Rep. Heather Surprenant

Maddy summaryH 74 would phase in full exemption of Social Security benefits from Vermont income tax over eight years. Currently, Vermont partially exempts Social Security benefits for lower-income seniors, but this bill raises the income thresholds where full exemption applies - increasing the single filer threshold from $65,000 to $77,000 and married filer threshold from $80,000 to $92,000. The change applies to all Vermont residents receiving Social Security benefits, with full exemption becoming effective by the eighth year. The bill amends Vermont’s tax code (32 V.S.A. § 5830e) to adjust the income-based exclusion rules. It is currently referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 55) requires all health insurance plans in Vermont - including Medicaid - to cover gender-affirming health care services that are medically necessary and clinically appropriate, such as facial procedures and hair removal, without extra cost-sharing. It also mandates coverage for fertility-related services, including diagnostic care, IVF procedures, fertility preservation (like egg freezing), and related medications, while prohibiting financial barriers or restrictions based on donor use. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage for these services based on factors like donor sperm or eggs, though it excludes experimental procedures and nonmedical costs (e.g., donor fees). Insurers must report compliance annually to state health committees, and the Agency of Human Services must seek federal approval for Medicaid coverage changes. The bill directly affects all Vermont health insurers, Medicaid, and individuals seeking these specific health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Vermont public schools, independent schools, career and technical centers, and prequalified private prekindergarten programs to ban student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the entire school day, from arrival to dismissal. It also prohibits schools from using social media to communicate with students directly. Exceptions are permitted for students with documented medical needs (requiring physician documentation) or for those using devices as part of an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan. The policy aims to reduce distractions and support student well-being, aligning with findings about youth mental health and social media use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Department of Corrections to partner with local opioid treatment programs to provide medication for opioid use disorder (like buprenorphine or methadone) in correctional facilities. It ensures inmates with opioid use disorder can continue their prescribed medication upon admission and receive at least a 28-day supply upon release to maintain treatment continuity. The law updates existing medical care standards to mandate these partnerships through memorandums of understanding with community treatment providers. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in Vermont facilities who require opioid use disorder treatment, aligning their care with community-based treatment systems. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to improve access to evidence-based treatment during incarceration and transition to community care.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fair Repair Act, aims to improve access to repair services for agricultural and forestry equipment by ensuring independent repair providers and equipment owners can obtain necessary parts, tools, and documentation. The legislation addresses challenges such as limited availability of authorized repair shops in rural areas, workforce shortages, and restrictions on software-related repairs that may prevent independent technicians from fixing equipment safely and effectively. By establishing clear definitions for key terms and promoting equitable access to repair resources, the bill seeks to extend equipment lifespans, reduce costs for farmers and foresters, and support Vermont's agricultural and forestry sectors. The measure does not mandate specific repair practices but creates a framework to facilitate fair access to the information and components needed for maintenance and repairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for overdose prevention centers in Vermont, allowing supervised spaces where individuals can consume pre-obtained drugs under the care of trained staff. The centers would provide harm reduction services such as sterile needle distribution, drug checking, overdose reversal medication, first aid, and referrals to addiction treatment. The legislation grants immunity from arrest, prosecution, and civil liability to participants, staff, and property owners for activities related to drug use within these centers, though immunity does not extend to driving violations or unrelated civil claims. A pilot program is funded with $1.1 million in 2025 to support the City of Burlington in opening a center, with ongoing funding intended through 2028. The Department of Health must develop operating guidelines by September 2024 and conduct a study on the program's impact by December 2024.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds for soybeans and cereal grains, aiming to protect pollinators like bees that are essential to the state's agriculture and ecosystems. The law prohibits dealers and farmers from selling or planting these treated seeds, with an exemption process available for specific agricultural emergencies that requires pest management training, risk assessments, and record-keeping. Neonicotinoids are a widely used class of insecticides known to be highly toxic to pollinators, and the legislation aligns Vermont with similar restrictions adopted by other states and regions. The bill amends state pesticide laws to define neonicotinoid-treated articles and establishes the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to issue limited exemptions under strict conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's animal welfare laws to improve how the state tracks and reports on animal care and complaints. It requires animal shelters and rescue organizations to include imported animals in their standards of care reporting and asks state agencies to estimate the number and type of animal welfare complaints they receive. The legislation also updates a specific numerical threshold in the regulations from 50 to 67, likely adjusting a compliance or reporting limit. These changes affect state agencies responsible for animal welfare oversight and organizations that care for animals in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws to strengthen protections against child sexual abuse by clarifying that manipulating a child for sexual contact is prohibited. It directly affects adults who may exploit children through emotional or psychological pressure to engage in sexual activities. The key provision adds the phrase "with intent" to the legal language, ensuring that deliberate manipulation is explicitly covered under the statute. The legislation reflects findings that most child sexual abuse is committed by someone known to the child and their family. Once signed into law, it provides clearer legal grounds for prosecuting cases involving coercive manipulation of minors for sexual purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's poultry inspection rules to allow farmers to sell processed poultry parts from birds slaughtered under specific exceptions. Currently, poultry from these exceptions can only be sold whole from the farm, at farmers' markets, or to restaurants, but the new law permits sales of parts like breasts or thighs based on farm size and compliance levels. Farms processing up to 1,000, 5,000, or 20,000 birds annually may sell parts depending on which inspection exception they meet, while all such poultry must remain raw and not be processed into cooked products. The changes affect small-scale poultry producers who currently face restrictions on selling processed poultry parts.