Sen. Andrew Perchlik

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 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 bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2022 Montpelier High School Division III championship field hockey team. It recognizes the team's achievement of winning the state championship and earning a 13-4 season record, highlighting the players and coaches who contributed to their success. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Montpelier High School as an official record of the General Assembly's acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing civil penalties to GPS navigation providers if their systems fail to warn drivers about prohibited vehicle restrictions on the Smugglers' Notch segment of Vermont Route 108. It directly affects companies that sell, subscribe to, or offer free GPS navigation services, including software and route planning tools. Under the new provisions, providers could face a $2,000 fine if their systems do not explicitly notify users of the route's closure restrictions for large vehicles during winter. The bill also requires the Vermont Agency of Transportation to provide notice of these restrictions to GPS providers and install appropriate signage. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, Vermont's publicly financed health care program, over a ten-year period starting with primary care in the first year and adding preventive dental and vision services in the second year. It establishes an advisory group within the Green Mountain Care Board to recommend how to sequence and finance additional health services for years three through ten, aiming for comprehensive coverage by the tenth year. The legislation requires the state to seek federal waivers to modify existing health insurance rules and mandates detailed financial analysis to ensure the program is economically sustainable and reduces overall health care spending. It also directs the Green Mountain Care Board to consider cost-sharing options and ensures health care professionals receive adequate reimbursement to recruit and retain staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change Vermont's sales tax rules to include candy as a taxable item, currently exempting it from the sales and use tax that applies to most food products. The legislation defines candy as sugar or sweetener-based preparations like bars, drops, or pieces made with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients, while excluding flour-based items and products requiring refrigeration. Once enacted, candy purchases would be subject to the standard sales tax rate, and the change would take effect on January 1, 2024. This policy aligns Vermont's tax treatment of candy with the multistate Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement.

Maddy summaryThis bill would protect people and organizations involved in safer drug consumption programs from criminal prosecution and civil penalties. It defines these programs as supervised spaces where individuals can use preobtained drugs with access to sterile supplies, overdose monitoring, first aid, and referrals to treatment services. The legislation also removes a future expiration date for the exemption that allows possession of small amounts of buprenorphine without criminal penalty. To receive legal protections, program operators must publicly report annual data on participants, supplies distributed, and overdose incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Vermont that would provide paid, job-protected leave to employees and self-employed individuals for specific reasons including serious illness, childbirth, adoption, military family needs, and domestic or sexual violence situations. The program would be administered by the Office of the Treasurer and would allow workers to take time off to care for themselves or family members facing health issues, or to seek medical care, counseling, or safe housing after experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligible workers would need to meet certain work history requirements and pay contributions to fund the benefits, with leave defined as "safe leave" specifically for victims of abuse to access services, recover from injuries, or relocate to secure safe environments. The legislation also expands the definition of family members to include individuals with significant personal bonds regardless of biological or legal relationships, ensuring broader coverage for diverse family structures.