This bill prohibits discrimination based on criminal history in employment and housing across Vermont. It adds "criminal history" to Vermont's existing anti-discrimination laws, meaning employers cannot refuse to hire or landlords cannot deny housing solely due to an individual's criminal record. The law includes exceptions for jobs where federal or state law mandates disqualification (e.g., for certain crimes in childcare roles) or for positions substantially related to the offense. It also defines "criminal history" broadly to cover all contact with the criminal justice system, including arrests and court dispositions.
H.403 repeals Vermont's exemption that previously allowed agricultural employers to pay below minimum wage and skip overtime for farm workers. It requires all agricultural workers (excluding employers' immediate family) to receive at least Vermont's minimum wage ($12.55 starting 2022, adjusted annually) and overtime pay for hours exceeding 60 per week (starting January 2026). The bill also mandates inspections of farm employee housing to assess safety and adequacy, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to survey workers about housing conditions - including rent, maintenance, privacy, and heat - using multilingual forms. These changes directly affect Vermont farms employing agricultural workers and their housing providers, aiming to align labor and housing standards with statewide requirements.
H 496 requires Vermont's Agency of Human Services to assess whether increasing continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in the state's designated growth centers would improve services for seniors. The study must examine healthcare access for elders, expand housing options, enhance social opportunities, and evaluate walkable/transit-friendly community design. It specifically focuses on how CCRCs could support smart growth, infill development, and accessible public spaces. The bill, referred to the Human Services Committee on March 28, 2025, does not change existing law but mandates this review. The assessment will inform potential future policy decisions regarding senior housing and community planning.
S.127 creates Vermont's Rental Housing Improvement Program to fund rental housing development and rehabilitation. It provides grants and forgivable loans to landlords, with funding limits of $70,000 per accessible unit or $50,000 per standard unit. Landlords must lease units to specific groups (e.g., people exiting homelessness, immigrants, individuals with disabilities) and adhere to HUD fair market rent limits for 5-10 years to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program also establishes a revolving fund for repaid loans and requires annual reporting on program outcomes.
H.352 establishes Vermont's Renewable Energy for Communities Program, requiring retail electricity providers to solicit distributed renewable projects (like community solar) that meet specific community-focused criteria. The program prioritizes projects benefiting marginalized communities, affordable housing tenants, schools, and municipal buildings, while requiring utilities to evaluate proposals based on community engagement and local benefits - not just cost. Utilities must issue these solicitations starting by 2027, with the Public Utility Commission developing detailed rules for implementation by January 1, 2027. This directly affects Vermont’s electricity providers and the communities they serve, aiming to expand equitable access to renewable energy benefits.
This bill (H 242) regulates short-term rentals in Vermont by imposing two main requirements: (1) a host-occupancy rule requiring a long-term resident to live on the same premises as the rental, and (2) a numerical limit allowing no more than one short-term rental per property parcel. It also mandates annual registration with the state Department of Housing, requiring owners to provide detailed information including property addresses, unit counts, and guest capacity. Municipalities can exempt themselves from these rules via voter vote, though existing local regulations (as of July 2025) will automatically override the statewide rules. The bill affects short-term rental owners, operators, and municipalities, taking effect July 1, 2026.
This bill (S 34) limits mobile home park owners in Vermont to increasing lot rents by no more than one percentage point above the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Housing, instead of a higher previous threshold. It directly affects mobile home residents and park owners by restricting rent hikes and requiring mediation if increases exceed this limit. The key mechanism establishes a mandatory mediation process: if residents dispute an increase, they can petition for mediation within 15 days, and the park owner must provide documentation justifying the hike. The mediator helps resolve disputes before the rent increase takes effect, with the process ending 10 days prior to the increase date. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Bill H.88 prohibits electric, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting home service due to unpaid bills during periods of extreme heat. It directly affects all residential customers, including renters in apartments and mobile home residents, by ensuring they can maintain essential utility access during heat events. The law requires utilities to create a reconnection process during extreme heat (defined as 92°F+ or National Weather Service alerts), allow payment plans covering up to 6% of a customer’s monthly income, and maintain records of all requests. The rule takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends existing law to permanently include heat-related disconnection protections.
H 195 would require Vermont's Department for Children and Families to provide monthly cash payments to homeless and runaway youth aged 18 to 24. The bill directly affects this specific age group experiencing housing instability, offering a regular income stream. The key provision establishes a formal process for distributing these payments through the state's child welfare agency.
This bill would create a new sales tax exemption for building materials and supplies used in constructing "priority housing projects" as defined in Vermont law. It directly affects construction companies and developers building qualifying housing projects by eliminating the state sales tax on materials like lumber, drywall, and roofing. The exemption applies to all materials consumed during construction, including those physically incorporated into the building. The change would take effect on July 1, 2025, and requires vendors to maintain records of exempt sales.
