Healthcare (Mental Health)

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2025

H 58: An act relating to Medicaid coverage for play therapy

This bill requires Vermont Medicaid to cover medically necessary play therapy services for eligible patients. It directly affects Vermont Medicaid recipients, particularly children and adolescents receiving mental health treatment. The law mandates coverage for play therapy provided by specific licensed professionals (such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers) and defines play therapy as using toys, games, and role-playing to address mental health challenges. The coverage becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly mandates Medicaid coverage for play therapy (mental health service), expanding access and supporting mental health treatment for eligible patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2025

H 456: An act relating to establishing a State-funded and community-based continuum of care for justice-involved individuals

H 456 creates a state-funded community support system for individuals recently released from incarceration or with prior criminal justice involvement who face homelessness or need housing. It allocates $1.3 million for housing grants through Pathways Vermont, $1 million for community housing development (prioritizing Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, and women), and $1 million for residential treatment of substance use and mental health conditions. Additional funds support recovery services, restorative justice programs, and community-based case management. The bill redirects resources from new prison construction toward housing, health services, and economic opportunities to reduce recidivism. It directly affects justice-involved individuals experiencing housing instability or needing health support upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $3.3M for housing, mental health, and substance use treatment for justice-involved individuals to reduce recidivism and support reentry, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $1M for residential mental health treatment, directly supporting healthcare services as per topic description.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $1.3M for housing grants and $1M for community housing development prioritizing marginalized groups, directly funding housing solutions for justice-involved individuals facing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness Property Development

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 165: An act relating to funding inclusive schools

H.165 proposes creating an Inclusive Schools Protection Fund to replace lost federal funding for inclusive programs in Vermont schools. The bill would directly fund school districts to support LGBTQ+ student programs, antidiscrimination efforts, inclusive curricula, and educator training on equity. It also protects existing resources like student gender/sexuality alliances, school equity coordinators, and mental health programs for marginalized students. The Agency of Education must annually report on the fund's effectiveness, and the bill directs the state to develop new revenue sources to sustain the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a state fund to directly finance inclusive school programs, increasing public education spending and protecting existing resources like mental health services for marginalized students.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates fund to directly support LGBTQ+ programs, antidiscrimination efforts, inclusive curricula, and equity training in schools95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects mental health programs for marginalized students as part of inclusive school funding, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 192: An act relating to prohibiting solitary confinement for children

H.192 prohibits the use of solitary or room confinement for children in secure facilities (like detention centers) except as a temporary measure when a child poses an immediate risk of physical harm to themselves or others. The bill requires staff to first attempt de-escalation techniques, such as talking with the child or involving a mental health professional, before confinement. It limits confinement time to a maximum of 30 minutes for self-harm risks or 3 hours for risks to others, mandates 15-minute check-ins, and requires release when the risk subsides. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and excludes regular sleeping hours and single-occupancy rooms not used for confinement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits solitary confinement for minors in detention centers, requiring de-escalation and time limits, directly advancing youth protection and reform in corrections within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health professionals in de-escalation before confinement, directly supporting mental health services for children in detention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 452: An act relating to decriminalization of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and the establishment of the Psilocybin Therapeutic Consultation Program

H 452 proposes to decriminalize the personal possession, cultivation, and noncommercial use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms for adults aged 21 and older in Vermont. It establishes the Psilocybin Therapeutic Consultation Program to create a regulated framework for therapeutic use. Licensed health providers (including mental health professionals, physicians, and nurse practitioners) would undergo certified training to offer initial evaluations, guided sessions in safe environments, and post-session support. The program aims to develop education and safety protocols for psilocybin use under state law, though the bill is currently pending review by the Human Services Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes regulated mental health therapeutic program via licensed providers, expanding access to mental health services under healthcare framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 21, 2025

H 305: An act relating to prescriptions for psychotropic medications used by children and youth in the Dr. Dynasaur program

