Sen. Phil Baruth

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the leaders of Vermont's General Assembly to officially end the 2026 legislative session by May 29 or 30 of that year. It establishes a specific deadline for the Senate and House to stop meeting, ensuring the state government transitions to its regular non-legislative operations. By setting this final date, the resolution provides a clear timeline for when elected officials must conclude their duties for that term.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Vermont law enforcement officers (including local, state, and federal officers working in the state) to clearly display their name or badge number on their uniform during public interactions. It prohibits wearing masks or personal disguises while performing duties, with exceptions for medical masks (surgical/N95), fire/smoke protection, water rescues, chemical/biological hazard protection, and cold-weather emergencies. Officers violating these rules face fines up to $1,000 or loss of licensure. The law aims to enhance public transparency and safety during officer-public encounters, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates Vermont's Voting Rights Act to protect voters from discrimination. It requires municipalities to get Attorney General approval before changing election districts or methods (a "pre-clearance" system), bans racial gerrymandering, and prohibits at-large voting systems that weaken minority voting power. The law mandates language assistance for voters in minority languages and new voting accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. It also criminalizes voter intimidation and spreading false election information. The bill directly affects all Vermont towns, cities, and school districts that hold elections.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 64) creates a new "advanced therapeutic procedures specialty" for optometrists, allowing them to perform specific eye treatments currently restricted to ophthalmologists. It permits optometrists with this specialty to conduct procedures like removing superficial eye foreign bodies, minor lesion excisions (e.g., chalazia), corneal crosslinking, certain laser treatments (capsulotomy, iridotomy), and targeted injections (e.g., for chalazia or subconjunctival therapy). The bill explicitly prohibits optometrists from performing complex surgeries such as LASIK, corneal transplants, retinal procedures, or injections into the vitreous chamber. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Vermont who pursue the specialty and expands patient access to certain eye care services within defined boundaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont General Assembly to adjourn on either May 22 or May 23, 2026, if the legislature meets on a weekend. The key provision requires the state legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2026. This resolution affects the legislative schedule by setting specific dates for the end and resumption of the session.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, June 2, 2026, if it adjourns on either Friday, May 29, or Saturday, May 30, 2026. The measure applies specifically to the state's two legislative chambers and sets a fixed return date for the upcoming session break. By establishing this specific timeline, the resolution ensures that legislative business resumes promptly after the designated weekend dates.

Maddy summaryVermont's S.157 establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery residences (temporary housing for people recovering from substance use disorders) through the Department of Health. To become certified, residences must meet standards including peer-support certification, compliance with health/safety rules, transparent complaint procedures, and annual reporting of resident data like stay length and employment outcomes. The bill also requires certified residences to follow specific exit policies for residents violating safety or substance use rules, with strict conditions for immediate transfers. This applies directly to recovery residences seeking certification, not to residents themselves, and mandates annual data reporting to both the Department of Health and state legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally honors Professor Jessica Holmes for her public service on Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board. The document recognizes her contributions to healthcare regulation, including her work on reducing wait times and managing resources, as well as her role as interim chair during leadership transitions. It highlights her professional background in health economics and her academic achievements at Middlebury College, Yale, and Colgate. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Professor Holmes, serving as a commemorative gesture rather than a change in law or policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Vermont General Assembly to adjourn on Friday, May 15, 2026, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 19, 2026. It specifically affects the state legislature by setting a mandatory weekend break for the session. The resolution establishes a fixed schedule for the next meeting day to ensure continuity in legislative operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Vermont's firearm laws by increasing penalties for theft and possession. It classifies stealing any firearm as a serious felony and raises prison sentences for individuals with prior convictions who possess guns again. The legislation also bans firearm ownership for people with certain mental health court findings, prohibits machine guns, and restricts carrying weapons on licensed alcohol premises.