Healthcare (Public Health)

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 859: An act relating to psychedelic therapy and clinical drug development trials

H 859 establishes a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Board to review research on psychedelic therapy's benefits for mental health and substance use disorders, and to recommend state programs allowing therapeutic use of psychedelics. The bill requires Vermont's Department of Health to contract with a Vermont entity to conduct clinical drug development trials specifically for ibogaine - a treatment being studied for substance use disorders and trauma. The Advisory Board will assess public health impacts, monitor other states' programs, and propose pilot projects for psychedelic-assisted therapy in end-of-life care or for mental health conditions. This directly affects Vermont's healthcare system, mental health providers, and individuals seeking treatment for conditions resistant to current therapies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes advisory board and clinical trials for psychedelic therapy to treat mental health/substance use disorders, expanding treatment options and supporting mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 581: An act relating to limiting the reporting of certain medications to the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System

H.581 exempts medications prescribed for reproductive health care or gender-affirming care from being reported to Vermont’s Prescription Monitoring System (PMS), unless the Commissioner of Health determines reporting is necessary for public health. It also prohibits sharing any existing PMS data about these medications with other states’ monitoring systems. This directly affects healthcare providers prescribing these medications in Vermont, removing a reporting requirement for their patients’ care. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, modifying Vermont law (18 V.S.A. §4283 and §4288).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill exempts reproductive/gender-affirming care medications from reporting, protecting patient privacy and access to healthcare services, aligning with patient rights support indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts reproductive/gender-affirming care data from reporting and sharing, enhancing patient data privacy protections within healthcare systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2026

H 818: An act relating to mental health screening in schools

H 818 establishes a voluntary mental health screening program for Vermont public school students, administered by school supervisory unions in collaboration with the Agency of Education and Department of Mental Health. The bill requires schools to obtain parental consent before screening students for age-appropriate mental health conditions, provide results to parents, and refer students needing support to resources. Funding of $10,000 is initially appropriated for the program, with 90% distributed based on student enrollment and 10% allocated as needed for additional support. Schools must comply with FERPA privacy rules and provide annual reports on participation and outcomes to the legislature. This affects all Vermont public school students and their families through school-based screening options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes voluntary mental health screening program in schools with $10k funding, enhancing student support services within educational settings per bill's requirements.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes voluntary mental health screening in schools with $10k funding, connecting students to resources per bill's requirements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Public Health

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 243: An act relating to distributing funds to the Vermont Language Justice Project

This bill appropriates $150,000 from the Vermont General Fund to the Department of Health for the Vermont Language Justice Project. The funds will be used to create multilingual informational materials about disease outbreaks or public health emergencies, specifically for Vermonters who speak languages other than English. The materials must be ready for distribution during health crises, such as pandemics or outbreaks. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects non-English speaking Vermonters during public health emergencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $150,000 from General Fund for multilingual health materials, directly increasing state funding for essential public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds multilingual public health materials for non-English speakers during health crises, directly enhancing access to healthcare information during emergencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Public Health

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 176: An act relating to prohibiting the use of the herbicide paraquat

This bill bans the sale, use, and application of the herbicide paraquat in Vermont, except when the Secretary of Agriculture authorizes it to address a specific crop threat for which no other herbicide is effective. It defines paraquat by chemical name and CAS number to ensure clear identification. The ban takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law aims to protect public health by preventing exposure to paraquat, which studies link to increased risks of Parkinson's disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and childhood leukemia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill bans paraquat to prevent health risks (Parkinson's, cancer) linked to exposure, directly protecting public health as stated in summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 524: An act relating to Vermont’s adoption of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Vermont's H.524 adopts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, enabling licensed respiratory therapists from Vermont to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines and improves patient access to respiratory therapy services, particularly for military families relocating or addressing workforce shortages. The compact establishes a standardized process for licensure portability while maintaining each state's authority to protect public health through existing licensing rules. It creates a "Compact privilege" allowing therapists to practice in member states where patients are located, streamlining administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for respiratory therapists, improving patient access to respiratory care services and addressing workforce shortages in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2025

H 60: An act relating to prohibiting discrimination based on immunization status

This bill adds "immunization status" to Vermont's existing anti-discrimination laws, prohibiting discrimination based on vaccination history in three key areas: public accommodations (like restaurants and stores), housing (including rentals and sales), and employment. It defines "immunization status" as an individual's vaccination record for infectious diseases. The law prevents businesses, landlords, and employers from refusing service, housing, or jobs, or imposing different terms, due to a person's vaccination status. This applies to all covered entities across Vermont, expanding current protections to include vaccination history as a protected characteristic.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits discrimination based on vaccination status in public accommodations, housing, and employment, supporting public health by removing barriers to vaccination and encouraging uptake.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on immunization status, directly protecting tenants from unfair treatment in rentals/sales.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on immunization status, protecting workers' rights under Vermont's anti-discrimination laws in hiring and workplace terms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 189: An act relating to funding support services for persons who use drugs and eliminating misdemeanor criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing a personal use drug supply

H.189 eliminates criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing small personal amounts of drugs in Vermont, directly affecting individuals currently facing misdemeanor charges for such activities. It creates the Community Care, Health, and Safety Special Fund, using 40% of cannabis tax revenue and opioid settlement funds to support community-based harm reduction services, overdose prevention, and substance use treatment. The bill requires law enforcement to provide service referrals (like treatment or harm reduction resources) instead of arresting people for small drug amounts, and establishes a new advisory board to define "personal use" quantities. This shift aims to reduce overdose deaths and racial disparities in drug enforcement while redirecting resources from prosecution toward public health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses 40% of cannabis tax revenue to fund harm reduction services, directing existing tax funds toward essential community health programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates misdemeanor drug possession penalties, redirects funds to harm reduction/treatment instead of criminalization, aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates cannabis tax and opioid settlement funds to fund harm reduction, overdose prevention, and substance use treatment services, directly advancing healthcare access for substance use disorders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Law Enforcement Public Health Substance Abuse

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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 22, 2025

H 61: An act relating to bodily autonomy and health care decision making

H.61 would establish that Vermont residents have the right to make their own health care decisions, including refusing medical treatments, testing, or vaccines based on personal beliefs. The bill prohibits state agencies, employers, schools, and other entities from denying or restricting this right, even during public health emergencies like disease outbreaks. It specifically clarifies that parents retain the authority to make health care choices for their minor children. Individuals harmed by violations could seek legal remedies, including damages and attorney fees, through the courts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects patient autonomy in healthcare decisions, prohibiting restrictions on treatment refusal, aligning with patient rights protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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