Rep. Esme Cole

Maddy summaryH.360 establishes privacy protections for Vermont residents using mobile identification, such as digital driver's licenses or nonmobile credentials. It requires mobile ID systems to let users share only necessary information (e.g., age verification without revealing full birthdate) and obtain explicit consent before disclosing any data. The bill prohibits businesses from forcing mobile ID use for services unless legally required (like age checks for alcohol sales) and mandates that verification systems cannot store, link, or share data about ID checks. These rules apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles and all entities using mobile ID verification.

Maddy summaryH 399 strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees and requiring landlords to provide written rental agreements for 12+ month leases. The bill limits no-cause evictions with mandatory notice periods (60-90 days based on how long a tenant has lived there), prohibits charging for background checks, and adds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections. It creates a Rental Registry and an Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate to help tenants navigate disputes. Tenants in Vermont rental housing will directly benefit from these concrete changes to agreements, evictions, and discrimination safeguards.

Maddy summaryHCR 30 is a memorial resolution honoring Donald H. Turner Jr., a former Vermont Representative, House Republican Leader, and Milton Town Manager. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family following his death in November 2024 and directs copies of the resolution to his family, the Milton Town Clerk, and the Milton Fire Department. This procedural resolution commemorates his public service, including his 30+ years with the Milton Fire Department and his legislative career representing Milton.

Maddy summaryH 337 requires Vermont's Commissioner of Labor to publish enforcement actions against employers for violations of wage and hour, prevailing wage, and child labor laws. The bill mandates that this information be made publicly available in a searchable format on a dedicated website. Data published will exclude complainant identities and information older than six years. The requirement takes effect on July 1, 2025, increasing transparency around labor law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes safety standards and oversight for developers and deployers of inherently dangerous artificial intelligence systems in Vermont. It requires these entities to submit safety and impact assessments to a new Division of Artificial Intelligence within the Agency of Digital Services. The Attorney General can enforce the law by taking legal action against noncompliant developers or deployers, including seeking court orders to stop violations. The bill specifically targets high-risk AI systems, dual-use foundational models, and generative AI systems that pose serious risks to public safety, economic security, or individual rights.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill regulates developers and deployers of automated decision systems (ADS) used in consequential decisions - such as hiring, housing, loan approvals, or healthcare access - to prevent algorithmic discrimination. It requires businesses to clearly inform consumers before using ADS in such decisions, explaining what data is measured, how it is used, and how it influences outcomes. The bill prohibits the use of ADS that result in discriminatory treatment based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability. These requirements apply to businesses operating in Vermont that deploy or develop ADS for decisions materially affecting residents' rights, liberties, or welfare.

Maddy summaryH.336 allows employees, worker organizations, or whistleblowers to file lawsuits on behalf of Vermont’s Labor Commissioner to enforce workplace laws, such as minimum wage or misclassification rules. It directly affects workers who face violations (e.g., unpaid wages or improper contractor status) and provides a mechanism for them to seek penalties and remedies. Key provisions include sharing recovered fines (70% to the Labor Department, 30% to the filer if the Commissioner doesn’t intervene) and requiring 25% of those funds to support workforce education programs. The bill also prohibits contracts from blocking these lawsuits and sets clear court procedures for filing claims.

Maddy summaryH.347 would raise Vermont's minimum wage to $20.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual adjustments based on inflation. It eliminates the current exemption for agricultural workers from overtime pay, phasing in overtime requirements over time (from 60 hours/week to 40 hours/week by 2036), and removes the separate "tipped minimum wage," requiring all tipped workers to earn at least the full minimum wage. The bill also sets a new salary threshold of $1,128,000 annually (adjusted yearly) for workers to qualify as exempt from overtime and minimum wage rules, and removes the option for subminimum wages for people with disabilities. It maintains the Attorney General's authority to enforce employee misclassification complaints.

Maddy summaryH 335 requires employers and subcontractors working on Vermont state construction projects to maintain detailed payroll records for three years. These records must include each worker's name, address, hours worked, wages paid, pay rate, and job classification, and must be submitted weekly to the overseeing state agency. The records must be preserved for inspection by the Commissioner of Labor or Attorney General and become publicly accessible under Vermont's Public Records Act. This bill directly affects contractors on state projects (excluding Transportation and Parks projects) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's unemployment compensation law to allow striking workers to receive benefits under specific conditions. It removes disqualifications for workers not participating in a labor dispute, those affected by employer lockouts (not temporary work suspensions), and those unemployed for more than 14 days due to a labor dispute (unless replacement workers were hired during that period). The change directly affects workers involved in labor disputes who meet these criteria, ensuring they can access unemployment benefits during strikes or lockouts. The bill modifies existing disqualification rules in Section 1344 of Vermont law without altering broader eligibility. It is currently before the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.