Sen. Ginny Lyons

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes Vermont's health care regulatory structure by transferring certain duties from the Green Mountain Care Board to the Director of Health Care Reform in the Agency of Human Services. It establishes new requirements for health insurers to participate in multipayer alternative payment models and mandates nonbinding mediation before terminating contracts between health care providers and health plans. The legislation also creates processes for certifying Medicare-only accountable care organizations, requires alignment of insurer credentialing practices and data collection, and sets up an advisory group to provide input to the Board. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for hospital budget reviews, merger approvals, and the establishment of a student nurse apprenticeship program.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a ban on issuing new certificates of need for home health agencies in Vermont until January 1, 2030, or until the state legislature reviews a progress report on healthcare reform initiatives, whichever happens first. The restriction prevents new agencies from opening to offer home health services, including hospice care, during this period, but it does not apply to continuing care retirement communities or licensed homes for terminally ill individuals. The Green Mountain Care Board must submit regular progress reports to state health committees while the moratorium is in effect to explain how healthcare reform efforts relate to home health agencies. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and directly impacts home health agency operators and state healthcare planners.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Vermont My Health My Data Act to strengthen privacy protections for consumer health data collected by non-healthcare entities like apps and websites. It requires companies to obtain clear, specific consent before collecting or sharing health information and prohibits selling such data without explicit consumer authorization. The law also grants consumers the right to delete their health data and bans the use of geofencing technology around healthcare facilities to gather data. These provisions apply to both Vermont residents and individuals whose health data is collected within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont custody laws to require courts to consider a child's own wishes when deciding on living arrangements and contact with parents. It directly affects families going through divorce or custody disputes by adding the child's preferences as a specific factor judges must evaluate alongside existing criteria like parental ability to provide care and the quality of the child's current environment. The change does not give the child final decision-making power but ensures their voice is formally weighed in the best interests analysis. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all custody determinations made on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands financial assistance for child care providers in Vermont by granting them categorical eligibility for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, allowing them to apply for subsidies on behalf of their dependent children without their income being counted against eligibility. It also allocates $85,000 in fiscal year 2025 to fund temporary health insurance navigation services for child care providers, with the intent to continue this support through fiscal year 2027. The changes apply to Vermont residents working full-time in private family child care homes, center-based programs, or afterschool programs, and the bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires independent schools approved by the Vermont State Board of Education to annually confirm they have a nondiscrimination statement on their website and in application materials, and to comply with state antidiscrimination laws in all admissions and operations. Schools that accept public tuition funds must also follow a streamlined admissions process that excludes mandatory interviews, entrance exams, academic history reviews, campus visits, and consideration of a family's ability to pay fees. The law applies to all approved independent schools regardless of accreditation status and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of trichloroethylene in various industrial applications, including as a vapor degreaser, refrigerant, extraction solvent, or intermediate chemical in manufacturing processes. It directly affects businesses and facilities that currently use this chemical for cleaning metal parts or other industrial purposes. The legislation defines specific terms like "vapor degreaser" and "extraction solvent" to clarify the scope of the ban. The prohibition will take effect on July 1, 2026, giving industries time to adjust their operations before the ban is enforced.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Vermont to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple member states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation establishes a framework for mutual recognition of social work licenses, facilitates the sharing of disciplinary information between states, and supports telehealth services for increased access to care. Key provisions include protecting public safety through coordinated oversight, reducing administrative burdens for social workers, and providing specific accommodations for military families who may need to relocate frequently.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Prekindergarten Education Study Committee in Vermont to examine and make recommendations for improving access to affordable, high-quality prekindergarten education for three- and four-year-old children. The committee will consist of representatives from state agencies, education associations, private child care providers, and families, tasked with analyzing quality standards, workforce needs, funding options, and potential transitions to a public school-based system. The committee must submit a report with findings and draft legislative recommendations by December 1, 2023, to the relevant state legislative committees. This measure directly affects child care providers, public school districts, families with young children, and state education agencies by creating a structured process to evaluate and potentially expand prekindergarten services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes statewide standards for law enforcement interrogations in Vermont to reduce false confessions and wrongful convictions. It requires electronic recording of all custodial interrogations for felony and misdemeanor cases, with limited exceptions for emergencies or equipment failures. The legislation also prohibits law enforcement from using threats or physical harm during any interrogation and restricts the use of deception when questioning juveniles under 18, while creating a presumption against admissibility for statements obtained through deceptive tactics involving young adults aged 18 to 21. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Vermont Criminal Justice Council develop and enforce a statewide model interrogation policy applicable to all law enforcement agencies and constables.