Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the use of cash bail in Vermont by prohibiting courts from requiring bail for most misdemeanor offenses at initial court appearances, with limited exceptions for specific serious crimes like domestic assault and child abuse where bail is capped at $200. It also directs the Vermont Sentencing Commission to develop a plan for eliminating cash bail entirely by consulting with community organizations and experts, while establishing an electronic notification system to remind defendants of court dates to reduce missed appearances. The immediate changes take effect on July 1, 2025, with additional reports and recommendations due to the General Assembly by December 2023 and December 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2023 Winooski High School Spartans boys' basketball team on winning the Division III state championship. The resolution recognizes the team's 57-52 victory over Hazen Union High School, their first state title in 12 years, and their undefeated season with 22 wins. It specifically names the 11 players and four coaches who contributed to the championship and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Winooski High School. This is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to acknowledge the team's athletic achievement.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day in Vermont to raise awareness about drug overdoses and honor those affected by them. The legislation requires the Vermont State flag to be flown at half-staff on all state-owned flagpoles each August 31 to mark the observance. It also adds these provisions to the state code and includes a clause that will repeal the designation in 2033. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023, and is based on findings about rising opioid-related deaths in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 22, 2023, as Vermont Tourism Day at the State House to recognize the state's tourism industry. It directly affects state officials and the tourism sector by creating an official day to celebrate visitors and the economic benefits they bring. The resolution acknowledges tourism's role in generating tax revenue, jobs, and economic impact across Vermont's communities. The Secretary of State will send a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of Marketing and Tourism to coordinate the observance. This is a ceremonial measure with no changes to laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marshall Webb, a nonprofit cofounder and environmental advocate who passed away in 2022. It recognizes his contributions to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont center for sustainability education, and acknowledges his personal connection to the organization and the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to Webb's family and Shelburne Farms as a formal expression of appreciation. This measure does not change laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge Webb's legacy and impact on the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires legislative approval from the Vermont General Assembly before the Vermont State Colleges can close, reduce, or convert any physical library that existed on January 1, 2023. It also prevents the colleges from reducing library staff positions, employees, or work hours below the levels established on that same date without state approval. The law affects the Vermont State Colleges Corporation and its library operations across all campuses. If passed, the colleges would need explicit permission from lawmakers before making changes to their library facilities or staffing levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for nominating candidates to Vermont unified union school district boards by standardizing the signature requirements across all three representation models. Under the new provisions, a nomination petition must be signed by either 30 voters or one percent of the legal voters in the relevant area, whichever number is smaller. The changes apply to proposed districts, existing unified districts using modified at-large systems, and fully at-large representation models. The bill also specifies filing deadlines and requirements for candidate consent to appear on the ballot.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's cannabis regulatory framework by creating new business licenses for delivery services, special events, and temporary events, while also allowing certain cultivators to sell directly to consumers. It adjusts product standards by increasing the maximum THC allowed per package from 50 to 100 milligrams and per serving from 5 to 10 milligrams, and permits cannabis consumption in public spaces where tobacco use is currently allowed. The legislation also directs additional cannabis excise tax revenue toward the Cannabis Business Development Fund and communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis prohibition, expanding funding to include substance misuse prevention and harm reduction programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts Vermont employers from conducting criminal history checks, credit checks, and drug tests on job applicants and employees unless the information has a direct relationship to the specific job duties. It prohibits employers from asking about credit history on initial applications and requires criminal background checks to occur only after an applicant has been deemed qualified for a position, with narrow exceptions for roles involving financial responsibility, law enforcement, emergency medical services, or positions where federal or state law mandates disqualification based on certain convictions. Drug testing is allowed only after a conditional job offer is made, with written notice provided to the applicant, and for current employees only when there is probable cause of drug use on the job, provided the employer offers an assistance program and the employee is not terminated if they successfully complete rehabilitation. The legislation also protects applicants and employees from retaliation if they file complaints or cooperate with investigations regarding unlawful employment practices related to these screening procedures.

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.