Rep. Leslie Goldman

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve public transit access for rural Vermonters by creating a service model that ensures reliable transportation to essential services like healthcare, employment, and child care. It requires transit providers to conduct benefit and risk assessments to determine appropriate service levels while ensuring financial sustainability through Medicaid reimbursements and federal funding. The legislation also proposes establishing and funding a Mobility for All Pilot Program through Rural Community Transportation, Inc. to test innovative transit solutions in rural areas.

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 establishes an unused drug repository program in Vermont to collect and distribute unused medications to patients who cannot afford them. The Agency of Human Services will manage the program, accepting donations from sources like pharmacies, hospitals, and individuals, while setting rules for drug safety and eligibility. Priority is given to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured patients, as well as those facing high out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions. The legislation also provides liability protection for donors, recipients, and healthcare providers involved in the program, and requires the agency to report on rulemaking progress during the 2024 budget process.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the date for the Reach Up ratable reduction, a tax benefit for low-income households in Vermont, from January to March. The amendment affects the timing of when eligible residents can receive their tax reduction, allowing them to claim the benefit later in the year. By moving the start date to March, the bill adjusts the administrative schedule for processing these tax reductions without changing the underlying eligibility requirements or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the duties of Vermont's Department of Vermont Health Access and related health care agencies. It requires the department to work with federally qualified health centers to develop a payment method for Medicaid services that matches or exceeds current rates, with a report due by October 2023. The legislation also directs state officials to recommend payment increases for patient-centered medical homes and to report on funding needs for these programs. Additionally, the bill changes hospital lien rules by limiting liens to one-third of patient recovery amounts and preventing liens when patients have health insurance, while also authorizing pilot projects to improve hospital efficiency and reduce health inequities.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont law requires firearm owners to securely store guns in locked containers or with safety devices to prevent children and prohibited individuals from accessing them, with criminal penalties for negligent storage that results in harm. Gun dealers must display warning signs about suicide and domestic violence risks associated with firearm access, while the law also expands the definition of household members to include dating partners for certain protective order provisions. The legislation aims to reduce suicide and community violence by limiting impulsive access to firearms, particularly in homes where children or prohibited persons might otherwise gain unauthorized access.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces overdose risks in Vermont by expanding access to buprenorphine treatment, legalizing drug-checking services, and creating a dedicated funding stream for opioid prevention. It allows healthcare providers to prescribe up to 24 milligrams of buprenorphine without prior authorization, permits community organizations to test substances for contaminants without fear of legal penalties, and establishes an Opioid Abatement Special Fund to finance naloxone distribution and treatment programs. The legislation also clarifies that drug-checking results cannot be used as evidence in court and ensures that individuals seeking these services face no arrest or prosecution for possession of the substances being tested.

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts Vermont's adoption of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, a national agreement that allows licensed psychologists to provide services across state lines under specific conditions. The legislation primarily affects psychologists licensed in Vermont and other participating states by establishing rules for telepsychology practice and temporary in-person practice lasting up to 30 days per calendar year. Key provisions create a system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information between states, authorize psychologists to practice in other compact states without obtaining additional licenses, and establish a commission to oversee implementation and compliance. The bill aims to increase access to psychological services while maintaining public safety through standardized regulations and mutual recognition of licenses among participating states.