolled in Vermont's home study program, allowing their parents or guardians to teach them driving skills. The legislation requires the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and the Secretary of Education to approve at least one course that includes behind-the-wheel training, instruction on alcohol and drug effects on driving, insurance laws, and rules about vehicle idling. To qualify for a junior operator's license, home study students must complete this approved course, maintain a clean driving record, and log at least 40 hours of supervised practice driving. The bill also sets eligibility requirements for parents teaching the course, excluding those with recent traffic violations or serious criminal convictions, and mandates a report comparing driving records of students who completed home study programs versus traditional school-based programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts to include military-related postsecondary opportunities in career development and personalized learning plans for students in grades 7 through 12. It also mandates that the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation provide information about military-related postsecondary options and financial aid in all planning resources it produces. The changes aim to ensure students are aware of military education pathways as part of their broader career and postsecondary planning. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to create a single, unified process for sealing criminal history records in Vermont, simplifying the current system where different procedures apply to expungement and sealing. It would allow certain individuals with qualifying criminal convictions to have their records sealed from general public access while still permitting specific entities like law enforcement and employers to view them for legitimate purposes. The legislation removes the requirement for people requesting criminal records to provide the date of birth of the individual they are seeking and eliminates a disclaimer that currently warns requestors that name-only searches may return multiple people. By consolidating these procedures and adjusting how records are handled, the bill aims to streamline access to criminal history information while maintaining protections for individuals with certain types of convictions.