Sen. Becca White

Maddy summaryThis proposal seeks to amend the Vermont Constitution by removing the requirement that criminals be punished through hard labor. It directly affects how the state legally handles sentencing for non-capital crimes by eliminating a constitutional mandate for forced labor as punishment. The bill would repeal Section 64 of Chapter II, which currently states that convicted criminals should be employed for public benefit or to repair private injuries while allowing public observation of their work. If approved by voters in 2026, this change would update Vermont's constitutional framework to reflect modern attitudes toward incarceration and justice.

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 By repealing the outdated 1900s-era prostitution statutes, the bill aims to align Vermont's laws with modern understandings of bodily autonomy while preserving protections against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 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 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 proposes to exempt all U.S. military retirement income and military survivor benefit income from Vermont state income tax. It directly affects active and retired military personnel, as well as surviving spouses and dependents of deceased service members who receive these benefits. The legislation amends Vermont tax code to remove military retirement and survivor income from taxable income calculations, while also clarifying that taxpayers must choose between this exemption and other retirement income exclusions if they qualify for multiple. The bill includes a statement of purpose honoring military service and applies retroactively to January 1, 2023.

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 would restrict trapping of fur-bearing animals in Vermont to only those authorized for property defense or conducted by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators. It establishes a new nuisance wildlife trapping license and requires anyone setting traps on another person's property to provide prior notice and obtain permission. The law allows landowners, their employees, and government officials to trap animals threatening domestic animals, property, agricultural crops, or public infrastructure, but mandates that traps be checked every 24 hours and that trapped animals be released if uninjured or humanely killed. Anyone taking animals for compensation must hold a valid nuisance wildlife trapping license, and all pelts taken under these provisions must be inspected and certified before storage, sale, or transfer.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Adult Guardianship Equity Act, moves guardianship cases for adults with developmental disabilities from the Family Division to the Probate Division of Vermont's Superior Court. It establishes new rules requiring that guardianship be used only when necessary to protect an individual's rights, prioritizing voluntary guardianship options and ensuring the least restrictive approach is taken. The law also repeals the previous chapter governing guardianship services for people with developmental disabilities and creates specific procedures for when the Office of Public Guardian must be appointed if no private guardian is available. Additionally, it clarifies that individuals receiving guardianship services can appeal decisions or petition to modify or terminate their guardianship through the court system.

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.