Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

signed · Vermont · Senate May 7, 2026

S 163: An act relating to the role of advanced practice providers in hospital care

This bill (S.163) amends Vermont law to explicitly allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to serve as the primary health care coordinator for hospital patients, alongside physicians. It updates the "Patient’s Bill of Rights" to state that patients have the right to know the identity and professional status of the provider primarily responsible for their care - including an APRN - and to receive information from that provider. Hospitals must now clearly communicate this information to patients upon admission and post it at nurse stations, including the option to contact licensing agencies for complaints. The bill directly affects Vermont hospitals, patients receiving inpatient care, and APRNs practicing in hospital settings. It clarifies existing practice without imposing new requirements on APRNs or hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands APRN roles in patient coordination, enhances patient rights via transparent provider identification, improving access to care without restricting coverage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 569: An act relating to the role of advanced practice registered nurses in hospital care

This bill (H 569) updates Vermont's hospital licensing and patient rights laws to explicitly allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to serve as the primary coordinator of a hospital patient's care, alongside physicians. It amends the Patients' Bill of Rights (18 V.S.A. § 1852) to state patients have the right to "an attending physician or APRN" responsible for care coordination, and revises hospital licensing requirements (18 V.S.A. § 1905) to require patients be under care of "a licensed physician or an APRN." The changes directly affect hospitals (which must now permit APRNs to coordinate care), patients (who gain the right to choose APRNs as primary care coordinators), and APRNs (who gain expanded scope under hospital licensing). The bill does not alter APRN practice standards but clarifies their role in hospital settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands APRN scope to coordinate hospital care, amends patient rights to include APRNs, and revises licensing to require physician/APRN care coordination, improving access and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Primary Care

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 765: An act relating to qualified mental health professionals

H.765 expands Vermont's definition of "qualified mental health professional" to include licensed clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychoanalysts, and other specific licensed practitioners (such as advanced practice nurses and psychologists), removing the prior requirement that they must be employed by designated agencies. This directly affects mental health providers who can now qualify under the law for roles like emergency examinations and court testimony. The bill modifies statutes to allow these expanded professionals to perform duties previously restricted to a narrower group, such as applying for emergency warrants and providing expert testimony. It does not change eligibility for patient services but broadens who can provide certain legally defined mental health services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands access to mental health professionals for court testimony and emergency exams, enabling rehabilitation-focused approaches in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health provider access by removing agency employment requirement, enabling more practitioners to provide critical services like emergency exams and court testimony.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 782: An act relating to school nurse licensure

This bill (H 782) modifies Vermont's requirement for school nurses by eliminating the need to hold both an educator license and a nursing license. It directly affects school nurses employed in Vermont public schools, allowing them to maintain only a valid nursing license. The key provision removes the dual licensure mandate, streamlining the credentialing process for these healthcare professionals. The bill focuses on updating licensing rules to better align with the nursing role in schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves dual licensure barrier for school nurses, easing staffing and supporting school health services in K-12.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines school nurse licensing to improve healthcare access in schools by removing redundant credentialing requirements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 33: An act relating to establishing a pilot for community nurse programs serving aging Vermonters

S.33 allocates $450,000 for a two-year pilot program to enhance community nursing services for aging Vermonters. Existing community nurse programs can apply for funding to create health worker positions, expand home visits without limits, fill service gaps, and improve data tracking. Participating programs must report on service outcomes, gaps, and improvements by December 2027, with the pilot starting July 2025. This directly affects aging Vermonters receiving services and community nurse programs seeking to expand their reach.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $450k for community nurse pilot expanding home visits and service gaps for aging Vermonters, directly enhancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

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

Track

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

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 75: An act relating to clinician participation in patient choice at end of life and DNR/COLST orders

H 75 would expand which healthcare providers can participate in Vermont's end-of-life care processes. Specifically, it would authorize naturopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to engage in patient choice discussions and issue DNR (do-not-resuscitate) and COLST (clinician orders for life-sustaining treatment) orders - currently limited to physicians under Vermont law. The bill amends definitions in Vermont's Patient Choice at End of Life chapter to include these provider types under the term "clinician." This change would directly affect patients seeking end-of-life care planning and these healthcare professionals who currently cannot sign such orders. The bill is currently pending before the Committee on Health Care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands provider roles (nurse practitioners, PAs, naturopaths) for end-of-life care access, enhancing patient choice and service availability per Vermont law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 64: An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrist scope to perform advanced eye procedures, increasing patient access to care without ophthalmologist referral95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing