Sen. Becca White

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities in Vermont to publicly post notices for all employment vacancies. The law mandates that job postings be displayed in the municipal clerk's office, on the municipal website or through an online recruiting service, and in the state Department of Labor's job bank. Each posting must include the job title, required skills or experience, salary range, and application dates with a minimum 10-day application period. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to all municipal and county government positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to set the annual salaries for Vermont's Governor and heads of state departments and agencies at the same level as members of the General Assembly, excluding the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. It amends state law to establish specific salary amounts for these positions as of July 2, 2023, and allows for annual salary adjustments based on collective bargaining agreements for appointed executive officers. The legislation also sets salary caps for certain positions, such as limiting the Defender General's compensation to match the Attorney General's and restricting the Commissioner of Health's maximum salary to 100 percent above their base salary.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits credit reporting agencies from including medical debt in consumer credit files, directly affecting individuals with unpaid medical bills and the agencies that compile credit reports. It prevents hospitals, outpatient clinics, surgical centers, and medical debt collectors from reporting or selling medical debt information to credit reporting agencies. The law defines medical debt according to existing state statutes and applies to large healthcare facilities and their associated debt collection activities. If passed, these restrictions would take effect on July 1, 2024, ensuring medical debt does not appear on credit reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill would limit hospital liens on patient injury settlements in Vermont by prohibiting hospitals from claiming liens when patients have health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, or plans where the hospital is a participating provider. It would cap hospital liens at 25 percent of the net amount received by the patient and require hospitals to pay a fair share of legal and administrative costs associated with obtaining the settlement. The changes would apply to patients injured in accidents not covered by workers' compensation and would take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces three main safety measures for Vermont drivers, vehicle buyers, and road users. It requires all new driver's license applicants aged 18 and older to complete a driver education course with at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of driving practice, while also setting new qualifications for driver education instructors including experience and testing requirements. The legislation mandates that new car manufacturers share crash-test data and information about the specific crash-test dummies used with dealers, who must then make this information available to consumers online or in person. Additionally, the bill directs the state transportation agency to update its complete streets guidance to better prioritize the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes procedures for obtaining emergency court orders against stalking or sexual assault outside of regular court hours, including weekends and holidays. It allows individuals to file complaints and affidavits electronically or through designated authorized personnel, who can administer oaths over the telephone and communicate requests to judges for immediate review. The bill requires that any issued orders include a hearing date within 14 days for the defendant to contest the order, and it mandates that all orders and affidavits carry specific warnings about criminal penalties for violations or false statements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the open carry of firearms at polling places, political debates, and public demonstrations in Vermont. It directly affects individuals who wish to carry visible firearms in these specific locations, while allowing law enforcement officers and government employees to carry firearms for official duties. The legislation defines a public demonstration as gatherings of 25 or more people expressing views or grievances and sets penalties of up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine for violations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not regulate firearms carried in motor vehicles.

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 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.