This bill establishes the Vermont My Health My Data Act to strengthen privacy protections for consumer health data collected by non-healthcare entities like apps and websites. It requires companies to obtain clear, specific consent before collecting or sharing health information and prohibits selling such data without explicit consumer authorization. The law also grants consumers the right to delete their health data and bans the use of geofencing technology around healthcare facilities to gather data. These provisions apply to both Vermont residents and individuals whose health data is collected within the state.
This bill allows housing developers in Vermont to use future resident deposits to fund construction costs, provided they secure those deposits with escrow deposit bonds. The law requires developers to place buyer deposits in escrow accounts managed by licensed brokers, attorneys, or insured banks, but permits exceptions when a surety bond is obtained to cover the withdrawn funds. The bond must be issued by an authorized Vermont surety company and guarantee the return of deposits if the developer fails to deliver units as promised. Funds released under this provision can only be used for actual building and construction expenses of the specific project. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill would allow criminal defendants in Vermont to request a new psychiatric evaluation of their competency to stand trial if the Department of Mental Health decides to end their treatment order. Currently, defendants must show changed circumstances to get a follow-up evaluation, but this law specifically states that when the department stops or lets expire a commitment order, that alone counts as a changed circumstance. The change applies to cases where a defendant has been committed to mental health care and later released or discharged from that custody. The bill does not change how initial competency evaluations are conducted, only how courts determine when a subsequent evaluation is required after a defendant has been found incompetent.
This bill amends Vermont custody laws to require courts to consider a child's own wishes when deciding on living arrangements and contact with parents. It directly affects families going through divorce or custody disputes by adding the child's preferences as a specific factor judges must evaluate alongside existing criteria like parental ability to provide care and the quality of the child's current environment. The change does not give the child final decision-making power but ensures their voice is formally weighed in the best interests analysis. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all custody determinations made on or after that date.
This bill authorizes Vermont's Treasurer to issue special bonds to fund flood recovery, mitigation, and preparedness efforts. The Treasurer must obtain the Governor's approval to determine the bond structure and maturity dates, and these bonds will be officially called "Flood Recovery Bonds." The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to state-level financial management related to flood-related projects.
This bill allows landlords and tenants in Vermont to use email as a valid method for delivering legal notice related to residential rental agreements. It directly affects landlords, tenants, and property management companies by expanding the ways they can communicate official notices. The key provision requires that email notices be considered received only when there is proof the recipient actually read the message, such as through a read receipt or acknowledgment. The law also defines "reliable electronic means" as email sent to an address the recipient agreed to use for receiving notices. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, and modify existing state statutes governing rental agreements.
This bill would allow individuals who purchase property at a tax sale to enter the property within one year of the sale to protect it from damage, illegal activity, or deterioration. The law requires the purchaser to provide at least 10 days written notice to any existing mortgage holder or lien holder before entering the property. Municipalities currently have the authority to enter properties under similar circumstances, but this legislation extends that right to private tax sale buyers. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to real estate transactions governed by Vermont's tax sale procedures.
This bill expands financial assistance for child care providers in Vermont by granting them categorical eligibility for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, allowing them to apply for subsidies on behalf of their dependent children without their income being counted against eligibility. It also allocates $85,000 in fiscal year 2025 to fund temporary health insurance navigation services for child care providers, with the intent to continue this support through fiscal year 2027. The changes apply to Vermont residents working full-time in private family child care homes, center-based programs, or afterschool programs, and the bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill establishes the Vermont Imagination Library, a three-year pilot program that provides free monthly books to children from birth to age five who reside in Vermont. The Agency of Education would manage the program in partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, handling daily operations, volunteer coordination, and public outreach to encourage donations and registrations. Funding would come from a 50/50 split between private donations and state appropriations, with an initial $100,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2025. The program includes a requirement for annual reports on enrollment and growth, and it would automatically end after three years unless renewed by the legislature.
This bill requires retail businesses in Vermont to accept cash payments for transactions of $1,000 or less. It prohibits sellers from refusing cash unless the purchase amount exceeds the $1,000 threshold, with violations classified as unfair commerce practices. The law would take effect on July 1, 2024, affecting all retail businesses operating in the state.
This bill directs the Joint Fiscal Office to study how fees and fines currently fund public safety and correctional programs in Vermont. The examination will work alongside the Coordinated Justice Reform Advisory Council to identify which programs rely on these charges. The goal is to gather information that could help future legislation move some of this funding to the state's general budget. The study will focus on programs aimed at improving public safety, reducing crime and recidivism, and supporting victims. The act takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill would provide tax benefits to individuals who officiate K-12 school athletic events in Vermont. It would exclude income earned from officiating these events from personal income tax and create a sales tax exemption for equipment purchased by officials for use in their work. The income exclusion applies retroactively to January 1, 2024, while the sales tax exemption would begin immediately upon passage. These changes aim to support school sports officials by reducing their tax burden on earnings and equipment costs.
