Sen. Alison Clarkson

Maddy summaryThis bill would require law enforcement officers in Vermont to detain a driver for a separate violation before issuing a ticket for specific motor vehicle infractions. It directly affects drivers who are pulled over and the officers who enforce traffic laws by changing how certain violations are handled. The law lists ten specific offenses, such as driving without a license, operating an uninspected vehicle, and having broken taillights, that can only be enforced as secondary violations. This means an officer must have a reason to stop the driver for another issue, like speeding or a broken taillight, before they can cite them for these particular offenses. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and legacy of former Representative John C. Candon, who served in the Vermont General Assembly from 1983 to 1986. It recognizes his contributions as a legislator, attorney, and community leader, including his role in creating the first father-son pair to serve concurrently in the state legislature. The resolution expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to them.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur programs to include income-eligible young adults up to age 26, aligning Medicaid eligibility thresholds with the Dr. Dynasaur program over time. It requires higher reimbursement rates for providers delivering primary care, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, long-term care, and dental services to Medicaid beneficiaries. The legislation also modifies the duties of the Clinical Utilization Review Board, increases income eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs, and mandates coverage for mental health services for children and young adults who have experienced adverse life events without a specific diagnosis. Additionally, the bill directs the Agency of Human Services to develop a public option proposal for small business health coverage and requires proposals for sliding-scale cost-sharing in Medicaid.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Community Care, Health, and Safety Fund to provide grants for community-based services that reduce harm from drug use and support people with substance use disorders. It eliminates misdemeanor criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing a personal use supply of regulated drugs, requiring instead that individuals be offered information about available services and access to needs assessments. The legislation designates 40 percent of cannabis excise tax revenue and a portion of opioid abatement funds to finance these services, while establishing an advisory board to determine what constitutes a benchmark personal use supply. The bill also authorizes monetary incentives for participation in needs assessments and aims to shift resources from prosecution toward prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Vermont municipalities to impose civil penalties on owners of commercial buildings that remain vacant for 180 consecutive days. The legislation allows local building inspectors or authorized officers to assess fines after providing notice to property owners, with penalties calculated for each 180-day period of vacancy. The measure applies to towns, cities, and incorporated villages and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program to support antiracism and diversity work in Vermont schools by funding up to five Equity Teams in supervisory unions or school districts. The program would provide each team with a $10,000 stipend to review equity-related policies and curriculum, with team members including administrators, teachers, and students. An Equity Team Commission would oversee the pilot, select participating districts, and submit a report by September 2025 on the program's outcomes and potential for expansion. The initiative is funded through a $50,000 appropriation from the state General Fund and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Vermont Data Privacy Act to protect the personal information of Vermont residents by creating clear rules for how businesses collect, use, and share consumer data. It defines key terms like personal data, consent, and profiling while explicitly excluding employees and commercial transactions from coverage. The law requires businesses to obtain clear affirmative consent from consumers, prohibits deceptive design practices known as dark patterns, and grants consumers specific rights over their data including access, deletion, and opt-out options. Companies must also implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information and provide mechanisms for consumers to exercise their privacy rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for unemployment insurance fraud in Vermont by requiring individuals who falsely obtain benefits to repay the overpaid amount, pay a 15% penalty, and face an additional administrative fine of up to $5,000. It also imposes a five-year ban on receiving unemployment benefits for those found to have intentionally made false statements or misrepresented material facts during their claims process. The legislation allows the state commissioner to pursue unpaid fines through civil court and provides opportunities for affected individuals to appeal penalties through existing procedures. These measures take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to anyone who willfully provides false information to increase or initiate unemployment benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a working group to explore ways to bring more international medical school graduates into Vermont's healthcare workforce. The group will examine models like Tennessee's temporary licensing system and develop proposals for an expedited licensure process that prioritizes patient safety. Additionally, the bill appropriates $50,000 in fiscal year 2025 to reimburse international medical school graduates for study materials and books needed to obtain Vermont medical licenses. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations by January 15, 2025, and the license reimbursement funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until depleted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Vermont Baby Bond Trust, a state-administered program that provides $3,200 in savings accounts to children born on or after July 1, 2024, who qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP coverage at birth. The funds are intended for eligible expenses including education, purchasing a home or property in Vermont, starting a business, or contributing to retirement or education savings accounts. The program requires beneficiaries to complete a financial literacy course before age 18 to access their funds, and they must claim the money by their 30th birthday if they are still Vermont residents. The bill also ensures that money in the trust is not counted as income or assets for determining eligibility for government assistance programs.