H 305 requires enhanced oversight and informed consent procedures for prescriptions of psychotropic medications (medications for mental health conditions) given to children and youth enrolled in Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur program. The bill mandates that healthcare providers obtain specific, documented consent from parents or guardians before prescribing these medications and establishes clearer accountability measures for monitoring their use. This directly affects children in the Dr. Dynasaur program, their families, and the healthcare providers prescribing these medications. The bill aims to strengthen safeguards around medication management for vulnerable youth without specifying new treatment protocols. (Introduced February 2025, currently before the Health Care Committee.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires informed consent and enhanced oversight for pediatric psychotropic medications, strengthening patient safety and rights in mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 323: An act relating to mental health programming funded by the Mental Health Innovation Special Fund

H 323 proposes creating the Mental Health Innovation Special Fund, financed through voluntary tax checkoffs on state income returns. The fund would support three main programs: mandatory school mental health screenings for students, a peer-to-peer mental health support pilot in schools, and a statewide mental health and substance misuse literacy curriculum for students. It directs the Department of Health and Education to develop and implement these initiatives, with grant funding available for innovative mental health and substance misuse treatment programs targeting youth and workforce development. The bill establishes mechanisms for public contributions via tax forms and annual reporting requirements for fund usage, directly affecting Vermont students, schools, and mental health care providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Mental Health Innovation Special Fund via voluntary tax checkoffs to fund school mental health programs, directly advancing tax-based public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds mandatory school mental health screenings, peer support pilot, and literacy curriculum - directly enhancing student mental health programs within K-12 education95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health initiatives via new Special Fund for school screenings, peer support, and literacy curriculum, directly advancing mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Mental Health

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in committee · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 227: An act relating to establishing a residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont

H 227 creates a two-bed residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont to provide short-term support for people experiencing mental health crises, avoiding hospitalization. The facility will offer two types of stays: one bed for up to four weeks and another for up to two weeks, operated by a provider selected through a state contract. The bill appropriates $515,000 for fiscal year 2026 to fund this facility, requiring the Department of Mental Health to contract with an eligible provider by January 1, 2026. It aims to expand access to peer-supported care in southern Vermont, reducing reliance on emergency hospital settings for crisis care. The facility will become operational on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $515,000 for a mental health respite facility, directly funding an essential public service per state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds a mental health respite facility to improve crisis access, avoiding hospitalization through $515,000 appropriation for short-term peer support services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 376: An act relating to the creation of the Treatment and Recovery Fund and the labeling and taxation of alcoholic beverages

H 376 requires all alcoholic beverages sold in Vermont to display clear labels showing alcohol content in U.S. Standard Drinks, along with cancer warnings and serving facts (like calories and sugar). It increases taxes on beer, hard cider, wine, and spirits, with future tax hikes tied to inflation starting in 2027. The bill creates the Treatment and Recovery Fund, which will use all new tax revenue to fund mental health services in schools and alcohol treatment/supportive housing programs. This affects alcohol manufacturers, retailers, and consumers across Vermont by changing labeling rules, raising costs for certain beverages, and directing new tax revenue to public health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases taxes on alcoholic beverages with inflation-linked hikes, using all new revenue to fund mental health services via Treatment and Recovery Fund.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Treatment and Recovery Fund using alcohol tax revenue to directly fund mental health services in schools and alcohol treatment programs, aligning with healthcare funding indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds supportive housing programs via Treatment and Recovery Fund using new alcohol tax revenue, directly advancing housing access through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse Homelessness

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2025

H 36: An act relating to family forensic evaluators

H.36 requests the Chief Superior Judge, Office of Professional Regulation, and Vermont Psychological Association to study how to increase family forensic evaluators in Vermont. These evaluators are mental health professionals who assist courts in complex child welfare and parenting cases. The study will examine current needs, geographic distribution, barriers to availability, and recruitment strategies. The entities must submit recommendations to the legislature by November 1, 2025. This bill does not change laws but seeks solutions to address a shortage hindering timely case resolution.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study to increase mental health evaluators (forensic specialists) in child welfare cases, aiming to improve access to mental health services through recruitment strategies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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