Education

passed · Vermont · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 206: An act relating to licensure of early childhood educators by the Office of Professional Regulation

This bill requires Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation to establish a licensing system for early childhood educators working in child care programs regulated by the Child Development Division. It directly affects educators providing care and instruction to children from birth through age 8, creating three license levels (I, II, and III) based on education and experience. The bill establishes a nine-member Vermont Board of Early Childhood Educators to develop licensing rules, handle applications, and manage complaints. Key provisions include mandatory licensure for these educators, defined practice standards (like creating safe learning environments and family engagement), and a board appointment process ensuring diverse representation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes licensing standards and oversight for early childhood educators, strengthening professional qualifications in early education access and teacher standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 227: An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools

S.227 requires all Vermont public and approved independent schools to adopt policies preventing the sharing of student information with federal immigration authorities without a judicial warrant. It prohibits schools from collecting immigration status data, designating such information as "directory information" under federal privacy law, or sharing student records with immigration agencies except as legally required. The bill mandates schools to provide immigration resources to staff and students, designate staff as immigration resource officers, and block federal agents from entering nonpublic school areas (like classrooms or cafeterias) without a warrant naming a specific individual. Schools are also barred from entering agreements that aid federal immigration enforcement, with the superintendent as the sole authority to approve any required federal agreements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy and educational access by prohibiting schools from sharing immigration data with authorities, creating safer school environments for immigrant students.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts school data sharing with federal immigration authorities without warrant, prohibits collecting status data, aligns with protecting immigrant rights in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 175: An act relating to climate change education

This bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Education to create an interdisciplinary climate change curriculum for K-12 schools, based on the 2023 IPCC report. It mandates that the State Board of Education update all school district curriculum standards by July 2027 to include climate change education across all grade levels and subjects. The curriculum must be open-source and accessible, building on existing educational resources. These changes apply directly to Vermont's public elementary and secondary schools and their district-level curriculum planning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate change curriculum integration across K-12 standards, enhancing educational content and access per IPCC guidelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education curriculum using IPCC report, requiring K-12 schools to integrate climate science into all subjects, advancing environmental awareness and education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Climate Change

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 13, 2026

H 640: An act relating to adding voting student members to school district boards

This bill would require Vermont school districts providing secondary education to add voting student members for grades 9-12 (one student per grade, totaling four voting members) and nonvoting student members for grades 7-8 (one student per grade, totaling two nonvoting members). Student members must be enrolled in and attending a school within the district during their term, and appointments would be made by the superintendent using a process involving student input. The bill applies to all town, city, and regional school districts operating secondary schools and takes effect July 1, 2026. It does not change the term length for student members, who serve the same term as other board members.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds voting student representation to school boards, enhancing student voice in educational decision-making per bill's requirement for grades 9-12.85% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 715: An act relating to the provision of menstrual products in postsecondary schools located in Vermont

This bill requires all Vermont postsecondary schools to provide free menstrual products in a majority of gender-neutral bathrooms and bathrooms designated for female students (for students aged 8+), plus in school nurse offices or health centers. It mandates that schools cover the cost of these products, though they may seek grants or partner with nonprofits to help. The law applies to all public and approved independent postsecondary schools in Vermont and takes effect July 1, 2026. It aims to ensure immediate, no-cost access without requiring students to request products.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free menstrual products in schools to improve student access and well-being, addressing a barrier to educational participation in postsecondary institutions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free menstrual products in schools, improving access to essential health resources for students, aligning with public health access initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 774: An act relating to a three-year education property tax freeze

H.774 would freeze Vermont's education property tax rates at 2026 levels for the next three years (2027-2029), directly affecting all homeowners and property owners who pay these taxes. The bill requires tax rates to remain at 2026 levels regardless of local budget needs during this period. To ensure education funding stays fully supported, the bill mandates that any shortfall from the frozen rates be covered by redirecting money from the state's General Fund. This policy change provides immediate tax stability for property owners while guaranteeing continued education spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes education property taxes for 3 years while redirecting state General Fund to maintain full education funding, providing tax relief and protecting public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFreezes local education property taxes while mandating state General Fund coverage for any shortfall, ensuring no reduction in school funding during 2027-2029.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget

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in committee · Vermont · House Mar 18, 2026

H 558: An act relating to the Medicaid school-based services program

H 558 transfers sole authority for Vermont's Medicaid school-based services program from current oversight to the Agency of Human Services (AHS), while clarifying the Agency of Education's (AOE) role in coordinating with school districts. The bill establishes a School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement Fund managed by AHS, directing 55% of federal reimbursement funds to supervisory unions (which manage multiple school districts), 25% for AHS and AOE administrative costs, and any remaining balance to the Education Fund. It requires supervisory unions to submit Medicaid claims for eligible students and creates an incentive fund for unions with high participation rates (over 80%). This directly affects supervisory unions, AHS, AOE, and school districts by changing how Medicaid reimbursement funds are distributed and administered.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects 55% of Medicaid reimbursement funds to supervisory unions for school-based services, enhancing student health support within education system90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransfers Medicaid school-based services oversight to AHS, allocates 55% of funds to supervisory unions for health services, strengthening program delivery and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Medicaid

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 8, 2026

H 617: An act relating to seizure disorders in schools

H 617 requires Vermont public and independent schools to create individualized seizure action plans for students diagnosed with seizure disorders, developed collaboratively with parents and school staff. Schools must designate at least two trained staff members per school to administer seizure rescue medications or assist with vagus nerve stimulators, and obtain parental written authorization including a healthcare provider’s detailed medication plan and the medication in its original sealed packaging. Additionally, schools must provide biennial staff training on seizure recognition and first aid using guidelines from the Epilepsy Foundation, and the Agency of Education will collect compliance data for annual reporting to the legislature. This bill directly affects students with seizure disorders, school staff, and parents/guardians through new safety protocols and documentation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates seizure action plans and trained staff for student safety, enabling access to education for students with seizure disorders by protecting their ability to attend school safely.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates seizure action plans and trained staff for student health access, improving medical care coordination in schools per healthcare policy indicators.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 568: An act relating to military-connected students

This Vermont bill (H 568) requires school districts to provide comparable special education services within 30 days for military-connected students transferring due to relocation, including transferring records and evaluations. It also allows children of active-duty military members to stay in their "school of origin" (previous school) through the end of the school year - or an extra year for 11th graders - during a parent's military reassignment outside the district. The bill applies to all Vermont school districts enrolling military-connected students and eliminates immediate residency proof requirements for remote enrollment. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures educational continuity for military-connected students via timely special ed services and school of origin access, expanding educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 687: An act relating to an exception to the moratorium on approval of new approved independent schools

H.687 creates an exception to Vermont’s moratorium on approving new independent schools for therapeutic schools changing ownership. It specifies that if a therapeutic approved independent school (as defined in 16 V.S.A. § 828(d)) undergoes an ownership change requiring a new application for initial approval, the moratorium does not apply. The State Board of Education and Agency of Education must process these applications under existing laws. This directly affects therapeutic schools transitioning ownership and ensures their applications are reviewed without the moratorium barrier. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves moratorium barrier for therapeutic school ownership changes, enabling continued educational access for students requiring specialized services.85% confidence

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