Sen. Ruth Hardy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers, the state employee health plan, and school employee health plans to increase their spending on primary care to at least 15 percent of total health care costs, with annual increases of at least one percentage point until that target is reached. The law mandates that these spending increases cannot lead to higher premiums, increased payments to providers, or higher overall costs for the plans, and requires annual reporting to the Green Mountain Care Board on progress. Additionally, the bill conditions future Medicare agreements on annual increases in primary care spending allocations and directs the state to align Medicaid primary care payment rates with Medicare levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Chloride Contamination Reduction Program within Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources to address water quality concerns caused by road salt and salt alternatives. The program requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to develop training and certification for commercial and municipal salt applicators, establishing best management practices that promote efficient salt use and prevent runoff into state waters. Key provisions include creating a public database to track salt purchases and applications, setting reduction targets for chloride levels in water, and providing liability protections for certified applicators who follow established practices. The bill also mandates record-keeping requirements for salt applications and gives the Secretary authority to revoke certifications for violations of the program's rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new property tax surcharge on nonprimary dwellings in Vermont, which are defined as weatherized homes suitable for year-round living that are neither long-term rentals nor occupied by their owners as primary residences. The surcharge amounts to $0.25 for every $100 of property value and applies to properties that meet specific criteria, such as having permanent heating, insulation, and year-round plumbing, while excluding standard rental units and owner-occupied homes. All revenue collected from this surcharge will be directed to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to fund the construction of affordable housing throughout the state. The legislation also establishes a new Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund to manage these funds and clarifies that the surcharge revenue will not be included in the state's Education Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill would protect people and organizations involved in safer drug consumption programs from criminal prosecution and civil penalties. It defines these programs as supervised spaces where individuals can use preobtained drugs with access to sterile supplies, overdose monitoring, first aid, and referrals to treatment services. The legislation also removes a future expiration date for the exemption that allows possession of small amounts of buprenorphine without criminal penalty. To receive legal protections, program operators must publicly report annual data on participants, supplies distributed, and overdose incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces several updates to Vermont laws covering vehicle safety, emissions, and transportation planning. It strengthens rules against modified exhaust systems that increase noise or fumes, establishes stricter child restraint requirements for passengers under 18, and mandates public outreach campaigns to educate drivers about idling and car seat safety. The legislation also requires highways to provide pedestrian and bicycle access by December 1, 2023, while updating related permits and landscaping standards. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, parents, drivers, and transportation planners across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Vermont that would provide paid, job-protected leave to employees and self-employed individuals for specific reasons including serious illness, childbirth, adoption, military family needs, and domestic or sexual violence situations. The program would be administered by the Office of the Treasurer and would allow workers to take time off to care for themselves or family members facing health issues, or to seek medical care, counseling, or safe housing after experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligible workers would need to meet certain work history requirements and pay contributions to fund the benefits, with leave defined as "safe leave" specifically for victims of abuse to access services, recover from injuries, or relocate to secure safe environments. The legislation also expands the definition of family members to include individuals with significant personal bonds regardless of biological or legal relationships, ensuring broader coverage for diverse family structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts that do not operate their own elementary or high schools to designate eligible public or independent schools to serve as the district's public schools. It allows these districts to pay tuition to designated schools for their students, with specific criteria for which independent schools qualify, such as being recognized regional centers or having historical public school status. The legislation also removes the definition and approval process for independent schools while keeping the enrollment process for recognized independent schools intact. Additionally, it creates a new definition for therapeutic schools and updates special education tuition provisions. The changes apply to school districts and their students, with oversight and reimbursement rules for tuition payments between districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and Vermont Medicaid to cover specific fertility-related services for all insured individuals and Medicaid beneficiaries. It mandates coverage for fertility diagnostic care, intrauterine insemination, at least three rounds of in vitro fertilization with donor or partner gametes, and clinically appropriate fertility medications. The legislation also prohibits insurers from imposing higher costs or restrictions based on the use of donor materials or surrogacy, while excluding experimental procedures and nonmedical donor costs. Additionally, the bill directs the state to seek federal approval to expand Medicaid coverage for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to install renewable heating systems and non-fossil fuel cooking appliances when replacing existing equipment in buildings they own or control. It applies to the Department of Buildings and General Services, the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and the Agency of Transportation, mandating that new primary heating and cooking systems use non-fossil fuel sources starting in fiscal year 2024. Agencies may request written exemptions if installing renewable systems is deemed financially impracticable, and they must report any exemptions or continued use of fossil fuel systems to legislative committees annually. The legislation also permits fossil fuel systems to serve as backup heating during peak periods if non-fossil fuel backup options are unavailable.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants Vermont municipalities the authority to create local rules that limit or reduce firearm discharges, with the exception of existing sport shooting ranges. The law allows towns, cities, and villages to regulate firearm use for public safety but explicitly forbids them from banning shooting at established ranges. Municipalities must ensure any new ordinances align with state regulations and cannot prohibit firearm discharges at current sport shooting facilities. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, giving local governments new regulatory tools over firearm discharge while protecting designated shooting ranges.