Rep. Tristan Roberts

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Vermont Veterans' Home Board to establish a nursing home in Vermont that provides services and supports to Vermont veterans who do not currently reside at the Home. The legislation requires the new facility to comply with all applicable state and federal licensing and regulatory requirements. By adding a new subdivision to the relevant statute, the bill formally expands the Board's powers and duties to include this new service option. The measure was signed into law by the Governor in June 2024.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution officially recognizes May 6-12, 2024, as National Nurses Week in Vermont and designates May 9, 2024, as ANA-Vermont Hill Day at the State House. The measure honors the nursing profession by acknowledging nurses' contributions to healthcare, particularly during the pandemic, and invites the public to express gratitude to nurses on that date. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to ANA-Vermont, the organization overseeing the commemoration. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the nursing profession's importance.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes June 2024 as National Scoliosis Awareness Month in Vermont. It directly affects individuals with scoliosis, their families, healthcare providers, and related organizations in the state. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Scoliosis Research Society and the Vermont Orthopaedic Society. This is a ceremonial measure that raises awareness about scoliosis, a condition involving sideways curvature of the spine that may require monitoring, bracing, or surgery depending on severity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers to limit step therapy requirements for prescription drugs, allowing exceptions when a medication is contraindicated, ineffective, or not in the patient's best interest. It also prohibits requiring documented medication trials before approving prescriptions for substance use disorder treatment and mandates coverage of at least one readily available asthma controller medication without prior authorization. Additionally, the law restricts prior authorization requirements for services ordered by primary care providers, with exceptions for prescription drugs and out-of-network care. The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation is tasked with enforcing these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 5-11, 2024, as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Vermont to honor the work of correctional staff. It directly affects correctional officers, employees, and related state agencies by formally recognizing their roles in maintaining security, supervising daily operations, and supporting rehabilitation within the state's correctional system. The resolution requires the Secretary of State to send copies to the Commissioner of Corrections, facility superintendents, and the Vermont State Employees' Association. This is a ceremonial recognition that does not create new laws, funding, or operational changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital in Townshend, Vermont, on its 75th anniversary. It does not create new laws or change any policies, but instead formally recognizes the hospital's history and contributions to the community. The resolution notes the hospital's founding in 1949 and highlights its various expansions and awards over the decades. The General Assembly directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of this acknowledgment to the hospital.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes May 2024 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in Vermont. It acknowledges the historical contributions and achievements of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans while also highlighting the discrimination they have faced, including exclusionary laws and internment during World War II. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to the Asian Cultural Center of Vermont for awareness purposes. This is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or policies but serves to honor and celebrate this community's heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that formally recognizes the transfer of 350 acres of land in Wheelock, Vermont, from private owner Molly Davies to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. The resolution acknowledges the circumstances surrounding the transfer, including the prior establishment of a conservation easement and the ceremonial exchange of an evergreen branch and pipe during Indigenous Peoples' Day 2023. It directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to both Molly Davies and Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies, but serves as an official record of this land transfer and its cultural significance.

Maddy summaryThis House concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures, an organization founded in 1975 that supports state and territorial legislators and their staff. The resolution recognizes the group's role in advancing state legislative effectiveness, fostering cooperation between states, and providing a unified voice for state legislatures in the federal system. It directs the Vermont Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measure is a commemorative action with no policy changes or budgetary impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's emergency housing eligibility rules by requiring medical certification for disability documentation. It allows households who cannot prove SSI or SSDI eligibility to use a specific form to document qualifying health conditions for temporary emergency housing. The form must include personal information, a description of the disability, risks to health and safety without housing, and verification from a licensed healthcare provider. This change affects individuals seeking emergency housing assistance and healthcare professionals providing disability certifications.