Technology

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 18, 2025

S 70: An act relating to data brokers and personal information

This Vermont bill (S 70) requires data brokers - businesses that collect and sell personal information about consumers without a direct relationship (like a customer or employee) - to take specific steps to protect residents' privacy. It mandates that data brokers notify consumers of security breaches involving personal data, certify that data is used for legitimate purposes, and provide an accessible way for consumers to request deletion of their information. The bill directly affects Vermont residents whose personal data is collected by these brokers and sets clear rules for how brokers must handle and protect that information. It does not apply to businesses sharing publicly available business or professional information or those maintaining directory services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data brokers to protect privacy via breach notifications, legitimate use certification, and deletion requests - directly strengthening consumer data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed both · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2025

HCR 18: House concurrent resolution honoring Vermont’s communications union districts for their visionary leadership and effective efforts in bringing world class fiber optic service to rural communities

HCR 18 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Vermont's communications union districts (CUDs) for their work bringing fiber-optic broadband to rural areas. It recognizes that CUDs - local entities formed under 2015 law - reduced the number of rural internet addresses with poor service from 100,000 to 20,000 by building infrastructure using municipal bonds and grants without burdening communities. The resolution formally expresses the General Assembly’s appreciation and directs copies to the CUDs, the Vermont Community Development Board, and the Governor. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy or funding.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHonors CUDs for reducing rural poor internet service addresses by building fiber infrastructure, directly advancing broadband access and digital equity in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 356: An act relating to the creation of the Unemployment Compensation Benefit Modernization Advisory Committee

H 356 creates the Unemployment Compensation Benefit Modernization Advisory Committee to advise Vermont's Department of Labor on implementing technological upgrades to the unemployment benefits delivery system. The committee, composed of appointed legislators, Department of Labor staff, labor representatives, employers, and legal aid attorneys, will monitor the upgrades, make recommendations, and assist with testing. It must submit quarterly reports to legislative committees starting September 2025, with the committee dissolving by June 2026 or once the system is fully implemented. This bill directly affects how unemployment benefits are delivered to Vermont workers by establishing a formal advisory process for technology changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates committee to modernize unemployment benefits delivery system, ensuring efficient access to worker benefits. Includes labor representatives in advisory role.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates committee to implement tech upgrades for unemployment system, advancing technological modernization in public services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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passed · Vermont · Senate May 30, 2025

SR 15: Senate resolution urging that all State agencies, departments, and offices protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and all aspects of personal privacy of Vermonters who have been diagnosed with autism in light of the Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services’ recently announced plans to establish an autism research database and other databases related to autism

This Senate resolution urges Vermont state agencies to protect the civil rights, medical confidentiality, and personal privacy of residents diagnosed with autism, in response to federal plans for an autism research database. It specifically addresses concerns that the federal database - collecting medical records and wearable device data - could use sensitive health information without explicit consent. The resolution directs agencies to safeguard this data and references Illinois' similar privacy protections for autism-related information. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but calls for proactive privacy safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects medical confidentiality and privacy for autism diagnoses, directly safeguarding patient rights in healthcare data collection95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly directs agencies to safeguard personal privacy regarding health data collection in federal databases, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.90% confidence

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vetoed · Vermont · House Apr 9, 2025

H 489: An act relating to fiscal year 2025 budget adjustments

H.489 adjusts the Vermont state budget for fiscal year 2025 by modifying funding allocations across multiple agencies. It increases total funding for the Judiciary by $2.56 million (primarily through General Fund) and shifts $786,000 from Operating Expenses to Personal Services for the Agency of Digital Services. The bill also raises Human Services funding by $841,000, including a $4.3 million increase in the Global Commitment fund, while reducing Public Safety Criminal Justice Services funding by $681,000. These changes directly affect state agencies managing digital infrastructure, courts, public safety, and human services programs. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on April 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases Judiciary ($2.56M) and Human Services ($841k + $4.3M Global Commitment), funding essential programs through budget adjustments.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReduces Public Safety Criminal Justice Services funding, directly defunding a core criminal justice service area.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyShifts $786k to Agency of Digital Services for tech operations, directly funding digital infrastructure85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Digital Government

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 360: An act relating to privacy protections for mobile identification

H.360 establishes privacy protections for Vermont residents using mobile identification, such as digital driver's licenses or nonmobile credentials. It requires mobile ID systems to let users share only necessary information (e.g., age verification without revealing full birthdate) and obtain explicit consent before disclosing any data. The bill prohibits businesses from forcing mobile ID use for services unless legally required (like age checks for alcohol sales) and mandates that verification systems cannot store, link, or share data about ID checks. These rules apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles and all entities using mobile ID verification.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates data minimization, explicit consent, and prohibits forced mobile ID use, directly protecting user privacy in technology systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 71: An act relating to consumer data privacy and online surveillance

Vermont's S.71, the Vermont Data Privacy Act, creates new rules for businesses handling personal data of Vermont residents. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent (not dark patterns or broad terms) before collecting personal data, with special protections for sensitive information like reproductive health, gender-affirming care, and precise location data (within 1,750 feet). The law prohibits using geofencing to track individuals near sensitive locations like abortion clinics or mental health facilities. It directly affects all businesses processing personal data of Vermont residents, including tech companies, retailers, and health services, by mandating transparency and restricting how they can use or share consumer information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects reproductive health and gender-affirming care data from surveillance, aligning with patient privacy protections in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires clear consent for data collection, protects sensitive data (reproductive health, location), prohibits geofencing near clinics - directly strengthens consumer data privacy regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 208: An act relating to consumer data privacy and online surveillance

H.208 creates Vermont's first comprehensive data privacy law, giving residents specific rights over their personal data. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent for data collection (prohibiting "dark patterns" like deceptive pop-ups), bans the sale of biometric data and sensitive health information (including gender-affirming and reproductive health data), and restricts online tracking. The law directly affects Vermont residents and any business collecting their data, including data brokers and companies using contextual advertising. Key provisions include mandatory opt-in consent for data processing, requirements for transparent privacy notices, and new protections against automated decisions affecting housing, employment, or healthcare access.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates comprehensive data privacy law requiring consent, banning biometric data sales, and restricting tracking - directly strengthens consumer data protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 84: An act relating to allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent

This bill allows telehealth and telephone medical consultations in Vermont to be recorded only with the explicit consent of both the patient and the health care provider. It amends Vermont law to require mutual consent before any recording of these appointments can occur, updating statutes for telemedicine (§ 9361) and audio-only phone consultations (§ 9362). The law directly affects all patients and providers using telehealth services in Vermont, ensuring recordings are permitted only with agreement from both parties. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mutual consent for telehealth recordings, protecting patient and provider privacy in healthcare services per Vermont law updates.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates mutual consent for telehealth recordings, directly enhancing data privacy protections in digital health services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth