Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky

Maddy summaryThis proposal seeks to amend the Vermont Constitution by removing the requirement that criminals be punished through hard labor. It directly affects how the state legally handles sentencing for non-capital crimes by eliminating a constitutional mandate for forced labor as punishment. The bill would repeal Section 64 of Chapter II, which currently states that convicted criminals should be employed for public benefit or to repair private injuries while allowing public observation of their work. If approved by voters in 2026, this change would update Vermont's constitutional framework to reflect modern attitudes toward incarceration and justice.

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 By repealing the outdated 1900s-era prostitution statutes, the bill aims to align Vermont's laws with modern understandings of bodily autonomy while preserving protections against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 amends the Vermont statute governing the Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College to increase the total number of trustees from 25 to 27 members. The change adds two new faculty trustee positions that will be elected by the university faculty to six-year terms, with the Faculty Senate overseeing the election process. The bill also clarifies student trustee selection procedures, establishing that student representatives must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are at least 18 years old. These provisions take effect immediately upon passage, with new faculty trustees required to be elected by August 1, 2023, to fill the expanded board.

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 increases Vermont's minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2025, with annual adjustments thereafter based on inflation or a five percent increase, whichever is smaller. It also establishes a study committee to examine whether to eliminate certain exemptions from minimum wage coverage, including for tipped workers, and to investigate paying inmates at least the minimum wage. The committee will analyze impacts on jobs, prices, worker welfare, and correctional budgets, and must submit its findings and recommendations by November 15, 2023.

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 establishes new regulations for search warrants in Vermont, primarily affecting law enforcement officers and property owners. It prohibits no-knock warrants unless there is verified evidence that announcing the officer's presence would create an imminent danger to life, and requires officers to knock, announce their presence, and wait at least 30 seconds before entering a premises. The legislation also mandates that warrants be executed between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. unless there is reasonable cause to believe a felony will be committed or danger exists, requires officers to wear uniforms with visible identification, mandates the use of body cameras during warrant execution, and requires law enforcement agencies to reimburse property owners for damages caused during warrant execution unless the occupant is convicted of a related crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Vermont to provide monthly $1,000 cash transfers to youth leaving the foster care system. The program is voluntary, and participants must complete annual surveys to assess their progress in finances, health, employment, housing, and education. The cash transfers are designed to be tax-free and will not count toward eligibility for other state and federal benefits like SNAP, medical assistance, or financial aid. Funding of $650,000 is allocated for the 2024 fiscal year, and the Department for Children and Families must submit a final report by November 2025 with findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Shawna Wakeham-Smith on the tenth anniversary of her role as Director of Wish Granting at Make-A-Wish Vermont. The resolution recognizes her decade of leadership in facilitating life-changing wishes for children facing major health challenges and acknowledges her work as a liaison between families and organizations. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to both Wakeham-Smith and Make-A-Wish Vermont to honor her contributions.