Sen. Martine Gulick

Maddy summaryThis bill would limit hospital liens on patient injury settlements in Vermont by prohibiting hospitals from claiming liens when patients have health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, or plans where the hospital is a participating provider. It would cap hospital liens at 25 percent of the net amount received by the patient and require hospitals to pay a fair share of legal and administrative costs associated with obtaining the settlement. The changes would apply to patients injured in accidents not covered by workers' compensation and would take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes procedures for obtaining emergency court orders against stalking or sexual assault outside of regular court hours, including weekends and holidays. It allows individuals to file complaints and affidavits electronically or through designated authorized personnel, who can administer oaths over the telephone and communicate requests to judges for immediate review. The bill requires that any issued orders include a hearing date within 14 days for the defendant to contest the order, and it mandates that all orders and affidavits carry specific warnings about criminal penalties for violations or false statements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the open carry of firearms at polling places, political debates, and public demonstrations in Vermont. It directly affects individuals who wish to carry visible firearms in these specific locations, while allowing law enforcement officers and government employees to carry firearms for official duties. The legislation defines a public demonstration as gatherings of 25 or more people expressing views or grievances and sets penalties of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for violations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not regulate firearms carried in motor vehicles.

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 requires employers in Vermont to provide air conditioning in all motor vehicles used for delivering, picking up, or transporting goods and materials. The law applies to vehicles operated on public highways and must cool all areas where employees might be located during operation. Employers who use third-party delivery services are exempt from this requirement, and the Vermont Attorney General's office will handle complaints and enforcement instead of the Commission on Human Rights. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how members of Vermont's State Board of Education are appointed by distributing the ten seats among three different appointing authorities. Under the new process, the Governor would appoint four members, the Senate Committee on Committees would appoint three, and the House Speaker would appoint three, with all non-student members serving six-year terms that cannot be extended through reappointment. The bill also establishes a transition period starting July 1, 2024, where current board members can finish their existing terms while new appointments follow a staggered schedule to gradually implement the new distribution system. Additionally, the legislation maintains the requirement for two secondary student members on the board, with one having voting privileges in their second year of service. The bill aims to create a more balanced appointment structure while preserving existing diversity and expertise requirements for board members.

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 prohibits the use of trichloroethylene in various industrial applications, including as a vapor degreaser, refrigerant, extraction solvent, or intermediate chemical in manufacturing processes. It directly affects businesses and facilities that currently use this chemical for cleaning metal parts or other industrial purposes. The legislation defines specific terms like "vapor degreaser" and "extraction solvent" to clarify the scope of the ban. The prohibition will take effect on July 1, 2026, giving industries time to adjust their operations before the ban is enforced.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont state agencies to submit a report by September 1, 2025, recommending the creation of an independent Office of New Americans. The Agency of Human Services, Department of Labor, and Office of Racial Equity must gather data on current services for immigrants and refugees, review successful programs from other states, and consult with community organizations to identify barriers and needs. The report will outline the proposed structure, duties, funding, and staffing for the new office, focusing on improving government services for immigrants and refugees.

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.