Sen. Ruth Hardy

Maddy summaryThis Vermont bill directs the Office of Professional Regulation to review whether doulas should be regulated through registration, certification, or licensure, with results due by January 2025. It also requires the Department of Vermont Health Access to calculate the estimated costs of adding doula services to Medicaid coverage and recommend whether to include them in the state's health plan. The bill defines a qualified doula as one who is registered, certified, or licensed by the state, and mandates that any Medicaid coverage for these services only apply to doulas meeting those standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Vermont's battery stewardship program to include rechargeable batteries and battery-containing products, requiring retailers to stop selling these items unless the manufacturer has an approved recycling or management plan. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to retailers, battery producers, and battery manufacturers who must either join an approved stewardship organization or demonstrate they are exempt from the program. The bill also adds administrative procedures for registering stewardship organizations and establishes a process for requesting administrative use controls at contaminated hazardous material sites.

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 directs Vermont's Departments of Health and Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living to create and maintain public education materials about Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare providers. It requires these departments to train healthcare providers on early detection methods, screening benefits for adults 65 and older, and cultural competency while increasing public awareness of early warning signs and the importance of timely diagnosis. The law also mandates a presentation on rare diseases to state health committees and takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's environmental regulations to strengthen protections for wetlands, river corridors, and flood hazard areas while clarifying municipal authority over development in these zones. It requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to consult with state agencies and regional planning commissions when updating wetland maps, and it allows municipalities to regulate accessory dwelling units in flood hazard areas without requiring separate permits for certain planting projects. The legislation also establishes stricter phosphorus discharge limits for wastewater facilities in Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog drainage basins, mandates a cost analysis of the Green River Dam, and directs state officials to study options for waiving permit fees for low-income applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Vermont's Open Meeting Law to require most state and local government meetings to be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend both in person and online. It applies to state boards, councils, and commissions, as well as local government bodies, while exempting advisory groups that do not have decision-making power. The law mandates that these meetings be electronically recorded and made publicly available for at least 30 days after minutes are posted, and requires public bodies to designate accessible physical locations for in-person attendance. Local municipalities may request exemptions from recording requirements if they can prove compliance would cause undue hardship based on their size, budget, and staffing. The bill also clarifies definitions related to meetings and public participation, ensuring transparency regardless of whether meetings occur in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid arrangement.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Vermont courts decide bail and release conditions by requiring judges to consider a defendant's compliance with court orders and past court appearances. It removes a $200 bail limit for certain misdemeanor charges when defendants face additional crimes while awaiting trial and allows new release options like pretrial supervision and expanded home detention. The law also clarifies how firearm use in drug trafficking counts as a violent act for bail decisions and makes community restitution a formal sentencing alternative. Additionally, it requires oversight committees to review funding and operations for pretrial programs and mandates a self-review by the Corrections Monitoring Commission to improve efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Vermont's climate change cost recovery program to allow the state to charge fossil fuel companies for climate adaptation costs without requiring them to be part of a specific support project. It changes how payment schedules work by requiring installments to be paid annually at 10% of the total amount, with interest charges and adjustments based on inflation. The law also extends the time companies have to respond to cost recovery notices from 15 to 30 days and clarifies that existing legal remedies remain available alongside this program. These changes take effect on July 1, 2024, but apply retroactively to costs incurred since January 1, 1995.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new study committee composed of legislators to examine ways to improve county-level government in Vermont. The committee will focus on enhancing public safety, tax collection, and how public resources are distributed across the state. To support its work, the bill also creates a separate technical advisory group made up of non-legislators to provide expert recommendations on local government structure and organization. Additionally, the Secretary of Administration must report on how Vermont's current governance system affected its ability to receive federal emergency funding following the 2023 flooding events.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont schools to use evidence-based reading assessments for all students in kindergarten through third grade and mandates that those who struggle significantly receive extra reading support. It directs the state education agency to create guidance on these assessments, report progress to lawmakers, and establish notification procedures for parents when screening results indicate a need for intervention. The legislation also requires educators to receive professional training on reading assessments and instruction, updates school literacy planning requirements for independent schools, and adjusts the structure and timeline of the state's literacy advisory council.