Rep. Chloe Tomlinson

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 657) enables unaccompanied homeless youth aged 16+ to access key services without parental consent. It creates a certification process where youth verified as homeless by school liaisons, shelter directors, or homeless service providers receive a standardized form from the Department for Children and Families. This certification allows youth to obtain medical/dental care, mental health services, driver’s licenses, housing, school enrollment, banking services, and vital records - without needing parental permission. The bill clarifies that parental consent is not required if parents forced the youth out, neglected them, or refused support, with the Department acting in place of a guardian.

Maddy summaryThis bill, H.639 (Genetic Information Privacy Act), requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to protect the genetic data of Vermont residents. It mandates that companies obtain clear "express consent" from consumers before collecting or sharing their genetic data (defined as information from DNA analysis, including SNPs and inferred data), prohibits using "dark patterns" to manipulate consent, and limits data sharing without permission. Consumers gain the right to access their own genetic data and must actively authorize its use. The law applies specifically to companies offering genetic testing directly to Vermont residents, excluding deidentified data and research conducted under federal human subjects protections.

Maddy summaryH 686 requires lobbyists, lobbying firms, or their employers to clearly identify themselves in advertisements intended to influence Vermont legislative action. Specifically, any ad paid for by these entities must include their name and a statement that the advertisement was paid for by them, before the end of a legislative session. This applies to all such ads created during the session and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects lobbying organizations and their paid communications with the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 211) requires data brokers in Vermont to notify consumers if their personal information is involved in a security breach, certify that data is used for legitimate purposes, and provide an accessible way for consumers to request deletion of their information. It directly affects Vermont residents whose personal data is collected and sold by businesses without a direct customer relationship (e.g., companies selling addresses, phone numbers, or biometric data). Key provisions define "data brokers" narrowly to exclude businesses with direct customer ties (like retailers or employers) and clarify that publicly available business information isn’t covered. The bill aims to strengthen protections for consumer data by adding specific obligations for brokers handling sensitive information like Social Security numbers or biometric identifiers.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that honors Representative Kevin "Coach" Christie of Hartford for his civic leadership and extends best wishes for his future. It recognizes his long history of public service, including his work as an educator, his role on the Hartford School Board, and his legislative focus on education and social equity. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Representative Christie.

Maddy summaryH.739 prohibits the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat in Vermont, including specific forms like "paraquat dichloride" and "paraquat bis(methylsulfate)." The bill would directly affect farmers, agricultural businesses, and pesticide sellers who currently use or sell paraquat. It allows limited exemptions only for environmental or agricultural emergencies when no less harmful alternative exists, with exemptions valid for up to one year and requiring specific details like geographic scope and permitted uses. The bill does not create new enforcement mechanisms but defines the prohibition and exemption process.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that honors the life and public service of former Representative Francis Matthew "Topper" McFaun. It recognizes his long career in Vermont, which included roles in the executive branch, local government, and coaching, as well as his nearly 11 years serving in the House of Representatives. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to the community and directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to him.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that expresses the General Assembly's best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery to Representative Anne Donahue. It directly affects Representative Donahue, who recently suffered a brain aneurysm but is recovering well as of March 2026. The resolution highlights her long-standing contributions to mental health care, including her work on the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital and efforts to address historical injustices related to eugenics. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to Representative Donahue.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "neurological rights" in Vermont, protecting individuals from unauthorized use of neural data (like brain activity measurements) and preventing AI from bypassing conscious decisions without consent. It requires written consent before collecting or sharing neural data from brain-computer interfaces, bans "consciousness bypass" (using tech to manipulate brain activity without awareness), and regulates AI in mental health chatbots and patient communications. The law directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and AI developers in Vermont's health/human services sector. It also extends the AI Advisory Council's mandate and mandates reports on ethical AI use in healthcare, education, and human services.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution honors the life and service of former Washington County Senator Mary Just Skinner. It formally expresses the General Assembly's condolences to her family following her unexpected death in January 2026. The bill directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to her family as a gesture of respect.