Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2026

H 821: An act relating to artificial intelligence

H.821 establishes an updated Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council in Vermont, requiring it to study AI's impacts on education, finance, and public health. The bill mandates that businesses using generative AI in consumer services must disclose this usage to customers. The Council must submit a report by January 15, 2027, with recommendations for ethical AI use in public services and pilot projects for public finance engagement. The bill also specifies the Council's membership composition, including state agency representatives and experts in ethics, health, and education. This legislation directly affects Vermont state agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and businesses offering consumer services using AI tools.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI disclosure by businesses for consumer transparency, aligning with ethical use and consumer protection regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 256: An act relating to voyeurism and disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent

This Vermont bill (S.256) criminalizes threatening to disclose intimate images without consent to coerce someone into producing more images, engaging in sexual conduct, or providing something of value. It also expands existing voyeurism laws to cover non-consensual disclosure of images showing a person nude or engaged in sexual conduct, extending criminal statute of limitations for such acts and eliminating it for civil lawsuits. Victims can now seek damages for harm caused by intentional disclosure of their intimate images, including recovery for trauma-related disorders. The law directly affects individuals whose private images are exploited and those who threaten or disclose such images without consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal penalties for non-consensual image disclosure and enhances victim protections under criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections by criminalizing non-consensual disclosure of intimate images, directly aligning with data privacy focus of the topic.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 776: An act relating to the use of artificial intelligence in health care coverage decisions

This Vermont bill (H.776) requires health insurance companies using artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions to base those decisions on individual patient medical records - not group data - and prohibits AI from denying coverage. Final coverage decisions must be made by licensed human health care providers after reviewing patient-specific clinical information. The bill also mandates quarterly AI performance reviews, transparency about AI use in policies, and ensures tools are applied fairly across all patients with similar needs. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI denial of coverage, mandates human review of patient records, and requires transparency - protecting patient rights and ensuring individualized care decisions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI in health insurance to protect patient privacy via individual data use, human oversight, and transparency - prevents algorithmic bias per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2026

S 297: An act relating to electronic ballot return in local elections

This bill (S.297) allows Vermont towns, cities, and villages to adopt secure electronic ballot return systems for local elections using the Australian ballot method. It requires any adopted system to meet strict security standards - including end-to-end encryption, dual-factor authentication, and biometric verification - to protect voter data and ballot integrity. Municipal clerks must transcribe all electronic ballots to anonymous paper copies for counting, storage, and auditing, just like paper ballots. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and the Secretary of State must provide security and privacy guidance for municipalities. It directly affects local election administrators and voters in communities choosing to implement this option.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict security standards (encryption, biometrics) for electronic voting systems, enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity protections.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 248: An act relating to genetic data privacy

This bill, S.248 (Genetic Information Privacy Act), requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies operating in Vermont to protect the genetic data of Vermont residents. Companies must obtain explicit consumer consent before sharing data (prohibiting "dark patterns" like deceptive interfaces), allow consumers to access their own genetic data, and limit data sharing without permission. The law defines "genetic data" broadly to include DNA, RNA, SNPs, and derived information, but excludes de-identified data and data used in federally compliant research. It directly affects Vermont residents using genetic testing services and the companies providing those services within the state.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates explicit consent and data protection for genetic testing companies, strengthening consumer data privacy in technology sector per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · Vermont · House May 13, 2026

H 650: An act relating to educational technology products

H 650 requires educational technology providers (like software companies) to annually register with Vermont’s Secretary of State by January 31, paying a $100 fee and submitting privacy policies. It mandates the Secretary of State to create certification standards for these products, ensuring they comply with privacy laws and avoid collecting sensitive student data (like health or behavioral information). Schools cannot use uncertified products, and certification must verify that products are designed for education, have clear privacy practices, and do not include features like targeted advertising or compulsive usage triggers. This directly affects tech providers and Vermont schools by establishing a formal review process before products can be used in classrooms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires edtech privacy certification to protect student data, ensuring compliant products are used in schools per bill's privacy mandates.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates privacy certification for edtech products to prevent collection of sensitive student data, aligning with data privacy protections.95% confidence

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passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 213: An act relating to the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices

S.213 requires Vermont public water systems to notify customers before installing smart meters and allow them to opt out. Customers can choose not to have wireless smart meters installed (though systems may charge for alternative meters), and can request removal of existing meters without fees. The bill applies to all public water systems serving 15+ connections or 25+ people annually. It also mandates cybersecurity measures for systems using smart meters by July 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity measures for smart meters and allows customer opt-out for privacy, aligning with data privacy and security protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Telecommunications

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 245: An act relating to allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent

This Vermont bill (S.245) amends health care statutes to require both patient and provider consent before recording telehealth appointments or audio-only phone consultations. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients using telemedicine services, clarifying that recordings may only occur with explicit agreement from both parties. The key provision adds a dual-consent requirement to existing rules prohibiting unauthorized recordings during virtual or phone health visits. The bill does not create new recording rights but establishes a clear consent mechanism for existing telehealth practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dual consent for telehealth recordings, protecting patient privacy rights in healthcare services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires dual consent for telehealth recordings, strengthening patient data privacy protections in digital healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 30, 2026

H 846: An act relating to artificial intelligence and elections

H.846 requires high-traffic online platforms to block materially deceptive election content and label inauthentic or synthetic AI-generated content during specific periods before and after Vermont elections. It prohibits knowingly distributing deceptive election ads with malice within 120 days of an election. The bill also mandates that political advertisements created or altered using AI include a clear disclosure statement. These provisions directly affect online platforms, political advertisers, and election participants in Vermont.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates labeling of AI-generated political ads and blocks deceptive election content, regulating AI use for consumer protection in elections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2026

H 829: An act relating to notification of robocalls that use an artificial voice

H.829 requires businesses or organizations making robocalls with artificial voices (generated or altered using AI) to first play a natural, unrecorded voice announcement before delivering any prerecorded message. This announcement must state the call’s purpose, the caller’s name/address/phone number, ask if the recipient consents to hear the message, and disclose that an artificial voice will be used. The law applies to all robocallers in Vermont using AI-generated voices and imposes civil penalties of $500 for a first violation (rising to $1,000 for repeat offenses), plus potential criminal penalties of up to 90 days in jail or $1,000 per call for willful violations. It directly affects telemarketers, debt collectors, and other entities using automated calls with artificial voices within Vermont.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI robocallers to disclose voice use and obtain consent, enhancing consumer transparency and protection against deceptive AI practices per data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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