Sen. Ruth Hardy

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont law to change the date when presidential electors meet to cast their votes for President and Vice President. It directly affects the state's electoral process by updating the timing of elector meetings in accordance with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act. The key provision amends Vermont Statutes to specify that electors must meet on the first Monday or Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December following their election. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to align state procedures with updated federal election requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans, including Medicaid, to provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment. It directly affects individuals with obesity and the health insurance providers that serve them. The legislation mandates coverage for FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, lifestyle interventions like nutrition counseling and exercise planning, and bariatric surgery when deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider. Additionally, the bill prohibits higher cost-sharing requirements for obesity treatment compared to other conditions and limits prior authorization barriers to ensure timely access to care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires independent schools approved by the Vermont State Board of Education to annually confirm they have a nondiscrimination statement on their website and in application materials, and to comply with state antidiscrimination laws in all admissions and operations. Schools that accept public tuition funds must also follow a streamlined admissions process that excludes mandatory interviews, entrance exams, academic history reviews, campus visits, and consideration of a family's ability to pay fees. The law applies to all approved independent schools regardless of accreditation status and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's judicial retention process by requiring a single joint assembly vote for all judges seeking retention and mandating that the Judicial Retention Committee conduct courtroom observations of judges up for reappointment. It adds empathy and demonstrated understanding of equity and bias to the list of performance factors the committee evaluates, while also allowing the committee to solicit public and bar member comments on judicial performance. The legislation appropriates $50,000 to reimburse the Judicial Nominating Board for paralegal services used during judicial nominations. These changes directly affect state judges, the Judicial Retention Committee, and the Judicial Nominating Board by altering how judicial performance is assessed and retention votes are conducted.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple member states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation establishes a framework for mutual recognition of social work licenses, facilitates the sharing of disciplinary information between states, and supports telehealth services for increased access to care. Key provisions include protecting public safety through coordinated oversight, reducing administrative burdens for social workers, and providing specific accommodations for military families who may need to relocate frequently.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Prekindergarten Education Study Committee in Vermont to examine and make recommendations for improving access to affordable, high-quality prekindergarten education for three- and four-year-old children. The committee will consist of representatives from state agencies, education associations, private child care providers, and families, tasked with analyzing quality standards, workforce needs, funding options, and potential transitions to a public school-based system. The committee must submit a report with findings and draft legislative recommendations by December 1, 2023, to the relevant state legislative committees. This measure directly affects child care providers, public school districts, families with young children, and state education agencies by creating a structured process to evaluate and potentially expand prekindergarten services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates compensation and health benefits for Vermont state legislators for the 2025-2026 legislative session. It sets weekly salaries of $1,000 for regular members and $1,230 for the Speaker and President Pro Tempore in 2025, with increases to $1,100 and $1,530 respectively in 2026, plus annual compensation adjustments tied to other constitutional officers. The legislation also clarifies that legislators must pay the same portion of health insurance premiums as executive branch employees, while certain organizations retain responsibility for their own employees' coverage. These changes apply to all compensation scenarios during the biennial session, including special sessions and per diem payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's state laws to strengthen protections against employment and public accommodation discrimination by expanding the definition of harassment and removing the requirement that such behavior be severe or pervasive to be unlawful. It directly affects employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and individuals by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, place of birth, age, crime victim status, and physical or mental conditions. Key provisions include clarifying that a single incident can constitute harassment, allowing claims without needing to compare treatment to another individual, and preventing settlement agreements from restricting an employee's ability to continue working for the employer. The bill also updates wage discrimination rules to ensure equal pay for equal work regardless of protected characteristics and clarifies that harassment can occur outside the workplace.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors Vanessa Davison, a long-time staff member of the Vermont General Assembly, for her 45 years of dedicated service. The resolution recognizes her work ethic, professionalism, and contributions to legislative operations, including managing administrative tasks, operating early computer systems, and serving as Journal Clerk for over 30 years. It formally acknowledges her role in preparing Senate Journals and training her successor to ensure continued quality in legislative record-keeping. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Davison as an official recognition of her retirement after concluding her career in the spring of 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill reformulates Vermont sheriff offices to improve accountability, transparency, and financial oversight. It requires assistant judges to co-sign financial transactions during sheriff transitions and mandates annual audits when sheriffs leave office. The legislation also establishes conflict of interest rules for sheriffs and deputies, requiring them to disclose and recuse themselves from matters involving personal or family interests. Additionally, sheriffs must file annual disclosure forms with the State Ethics Commission detailing their income sources, business ownership, and any conflicts involving their spouses or domestic partners. These changes aim to restore public trust by creating clearer financial controls and ethical standards for elected sheriffs and their staff.