Technology

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 370: An act relating to cryptocurrency and protecting the public welfare

H.370, the "Cryptocurrency Public Protection Act," prohibits Vermont state pension funds and all state funds from investing in cryptocurrency, requiring them to divest holdings by July 1, 2025. It mandates the state financial regulator to develop fraud prevention rules for cryptocurrency by November 2025 and requires the Public Utility Commission to investigate cryptocurrency mining facility locations and utility rates to protect communities and ratepayers. The bill directly affects state retirement systems, consumers through fraud safeguards, and municipalities regarding mining facility impacts. Key mechanisms include mandatory divestment timelines, regulatory framework development, and environmental/siting reviews for mining operations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits state pension/funds from investing in cryptocurrency and mandates regulatory oversight, restricting state involvement in crypto technology per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 150: An act relating to privacy protections for mobile identification and images recorded by automated traffic law enforcement systems

S.150 establishes privacy protections for Vermont residents using mobile identification (such as digital driver's licenses) and limits access to images recorded by automated traffic enforcement systems. The bill requires that when mobile ID verification occurs, only the minimal necessary data (e.g., age for a store purchase) is disclosed with the user's consent, and prohibits businesses or law enforcement from taking physical possession of the user's device. It mandates that verification systems prevent linking data to specific users and cannot retain records of who accessed an ID or when. These rules apply to all entities requesting mobile ID verification, including businesses, law enforcement, and government agencies.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates minimal data disclosure with consent and prohibits device access, strengthening data privacy protections for mobile ID systems.90% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 5, 2025

S 49: An act relating to protecting the privacy of individuals seeking reproductive health care services

This bill prohibits using geofencing technology within 1,850 feet of reproductive health care facilities to track or target patients, and bans law enforcement from obtaining "reverse keyword warrants" that identify people searching online for reproductive health services. It directly affects individuals seeking reproductive care (by protecting their location and search privacy), health care facilities (by restricting surveillance near their locations), and law enforcement (by banning specific surveillance methods). Key provisions include banning location-based tracking via apps or devices, preventing targeted messaging to patients near clinics, and prohibiting government entities from seeking warrants based on online search terms related to reproductive health. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with violations punishable by up to $500 per offense.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for reproductive healthcare access, directly advancing patient rights and access to healthcare services per bill's prohibitions on surveillance and tracking near facilities.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans geofencing and reverse keyword warrants tracking reproductive health seekers, restricting surveillance technology use to protect privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Tags Privacy

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signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 293: An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the Department of Health’s reporting and programming requirements

H 293 changes Vermont's health equity reporting requirements by reducing the frequency of Department of Health reports from annual to every three years starting in 2028. It also updates disclosure rules for cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) registries, requiring written confidentiality agreements before sharing identifiable health data with researchers or other registries. The bill ensures that any shared data must be minimized to what's necessary for research, while maintaining privacy protections under state and federal law. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, and directly affect the Department of Health, healthcare researchers, and state registries managing cancer and ALS patient data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires confidentiality agreements and data minimization for health registries, protecting patient privacy in research data sharing.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires confidentiality agreements and data minimization for health registries, strengthening privacy protections for health data sharing.85% confidence

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2025

H 93: An act relating to the creation and maintenance of a database of veterans in Vermont

This bill requires Vermont's Office of Veterans Affairs to create and maintain a database of state veterans, collecting personal information from state agencies. It mandates that all state agencies provide veteran data "to the maximum extent practicable" while keeping all personally identifying details exempt from public records requests under Vermont law. The database will be confidential, with information protected from public inspection or copying, even overriding standard public records exemptions. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, and directly affects Vermont veterans whose personal details are collected, as well as state agencies responsible for sharing that data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates confidentiality for veteran data and exempts personal details from public records, directly protecting data privacy as a core technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 390: An act relating to restrictions on digital advertising brokers

H 390 prohibits digital advertising brokers from owning both buying and selling brokerage services, directly affecting companies that operate in this dual role. The bill requires these brokers to follow ethical business practices, including using reasonable diligence to avoid conflicts of interest and acting in their customers' best interests. Key provisions mandate separate ownership structures for buying and selling services and establish standards for broker conduct. The bill aims to increase transparency and fairness in digital advertising transactions. It is currently pending in the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates digital advertising brokers to prevent conflicts of interest and protect customers, aligning with consumer protection in technology policy.85% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 93: An act relating to consumer data privacy

S 93, the Vermont Data Privacy Act, would give Vermont residents new rights over their personal data, including the ability to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses by businesses. It specifically strengthens protections for sensitive health data like reproductive, sexual, and gender-affirming health information, requiring businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent without deceptive "dark patterns." The bill prohibits companies from using precise geolocation data or biometric information without explicit permission and sets strict rules for how businesses must handle personal data. These provisions would directly affect Vermont residents and all businesses collecting their data within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly strengthens protections for sensitive health data (reproductive, sexual, gender-affirming) requiring affirmative consent, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare data privacy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens consumer data privacy rights, mandates consent for sensitive health data, prohibits misuse of geolocation/biometrics - directly protects digital rights95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Vermont · House Apr 1, 2025

H 500: An act relating to automated license plate recognition systems

This bill (H.500) prevents the repeal of existing Vermont regulations governing automated license plate recognition (ALPR) systems used by law enforcement. It specifically preserves provisions in 23 V.S.A. chapter 15, subchapter 2 that regulate how police can use ALPR data, including rules for data retention and permissible uses. The bill directly affects Vermont law enforcement agencies that deploy ALPR technology. It maintains current restrictions on how long license plate data can be stored and how it may be accessed or shared, without creating new requirements. The legislation is procedural, aiming to keep existing privacy safeguards in place.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves ALPR data restrictions, maintaining civil rights protections in law enforcement surveillance per 23 V.S.A. chapter 15.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPreserves Vermont's ALPR data retention and usage rules, maintaining existing privacy protections for license plate data collected via law enforcement technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 388: An act relating to the protection of an individual’s digital replica

This bill sets rules for when companies can use digital replicas (like AI-generated versions of a person) in service contracts. It requires clear consent from individuals and specific terms about how these digital replicas can be used. The law directly affects people whose digital likeness might be replicated and the businesses creating or using such replicas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates consent for digital replicas, directly protecting data privacy and regulating tech company use of personal digital likenesses.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 366: An act relating to neurological rights

H 366 establishes new rights for individuals regarding neural data and brain activity, directly affecting people using neurotechnology (like brain-computer interfaces) and the companies developing such devices. The bill requires written consent before collecting or sharing neural data (defined as brain activity measurements), prohibits "consciousness bypass" (using tech to manipulate brain activity without awareness), and allows individuals to revoke consent at any time. It enforces these rules through Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all entities handling neural data within Vermont.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires consent for neural data collection, prohibits unauthorized use, and allows consent revocation - directly protecting user privacy in neurotechnology.90% confidence

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