Sen. Ginny Lyons

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the 2024 Burlington-Colchester Division I championship SeaLakers girls' ice hockey team for winning their state title. The document formally recognizes the team's victory over BFA-St. Albans Comets and lists the players and coaches who contributed to the win. It directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Burlington and Colchester High Schools for record-keeping purposes. The bill does not create new laws or policy changes but serves as an official acknowledgment of the team's athletic achievement.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Green Mountain Care Board's role in regulating prescription drug costs and establishes a formal process for nominating and appointing its members. Regarding drug costs, the Board must now evaluate how proposed programs might affect access to medications for Vermonters and consider impacts on other state agencies and the private sector before implementing regulations. The bill also creates a Green Mountain Care Board Nominating Committee to review applications and submit qualified candidate lists to the Governor, who then makes appointments subject to Senate consent. Board members will serve staggered terms of three to six years, with reappointments requiring Senate approval, and all committee proceedings remain confidential. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, with some provisions applying immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands employment protections in Vermont by prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees who decline to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about religious or political matters. It also prevents employers from requiring employees to attend such meetings, while allowing exceptions for communications required by law or necessary for job performance. The law includes specific exemptions for religious institutions, political organizations, and voluntary forums, and defines what constitutes political and religious matters for enforcement purposes. Additionally, the bill creates a study committee to examine how Vermont's labor laws apply to agricultural workers and identify potential ways to extend coverage to this group.

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill directs the Office of Professional Regulation to review whether doulas should be regulated through registration, certification, or licensure, with results due by January 2025. It also requires the Department of Vermont Health Access to calculate the estimated costs of adding doula services to Medicaid coverage and recommend whether to include them in the state's health plan. The bill defines a qualified doula as one who is registered, certified, or licensed by the state, and mandates that any Medicaid coverage for these services only apply to doulas meeting those standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Juneteenth, observed on June 19, as an official legal holiday in the state. The change applies to state government operations and employees, requiring them to observe the day as a holiday. The legislation takes effect on May 30, 2024, making it part of the state's recognized calendar of holidays.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health to develop a certification program for recovery residences and conduct an assessment of existing facilities in the state. The program would establish standards for resident rights, complaint processes, and certification levels, with a report due by January 15, 2025. The bill also requires the department to create an inventory of all recovery residences and submit assessment results by December 15, 2025. Additionally, it allows recovery residences to transfer or exit residents under specific conditions, such as policy violations or safety threats, provided proper procedures and alternative housing are arranged. The department must collect and report data on these exits and transfers for two years starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes state regulations prohibiting the intentional addition of specific harmful chemicals to cosmetic and menstrual products, including substances like PFAS, phthalates, and formaldehyde-releasing agents. It also bans the sale of products containing lead above ten parts per million and restricts 1,4-dioxane to no more than 10 parts per million. The legislation further regulates PFAS in consumer products such as apparel, mattresses, cookware, and artificial turf fields, while allowing for trace chemical contamination that results from manufacturing processes or packaging. Manufacturers must comply with these restrictions when selling products within the state, and the Department of Health is authorized to adopt additional rules regarding formaldehyde-releasing agents if safer alternatives are available.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates civil commitment procedures for individuals with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities, allowing treatment at secure residential recovery facilities and psychiatric residential treatment facilities for youth regardless of prior hospitalization. It changes the initial commitment period from an indeterminate time to 90 days, grants victims the right to submit impact statements to courts, and adds new licensing requirements for youth psychiatric facilities including nonprofit status, medical oversight, and safety standards. The legislation also expands reporting requirements for adverse events, ensures residents receive dignity and respect protections, and clarifies court procedures for involuntary treatment placements and reviews. Additionally, it creates alternative community-based residence options for individuals with intellectual disabilities who have been found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity and require secure care.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's climate change cost recovery program to allow the state to charge fossil fuel companies for climate adaptation costs without requiring them to be part of a specific support project. It changes how payment schedules work by requiring installments to be paid annually at 10% of the total amount, with interest charges and adjustments based on inflation. The law also extends the time companies have to respond to cost recovery notices from 15 to 30 days and clarifies that existing legal remedies remain available alongside this program. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, but apply retroactively to costs incurred since January 1, 1995.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group to study psychedelics for mental health treatment. The group will review existing research on the costs and benefits of using psychedelics in therapy and assess whether Vermont should allow healthcare providers to administer them legally. It will also examine how legal access would affect public health. The Working Group must submit its findings and recommendations to several state committees by November 15, 2024, with support from the Vermont Department of Mental Health and the Vermont Psychological Association.