Sen. Alison Clarkson

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 is a formal resolution that congratulates the 2023 Hartford High School Hurricanes boys' indoor track team for winning their first Division II state championship. The resolution recognizes the team's historic achievement, which included first-place finishes in the 300-meter run and long jump, along with relay victories, resulting in a 101-82.5 final score. It specifically names the 20 team members, head coach Mike Perry, and assistant coach Fatimah Shabazz who earned the title. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this resolution to Hartford High School to formally acknowledge their accomplishment.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution extends the deadline for a temporary rule allowing electronic participation in Vermont Senate sessions from March 3, 2023, to January 5, 2024. The amendment directly affects senators who may need to vote or participate in proceedings remotely due to health or other circumstances. By updating the rule's expiration date, the Senate maintains flexibility for remote participation while keeping the provision in place for an additional period. The resolution is a procedural measure that modifies an existing rule without creating new substantive requirements for senators.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution temporarily extends the application of Senate Rule 32A, which governs committee meetings, through January 5, 2024. The measure allows Senate committees to conduct electronic meetings concurrently, meaning multiple committees can meet at the same time via video or other electronic means. This provision overrides a previous rule that restricted such electronic meetings to emergency situations only. The resolution directly affects Senate committees and their members by providing a specific timeframe for using these flexible meeting arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally honors Bruce Schmidt, the chair of the Ludlow Selectboard in Vermont, for his distinguished civic leadership. It recognizes his long history of community service, including his 21-year tenure on the selectboard, his work on the cemetery commission, and his involvement in local education and employment. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Schmidt, serving as an official acknowledgment of his contributions to the town. This measure does not create new laws or policies but instead serves as a ceremonial tribute to a local public official.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors Philip Carter for his long-term community service in the Town of Ludlow. It recognizes his 37 years of work on the Development Review Board, three years on the selectboard, and his contributions to local gardening and town planning efforts. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the honor to Mr. Carter, but it does not create any new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Vermont's minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2025, with annual adjustments thereafter based on inflation or a five percent increase, whichever is smaller. It also establishes a study committee to examine whether to eliminate certain exemptions from minimum wage coverage, including for tipped workers, and to investigate paying inmates at least the minimum wage. The committee will analyze impacts on jobs, prices, worker welfare, and correctional budgets, and must submit its findings and recommendations by November 15, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Vermont's workers' compensation system to improve how injured workers receive benefits and manage their return to work. It allows injured workers to request preauthorization for medical treatments, requiring insurers to respond within 14 days or face automatic approval. The legislation also clarifies when employers can require injured employees to search for new jobs while receiving temporary disability benefits, limiting the search to three employers per week. Additionally, the bill adjusts how temporary partial disability payments are calculated, ensures cost-of-living adjustments for certain workers, and establishes a default funding rate for the Workers' Compensation Administration Fund if the legislature does not set one.