Rep. Elizabeth Burrows

Maddy summaryThis bill removes fees for vital records, nondriver identification cards, and driver's licenses for Vermont residents experiencing homelessness and for those under 22 who were previously in foster care. To qualify, individuals experiencing homelessness must submit an affidavit confirming their status, while foster care recipients need to prove their placement history through a child-placing agency. The changes apply to certified copies of birth certificates, nondriver ID cards, and operator's privilege cards, setting their cost to zero for eligible applicants. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and is intended to reduce financial barriers to obtaining essential identification documents for these specific populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that juvenile delinquency cases involving youths aged 14 to 22 begin in the Family Division of the Superior Court rather than the Criminal Division, with certain exceptions for specific serious offenses. The law allows the Family Division to transfer cases to the Criminal Division after a hearing if the youth is older or if the offense is particularly severe, and it mandates that prosecutors file felony charges for minors in the Family Division first. The changes apply to both new cases and those involving violations of release conditions, ensuring that all juvenile proceedings initially originate in the Family Division unless specific criteria for transfer are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes oversight and liability standards for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires these entities to submit safety and impact assessments to the state before deploying such systems and every two years thereafter, with additional requirements when significant changes are made. The legislation defines inherently dangerous AI systems as those that pose serious risks to public safety, health, or economic security, including systems that can make consequential decisions affecting critical areas like employment, housing, and healthcare. The state Attorney General is authorized to enforce compliance through legal action, which may include injunctions or revocation of business certificates for noncompliance. Small businesses using off-the-shelf AI products according to their terms of use are explicitly excluded from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for developers and deployers of high-risk and generative artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires developers to use reasonable care to prevent algorithmic discrimination and mandates disclosure of system limitations, intended uses, and data collection practices before providing high-risk AI systems to deployers. The legislation also defines key terms such as consequential decisions, synthetic digital content, and social media platforms to clarify which systems fall under the new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Vermont's Department of Health to create free opioid overdose response training videos and distribute naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, to businesses and organizations likely to encounter people experiencing overdoses. The legislation also requires the department to expand community prevention programs, improve access to treatment services, educate healthcare providers and recovery program participants on overdose prevention, and establish public kiosks where naloxone can be dispensed. These measures aim to increase public awareness and access to life-saving resources for individuals at risk of opioid-related overdoses across the state. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal right for owners of powered wheelchairs and independent repair shops to repair their devices without relying solely on the original equipment manufacturer. It requires manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation at fair and reasonable terms, including access to diagnostic software and security features needed for repairs. The law defines key terms like "independent repair provider" and "original equipment manufacturer" to clarify who must comply with these requirements. By mandating access to repair resources, the bill aims to give wheelchair users more control over maintenance and reduce dependence on manufacturer-approved service centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program to support diversity, equity, and inclusion work in Vermont schools by funding Equity Teams in up to five supervisory unions or school districts. An Equity Team Commission would oversee the program, selecting participating districts and managing $50,000 in stipends to provide each Equity Team with $10,000 for resources like meeting supplies and transportation. The Equity Teams themselves would consist of administrators, students, and teachers who review school policies and curriculum through an antiracism and inclusion lens. The Commission must submit a report to the legislature by September 2025 detailing the teams' work and recommending whether to expand the program. The pilot project is set to begin on July 1, 2024, and the Commission will cease to exist on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Grant Program and Fund to help Vermont municipalities prepare for and reduce the impact of natural disasters. The program would provide grants to cities, towns, and other local governments for projects like slope stabilization, watershed restoration, and drought mitigation, with priority given to communities facing higher vulnerability. Funding comes from a $15 million appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and an annual assessment on insurance companies writing policies in Vermont, capped at $4.3 million. The Department of Public Safety would administer both the grant program and the fund, which must keep records and submit annual reports on how money is spent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts that close an existing elementary or high school to designate three or fewer public schools to serve as the district's public schools for those students. The law mandates that when a school closure occurs, the district must ensure education continues by assigning students to designated public schools rather than automatically paying tuition to outside schools. Parents retain the right to request tuition for their children to attend other approved schools if they believe it better serves their child's needs, though the school board makes the final decision on such requests. The bill also allows certain districts in rural areas to designate public high schools in neighboring states like New York as their public schools under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new civil legal remedy for individuals whose nude or sexually explicit images are created or shared without their consent. It allows affected people to sue those responsible for distributing such material, with exceptions for law enforcement reporting, matters of legitimate public concern, and constitutionally protected speech. The law defines specific terms like "digitization" and "sexually explicit material" to clarify what is covered, requires consent agreements to be written in plain language, and sets a three-year statute of limitations for filing claims.