Sen. Martine Gulick

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 bill updates the rules for nominating candidates to Vermont unified union school district boards by standardizing the signature requirements across all three representation models. Under the new provisions, a nomination petition must be signed by either 30 voters or one percent of the legal voters in the relevant area, whichever number is smaller. The changes apply to proposed districts, existing unified districts using modified at-large systems, and fully at-large representation models. The bill also specifies filing deadlines and requirements for candidate consent to appear on the ballot.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, would regulate kratom products in Vermont by establishing labeling requirements and an age restriction. It directly affects processors and retailers who sell kratom, requiring them to label products with specific alkaloid content and prohibiting sales to anyone under 18 years old. The legislation mandates that kratom products be tested by independent laboratories, prohibits the sale of products containing dangerous contaminants or synthetic alkaloids, and requires annual registration fees for processors. Additionally, the bill removes kratom from the state's list of regulated drugs, clarifying its legal status while implementing consumer safety measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts Vermont employers from conducting criminal history checks, credit checks, and drug tests on job applicants and employees unless the information has a direct relationship to the specific job duties. It prohibits employers from asking about credit history on initial applications and requires criminal background checks to occur only after an applicant has been deemed qualified for a position, with narrow exceptions for roles involving financial responsibility, law enforcement, emergency medical services, or positions where federal or state law mandates disqualification based on certain convictions. Drug testing is allowed only after a conditional job offer is made, with written notice provided to the applicant, and for current employees only when there is probable cause of drug use on the job, provided the employer offers an assistance program and the employee is not terminated if they successfully complete rehabilitation. The legislation also protects applicants and employees from retaliation if they file complaints or cooperate with investigations regarding unlawful employment practices related to these screening procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new protections for Vermont employees by granting paid voting leave, requiring good cause for termination, and safeguarding employee free speech rights. It mandates that employers provide at least two hours of paid leave on election days and Town Meeting Day for eligible voters, while also prohibiting retaliation for exercising these rights. The legislation adds a "good cause" standard for firing employees, defining it as a legitimate business reason or employment of less than 90 days, and prevents employers from discriminating against workers for exercising First Amendment rights unless it materially interferes with job performance. Additionally, the bill restricts employers from asking about job status on applications or interfering with employees' efforts to seek other employment, and designates such interference as an unfair labor practice for public sector employers.

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 proposes to decriminalize possession of a personal use supply of regulated drugs in Vermont by reducing penalties from criminal charges to a civil offense with a $50 fine. Instead of facing criminal prosecution, individuals cited for this offense can avoid the penalty by agreeing to participate in substance use disorder screening and related services. The legislation would also establish a Drug Use Standards Advisory Board to determine benchmark personal use dosages and supplies, and allow for the immediate sealing of criminal records for those previously arrested or convicted of possessing amounts below these benchmarks. Additionally, the bill authorizes pilot programs for drug-checking services that allow individuals to analyze substances for chemical composition and contaminants to prevent overdoses. These changes aim to shift Vermont's approach from a criminal justice model to a public health strategy focused on harm reduction and treatment access.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restrict trapping of fur-bearing animals in Vermont to only those authorized for property defense or conducted by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. It establishes a new nuisance wildlife trapping license and requires anyone setting traps on another person's property to provide prior notice and obtain permission. The law allows landowners, their employees, and government officials to trap animals threatening domestic animals, property, agricultural crops, or public infrastructure, but mandates that traps be checked every 24 hours and that trapped animals be released if uninjured or humanely killed. Anyone taking animals for compensation must hold a valid nuisance wildlife trapping license, and all pelts taken under these provisions must be inspected and certified before storage, sale, or transfer.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the Essex High School girls' volleyball team on winning their second consecutive Vermont State championship. The resolution recognizes the team's undefeated regular season performance and their decisive 3-0 victory over Champlain Valley Union High School in the championship match. It lists the names of the team members and coaches who achieved this accomplishment. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to Essex High School as an official acknowledgment of their success.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Adult Guardianship Equity Act, moves guardianship cases for adults with developmental disabilities from the Family Division to the Probate Division of Vermont's Superior Court. It establishes new rules requiring that guardianship be used only when necessary to protect an individual's rights, prioritizing voluntary guardianship options and ensuring the least restrictive approach is taken. The law also repeals the previous chapter governing guardianship services for people with developmental disabilities and creates specific procedures for when the Office of Public Guardian must be appointed if no private guardian is available. Additionally, it clarifies that individuals receiving guardianship services can appeal decisions or petition to modify or terminate their guardianship through the court system.