Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky

Maddy summaryS 54 would repeal Vermont’s laws criminalizing consensual sex work between adults and "indiscriminate sexual intercourse" for hire, while maintaining felony penalties for human trafficking. It directly affects adult sex workers who engage voluntarily, removing criminal penalties for their work. The bill replaces outdated laws (dating to the early 1900s) with a focus on protecting those compelled into sex work through force, fraud, or coercion. The legislation cites research showing criminalization increases health risks and safety threats for sex workers, aligning with a 2018 Johns Hopkins study on the harms of sex work laws.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill (S 70) requires data brokers - businesses that collect and sell personal information about consumers without a direct relationship (like a customer or employee) - to take specific steps to protect residents' privacy. It mandates that data brokers notify consumers of security breaches involving personal data, certify that data is used for legitimate purposes, and provide an accessible way for consumers to request deletion of their information. The bill directly affects Vermont residents whose personal data is collected by these brokers and sets clear rules for how brokers must handle and protect that information. It does not apply to businesses sharing publicly available business or professional information or those maintaining directory services.

Maddy summaryVermont's S.72 requires the state pension investment commission to review the fossil fuel holdings in three public retirement systems (state employees', teachers', and municipal employees' funds) by December 2025. The bill mandates a plan to fully divest these systems from fossil fuels by December 2030, with a longer-term goal to divest private investments containing fossil fuels by December 2040, unless holdings are below a "de minimis" threshold (less than 2% of portfolios). The commission must submit annual progress reports to legislative committees starting in 2027. This directly affects Vermont's public employee pension funds, not private retirement accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for Vermont state agencies when entering contracts to outsource services previously performed by state employees (called "privatization contracts"). It requires agencies to provide 35 days of notice to employee unions before bidding begins, during which alternatives to outsourcing can be discussed. Contracts must save the state at least 20% in costs compared to using state employees, guarantee private contractors pay at least the average wage for comparable state positions, and provide health insurance benefits equal to those offered to state workers. The bill also mandates quality standards, non-discrimination protections, and a review panel to ensure compliance before contracts are finalized.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 12) is a non-binding ceremonial resolution expressing legislative congratulations to the University of Vermont (UVM) men's soccer team for winning their first NCAA Division I men's soccer championship (College Cup) in 2024. It formally recognizes the team's achievement, including their "Cardiac Cats" nickname and championship victory over Marshall University. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to UVM Athletics but does not create any new policy, funding, or legal obligations. It is purely symbolic recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont's Department of Human Resources to implement reference-based pricing for inpatient and outpatient hospital services (excluding critical access hospitals) in the state employees' health plan starting in 2026. It limits annual premium growth for the plan to no more than medical inflation in the Northeast region and allows school employers to join the plan to cover their employees. The policy directly affects current state employees, school employees whose employers participate, and the state government as the health plan administrator. The Department must report annually on the program's cost impact to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using geofencing technology within 1,850 feet of reproductive health care facilities to track or target patients, and bans law enforcement from obtaining "reverse keyword warrants" that identify people searching online for reproductive health services. It directly affects individuals seeking reproductive care (by protecting their location and search privacy), health care facilities (by restricting surveillance near their locations), and law enforcement (by banning specific surveillance methods). Key provisions include banning location-based tracking via apps or devices, preventing targeted messaging to patients near clinics, and prohibiting government entities from seeking warrants based on online search terms related to reproductive health. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with violations punishable by up to $500 per offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill implements Vermont's participation in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program, allowing eligible SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants. Restaurants must meet specific criteria - such as being licensed, promoting locally sourced foods, representing diverse cultural cuisines, and operating in areas with high SNAP participation - to join the program. The bill allocates $100,000 for a new program coordinator position and $75,000 for restaurant startup costs, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryS.33 allocates $450,000 for a two-year pilot program to enhance community nursing services for aging Vermonters. Existing community nurse programs can apply for funding to create health worker positions, expand home visits without limits, fill service gaps, and improve data tracking. Participating programs must report on service outcomes, gaps, and improvements by December 2027, with the pilot starting July 2025. This directly affects aging Vermonters receiving services and community nurse programs seeking to expand their reach.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont hospitals to report administrative staffing ratios and executive compensation data to the Green Mountain Care Board during budget reviews. It mandates that administrative staff ratios align with national averages for similar hospitals and caps executive pay at no more than 10 times the salary of the lowest-paid direct patient care staff. These requirements apply to all hospitals submitting budgets for fiscal years 2027 and later. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, with implementation for 2027 budgets.