Rep. Sara Coffey

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution congratulates Liz Brown and Mia Fowler for receiving the 2023 Peacemaker Award. The award recognizes their work as high school students who created and taught a bystander intervention training program to younger students. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the two award recipients. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of their community service.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution expresses support for Abenaki communities in Vermont and encourages greater appreciation of Abenaki culture during Abenaki Recognition and Heritage Week and throughout the year. The bill directly affects the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and the four state-recognized Abenaki tribes and bands by directing the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to these entities. The resolution acknowledges past injustices, including state-sanctioned eugenics and sterilizations, and recognizes existing legislative efforts such as free hunting and fishing licenses for certified Native Americans and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It serves as a formal statement of support rather than creating new policy requirements or funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors Eugene Uman and Elsa Borrero for their 25 years of leadership at the Vermont Jazz Center and their artistic and educational achievements. It formally recognizes their work in transforming the center into a year-round jazz hub that offers performances, educational programs, and archival resources. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the couple and the Vermont Jazz Center.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution congratulates Mikaela Shiffrin on her historic 2022-2023 World Cup Alpine ski racing achievements, including becoming the winningest female Alpine racer of all time with 88 victories and setting a new all-time World Cup record with 87 event wins. The resolution recognizes her accomplishments, which include winning races in all six World Cup Alpine disciplines and accumulating 138 career podiums. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Shiffrin and U.S. Ski & Snowboard as a formal acknowledgment of her record-setting performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2023 as Donate Life Awareness Month in Vermont to raise public awareness about organ and tissue donation. It directly affects Vermont residents by encouraging them to register as organ donors through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to relevant health and motor vehicle officials and Donate Life Vermont to coordinate awareness activities. The bill highlights the national need for organ donors, noting that many people wait for transplants while others die daily, and celebrates Vermont's high rate of donor registration.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age for marriage in Vermont from 16 to 18 years old, directly affecting minors who currently could legally marry with parental consent. The law amends existing emancipation statutes to clarify that even if a minor is legally emancipated, they cannot bypass the age requirement for marriage. The provision explicitly states that emancipation orders do not override laws requiring specific age limits, including the new marriage age threshold. This change removes the ability for parents to consent to their children's marriages before age 18, regardless of the minor's independent living status.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the winning teams of the 2023 15th Jr Iron Chef VT competition, a culinary event for middle and high school students in Vermont. The resolution acknowledges the competition's return after a pandemic-related pause and recognizes the three award categories: Crowd Pleaser, Lively Local, and Mise en Place. It specifically names the six winning teams that received awards in both morning and afternoon rounds across middle and high school divisions. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to each winning team and to Vermont Afterschool, which oversees the event.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution officially recognizes March 31, 2023, as Transgender Day of Visibility in Vermont. It expresses the state's support for the rights of all transgender Vermonters and opposes any legislation that would restrict those rights regardless of age. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal statement of support from the General Assembly. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to three LGBTQ+ organizations in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates Cersosimo Industries Inc. on reaching its 75th anniversary. The document recognizes the company as a three-generation family business founded in 1947 that has grown into one of New England's largest producers of hardwood and pine lumber. It also acknowledges the company's diverse operations, which include construction, aggregate production, real estate, and mulch sales, along with its recent industry awards. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the company's president, Michael A. Cersosimo.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a paid family and medical leave insurance program in Vermont, allowing eligible employees to take time off work for specific life events while receiving wage replacement benefits. It directly affects workers employed by companies with at least 10 to 15 employees, depending on the type of leave, and defines covered situations including parental leave for birth or adoption, family leave for serious health conditions, bereavement leave, safe leave for domestic violence victims, and leave for military family members. The legislation sets clear definitions for who qualifies as an employee, employer, and family member, including provisions for domestic partners and individuals with significant personal bonds beyond traditional family relationships. Key provisions include requirements for employers to fund the insurance program and establish policies that allow workers to take approved leave without losing their jobs.