Vermont Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 583: An act relating to clinical decision making

H 583 prohibits certain financial transactions involving health care entities (like hospitals, clinics, and insurers with $1 million+ assets/revenue) and bans corporations from interfering with medical professionals' clinical decisions. It requires public reporting on ownership and control of these entities, and treats violations as breaches of the Consumer Protection Act. The bill specifically targets acquisitions, mergers, and management agreements that could shift control away from health care providers. It excludes clinical trials, graduate medical education, and direct hiring of individual providers. This legislation aims to protect medical judgment by limiting corporate influence over health care delivery.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

vetoed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 190: An act relating to reference-based pricing and the Green Mountain Care Board

This bill requires Vermont hospitals and health insurers to adopt reference-based pricing for services, setting payment limits based on Medicare rates starting in 2027. It mandates hospitals to report all outsourced clinical services (like emergency medicine or radiology) in budget reviews, closing loopholes where outsourced revenue bypassed oversight. Hospitals must display pricing both as a percentage of Medicare rates and in dollars, and use unique identifiers for off-campus services. The goal is to ensure price transparency, apply cost controls across all hospital services, and prevent surprise bills for patients receiving outsourced care.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 214: An act relating to the provision of prekindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts

This bill allows students in Vermont school districts designated as "geographically isolated" to use state-funded prekindergarten programs in New Hampshire under specific conditions. It requires the Vermont State Board of Education to define "geographically isolated" districts and sets rules for eligibility: the New Hampshire program must be state-approved for public prekindergarten and located within 25 miles of the Vermont border. Vermont school districts would pay the same statewide tuition rate for these out-of-state programs as they would for local providers, ensuring access for students who cannot find approved prekindergarten options within their district boundaries.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 577: An act relating to establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

H.577 establishes the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program, administered by the State Treasurer, to help all Vermont residents lower prescription drug costs. The program pools purchasing power with other states, territories, and organizations to negotiate discounts directly with drug manufacturers and centralize purchasing. It requires the Treasurer to report annually on participation and savings, may charge reasonable fees to cover costs, and includes $50,000 in startup funding for development. The program takes effect on July 1, 2026, with implementation reporting due by January 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 578: An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses

This bill expands Vermont's animal cruelty laws to explicitly include sexual conduct with animals as a punishable offense. It defines "sexual conduct" broadly (e.g., touching an animal's sex organs, inserting objects, or filming such acts without veterinary purpose) and adds new aggravated cruelty provisions when minors are involved. Convicted individuals face mandatory animal possession bans for at least five years and may be required to pay for animal care costs incurred during investigations. Penalties range from up to one year in jail or $2,000 fines for standard cruelty to up to five years in jail or $5,000 fines for aggravated offenses involving sexual conduct.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 197: An act relating to reform for primary care

S.197 establishes a primary care payment reform program in Vermont, requiring health insurers and other payers to make monthly payments to participating primary care practices for each enrolled patient. This covers routine primary care services without patient cost-sharing, aiming to reduce administrative burdens (targeting a drop from 50% to 10% of provider time spent on admin tasks) and improve access. The program starts voluntarily in 2026 but becomes mandatory for all primary care practices by 2028. It also mandates reports from state agencies on program expansion, payment models, and transitions to community care settings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 223: An act relating to water quality of the waters of Vermont

This bill creates a Water Quality, Lake Classification, and Antidegradation Study Group to review Vermont’s current water quality rules and classification systems. The group, composed of legislators, state agency staff, environmental advocates, business representatives, and lake association members, will assess whether existing frameworks adequately protect water quality under federal law and identify needed changes. It must submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, recommending potential policy or regulatory updates. The bill does not enact new rules but directs a review process focused on lakes, rivers, and ponds across Vermont.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 193: An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

This bill establishes a specialized forensic facility in Vermont for individuals charged with serious offenses (those punishable by life imprisonment) who are found incompetent to stand trial, as well as for people acquitted of such offenses. It requires courts to dismiss inactive misdemeanor cases after a period equal to the maximum sentence (e.g., 120 days) unless justice demands otherwise. The facility mandates regular competency evaluations, provides tailored mental health services to restore trial fitness, and sets strict procedures for conditional release, including a 40-day court hearing for acquitted individuals to prove they no longer pose a risk. The bill aims to streamline court processes for these cases while ensuring appropriate mental health treatment and safety considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 550: An act relating to gender equity within Vermont’s correctional facilities

H.550 requires Vermont’s Department of Corrections to establish standards for addressing, housing, and providing care to transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals in correctional facilities. It mandates that facilities use an inmate’s chosen name and pronouns, allow housing based on gender identity (not anatomy), and prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, anatomy, or sexual orientation. The bill also requires staff to ask inmates about gender identity during intake and to reassess housing for safety concerns. These provisions directly affect all transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people incarcerated in Vermont’s state facilities. The bill aims to ensure respect, safety, and access to appropriate medical care while addressing systemic barriers in correctional settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 527: An act relating to extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. § 248a

H.527 extends the deadline for new telecommunications tower siting applications under Vermont law. It amends 30 V.S.A. § 248a(i) to delay the sunset date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. This change directly affects telecommunications companies seeking permits for new tower locations, providing them three additional years to submit applications. The bill modifies a specific statutory deadline without altering the underlying siting rules or requirements.

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 209: An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations

This bill prohibits civil arrests (arrests for civil matters like court appearances) in specific sensitive locations, including schools, shelters, health care facilities, government buildings, and court proceedings. It directly affects individuals visiting these locations, law enforcement officers, and civil courts by restricting arrests in those settings. Key provisions define "civil arrest" and allow exceptions for judicial warrants, contempt of court, or maintaining safety in court. Violations could lead to contempt charges or civil lawsuits for false imprisonment. The law applies immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 189: An act relating to establishing a process for the elimination of certain hospital services

S.189 requires Vermont hospitals to obtain prior approval from the Agency of Human Services before reducing or eliminating any hospital services. Hospitals must provide 60 days' notice to the Agency, the Green Mountain Care Board, local lawmakers, and the public, including holding community hearings and explaining how cuts align with state health plans. The Agency reviews proposals for consistency with the Statewide Health Care Delivery Strategic Plan and access to care before approving or denying them. Approved service changes must be reported to the Green Mountain Care Board, which may adjust the hospital’s budget to maintain necessary services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare