Vermont's S.142 creates a new licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians (those educated outside the U.S. but licensed in their home country) to practice medicine in Vermont. It establishes two license types: a **provisional license** (valid for two years with mandatory supervision at approved facilities) requiring proof of prior practice, U.S. medical exam scores, and employment with a participating health care facility. After two years of supervised practice under this provisional license, physicians become eligible for a **limited license** (valid for up to two years), which leads to full licensure after two more years. The bill directly affects foreign-trained doctors seeking to work in Vermont and requires participating hospitals to provide mentorship, evaluation, and malpractice coverage during the supervised training period.
This Vermont bill (S 64) creates a new "advanced therapeutic procedures specialty" for optometrists, allowing them to perform specific eye treatments currently restricted to ophthalmologists. It permits optometrists with this specialty to conduct procedures like removing superficial eye foreign bodies, minor lesion excisions (e.g., chalazia), corneal crosslinking, certain laser treatments (capsulotomy, iridotomy), and targeted injections (e.g., for chalazia or subconjunctival therapy). The bill explicitly prohibits optometrists from performing complex surgeries such as LASIK, corneal transplants, retinal procedures, or injections into the vitreous chamber. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Vermont who pursue the specialty and expands patient access to certain eye care services within defined boundaries.
Vermont's S.71, the Vermont Data Privacy Act, creates new rules for businesses handling personal data of Vermont residents. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent (not dark patterns or broad terms) before collecting personal data, with special protections for sensitive information like reproductive health, gender-affirming care, and precise location data (within 1,750 feet). The law prohibits using geofencing to track individuals near sensitive locations like abortion clinics or mental health facilities. It directly affects all businesses processing personal data of Vermont residents, including tech companies, retailers, and health services, by mandating transparency and restricting how they can use or share consumer information.
H 293 changes Vermont's health equity reporting requirements by reducing the frequency of Department of Health reports from annual to every three years starting in 2028. It also updates disclosure rules for cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) registries, requiring written confidentiality agreements before sharing identifiable health data with researchers or other registries. The bill ensures that any shared data must be minimized to what's necessary for research, while maintaining privacy protections under state and federal law. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, and directly affect the Department of Health, healthcare researchers, and state registries managing cancer and ALS patient data.
This bill requires Vermont correctional facilities to provide free telephone, video, and electronic communication services to incarcerated individuals at no cost to them. It caps commissary prices at no more than 10% above fair market value for comparable community products. The bill mandates that incarcerated individuals receive at least the federal minimum wage for their labor, with wages held in a separate fund and subject to limited deductions for maintenance or victim restitution. Additionally, the Department of Corrections must evaluate contracts with Global Tel Link and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026, to ensure pricing does not exceed community rates or competitor offerings.
This bill (H 211) requires data brokers in Vermont to notify consumers if their personal information is involved in a security breach, certify that data is used for legitimate purposes, and provide an accessible way for consumers to request deletion of their information. It directly affects Vermont residents whose personal data is collected and sold by businesses without a direct customer relationship (e.g., companies selling addresses, phone numbers, or biometric data). Key provisions define "data brokers" narrowly to exclude businesses with direct customer ties (like retailers or employers) and clarify that publicly available business information isn’t covered. The bill aims to strengthen protections for consumer data by adding specific obligations for brokers handling sensitive information like Social Security numbers or biometric identifiers.
This bill directs the Vermont General Assembly to adjourn on either May 22 or May 23, 2026, if the legislature meets on a weekend. The key provision requires the state legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2026. This resolution affects the legislative schedule by setting specific dates for the end and resumption of the session.
H 635 eliminates a $30 monthly supervisory fee previously charged to individuals on probation, furlough, supervised community sentences, or parole in Vermont. The bill prohibits the Department of Corrections from assessing, collecting, or pursuing outstanding fees, including through wage garnishment or tax offsets. It requires the department to forgive all existing fees, remove fee references from records, and stop all collection efforts. Failure to pay this fee will no longer be considered a violation of supervision terms.
This bill (H 772) updates Vermont's residential rental laws to protect tenants and clarify landlord obligations. It bans application fees for residential rentals, limits security deposits to two months' rent, and requires specific notice periods for evictions (14 days for nonpayment, 21 days for other breaches). The bill also creates a pilot program through the State Treasurer's office to allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus, helping build credit history. These changes directly affect all landlords and tenants in Vermont rental agreements, with additional technical assistance available via the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
H.778 requires Vermont's Division of Emergency Management to create emergency response plans (EOPs) for high-hazard dams with significant population at risk: all dams affecting 1,000+ people must have plans by 2030, and those affecting 100-999 people by 2031. The bill also clarifies that the Governor or Emergency Management Director can order evacuations without municipal approval during dam failure risks. Additionally, it mandates a pilot project developing EOPs for two state-owned high-hazard dams with over 1,000 people at risk, due by July 2028. These plans must identify flood zone structures for emergency alerts and include regular training exercises for responders.
This bill directs the Vermont legislature to reconvene no later than Tuesday, June 2, 2026, if it adjourns on either Friday, May 29, or Saturday, May 30, 2026. The measure applies specifically to the state's two legislative chambers and sets a fixed return date for the upcoming session break. By establishing this specific timeline, the resolution ensures that legislative business resumes promptly after the designated weekend dates.
This bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Representative Kevin "Coach" Christie of Hartford for his civic leadership and extends best wishes for his future. It recognizes his long history of public service, including his work as an educator, his role on the Hartford School Board, and his legislative focus on education and social equity. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Representative Christie.
