Sen. Ruth Hardy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont hospitals to report administrative staffing ratios and executive compensation data to the Green Mountain Care Board during budget reviews. It mandates that administrative staff ratios align with national averages for similar hospitals and caps executive pay at no more than 10 times the salary of the lowest-paid direct patient care staff. These requirements apply to all hospitals submitting budgets for fiscal years 2027 and later. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, with implementation for 2027 budgets.

Maddy summaryS 16 requires that at least one restroom in every public building and place of public accommodation (like libraries, government offices, or retail stores) must have an infant changing station. The station must be accessible to any person, regardless of gender, to change an infant's diaper. The law defines "available" to mean the restroom is usable by all, and the Commissioner of Public Safety will enforce compliance during routine inspections. The requirement takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur program to cover pregnant individuals with incomes up to 312% of the federal poverty level (FPL), effective January 2026. It also directs the Agency of Human Services to study expanding Dr. Dynasaur eligibility to all Vermont residents under 26 with incomes ≤312% FPL and Medicaid eligibility to adults aged 26-64 with incomes ≤312% FPL. The agency must report on feasibility, costs, federal waiver needs, and implementation timelines by January 2026. The study includes analyzing programmatic costs, technological requirements, and potential federal approval processes for broader expansions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 10) raises cost thresholds for health care facilities to require a "certificate of need" from Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board. It increases the capital expenditure threshold for non-hospital facilities from $1.5 million to $5 million and for hospitals from $3 million to $10 million. The bill also eliminates certificate requirements for routine equipment replacements (like fully depreciated medical equipment) and certain lower-cost projects, while adding a new $100 million threshold for conceptual development phase approvals. These changes directly affect hospitals and non-hospital health care facilities planning new services, construction, or equipment purchases.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S.4) gives towns and villages explicit authority to decide whether to maintain legal trails and to create local rules for trail use. It clarifies that municipalities can choose to maintain trails (but aren't required to) and may adopt ordinances regulating activities like vehicle types on trails. The bill defines "trails" as public rights-of-way not classified as highways, removing them from highway maintenance obligations. It directly affects local governments, which gain new regulatory power over trail access and use, while ensuring towns aren't liable for maintenance costs or user safety on maintained trails.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill establishes an age-appropriate design code that requires online companies to protect the privacy and safety of children under 18. It applies to any business that offers online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by minors, including social media platforms, gaming sites, and apps with targeted advertising. The law mandates that companies avoid using manipulative design features that exploit children's developing brains, such as endless scrolling or autoplay functions, and requires them to set age-appropriate defaults for privacy settings. Companies must also limit the collection of personal data from minors and prohibit the use of precise geolocation tracking for users under 16. The bill defines specific age ranges for different developmental stages and requires businesses to consider these needs when designing their digital products and services.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Senator Richard Sears, who passed away in June 2024 at age 81. The document formally acknowledges his career as a state senator, his work as a youth counselor, and his leadership on the Judiciary Committee where he helped advance legislation on civil unions, marriage equality, and juvenile justice. It also notes his personal history, including being adopted as an infant and later establishing a mentoring program for boys in the justice system. The resolution expresses the Senate's sadness at his passing and directs that a copy be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the public service career of Senator Martha Jane Kitchel, recognizing her work in both the Executive Branch and the Vermont Senate. The document highlights her progression from social work to leadership roles in the Department of Social Welfare and later as Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, followed by her legislative service in the Senate. It specifically acknowledges her contributions as Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where she led budget analysis and supported infrastructure projects like the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. The resolution formally recognizes her two decades of service and her recent announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2024.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution declares the rising number of drug overdose deaths in Vermont to be a public health emergency. It directly affects the state government by formally recognizing the severity of the opioid crisis, which has seen overdose deaths increase from 42 in 2010 to 264 in 2022. The resolution highlights that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are now involved in the majority of these deaths, often mixed with other substances. By making this declaration, the bill directs state officials to acknowledge the urgency of the situation, though it does not create new funding or specific policy changes. The resolution serves as an official statement of concern rather than a law that alters existing programs or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's building energy code requirements and establishes procedures for a working group to oversee compliance. It creates a working group that will receive administrative and legal support from the Department of Public Service to review energy standards and submit reports to state committees by November 2024 and 2025. The legislation also updates the residential building contractor registry to require contractors to acknowledge compliance with state energy standards and mandates website updates to clarify these legal requirements. Additionally, the bill extends a deadline for energy code compliance from February 2030 to July 2026 and requires contract templates to include statements about energy standard compliance.