Sen. Ruth Hardy

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the use of cash bail in Vermont by prohibiting courts from requiring bail for most misdemeanor offenses at initial court appearances, with limited exceptions for specific serious crimes like domestic assault and child abuse where bail is capped at $200. It also directs the Vermont Sentencing Commission to develop a plan for eliminating cash bail entirely by consulting with community organizations and experts, while establishing an electronic notification system to remind defendants of court dates to reduce missed appearances. The immediate changes take effect on July 1, 2025, with additional reports and recommendations due to the General Assembly by December 2023 and December 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Vermont to raise awareness about drug overdoses and honor those affected by them. The legislation requires the Vermont State flag to be flown at half-staff on all state-owned flagpoles each August 31 to mark the observance. It also adds these provisions to the state code and includes a clause that will repeal the designation in 2033. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is based on findings about rising opioid-related deaths in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally recognizes two specific weeks in Vermont as National Skilled Nursing Care Week and National Assisted Living Week to honor long-term care facilities and their staff. The bill designates May 14-20 as National Skilled Nursing Care Week and September 10-16 as National Assisted Living Week to acknowledge the work of caregivers and support residents in these facilities. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to relevant health and disability organizations, facilitating official recognition of these observances. The measure does not create new funding or policy requirements but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the importance of skilled nursing and assisted living care in Vermont.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill expands the State Auditor's authority to review financial records of state contractors, allowing the Auditor to examine documents relevant to contract performance. The law requires state contracts to include terms granting the Auditor discretion to access contractor records, while protecting non-public information from public inspection. It also updates existing statutes to clarify that all state departments and contractors must provide requested records for audit purposes. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to any entity providing services to the state government.

Maddy summaryThis bill would repeal Vermont's current prostitution laws that criminalize consensual adult sex work while maintaining strict penalties for human trafficking. It directly affects adults who engage in sex work for hire by removing criminal charges for voluntary participation, while keeping severe felony penalties for those who recruit, transport, or coerce others into commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. The legislation clarifies that "coercion" includes threats of harm, financial abuse, withholding identification documents, drug administration to impair judgment, and debt bondage, ensuring these serious crimes remain illegal. By repealing the outdated 1900s-era prostitution statutes, the bill aims to align Vermont's laws with modern understandings of bodily autonomy while preserving protections against trafficking and exploitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Vermont statute governing the Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College to increase the total number of trustees from 25 to 27 members. The change adds two new faculty trustee positions that will be elected by the university faculty to six-year terms, with the Faculty Senate overseeing the election process. The bill also clarifies student trustee selection procedures, establishing that student representatives must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are at least 18 years old. These provisions take effect immediately upon passage, with new faculty trustees required to be elected by August 1, 2023, to fill the expanded board.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Vermont's minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2025, with annual adjustments thereafter based on inflation or a five percent increase, whichever is smaller. It also establishes a study committee to examine whether to eliminate certain exemptions from minimum wage coverage, including for tipped workers, and to investigate paying inmates at least the minimum wage. The committee will analyze impacts on jobs, prices, worker welfare, and correctional budgets, and must submit its findings and recommendations by November 15, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for search warrants in Vermont, primarily affecting law enforcement officers and property owners. It prohibits no-knock warrants unless there is verified evidence that announcing the officer's presence would create an imminent danger to life, and requires officers to knock, announce their presence, and wait at least 30 seconds before entering a premises. The legislation also mandates that warrants be executed between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless there is reasonable cause to believe a felony will be committed or danger exists, requires officers to wear uniforms with visible identification, mandates the use of body cameras during warrant execution, and requires law enforcement agencies to reimburse property owners for damages caused during warrant execution unless the occupant is convicted of a related crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Vermont to provide monthly $1,000 cash transfers to youth leaving the foster care system. The program is voluntary, and participants must complete annual surveys to assess their progress in finances, health, employment, housing, and education. The cash transfers are designed to be tax-free and will not count toward eligibility for other state and federal benefits like SNAP, medical assistance, or financial aid. Funding of $650,000 is allocated for the 2024 fiscal year, and the Department for Children and Families must submit a final report by November 2025 with findings and recommendations.