Legislative View
2023 VCP Legislative Agenda
2023 VCP Legislative Advocacy Webinar recording
Legislative Advocacy Fact Sheet
Legislative Committees by DA/SSA Region Reference Sheet
2023 VCP Legislative Updates:
Legislative Wrap-up for 2023 – FY2024 Appropriations Act, H.171/Act 81, an Act Relating to Adult Protective Services – no legislative summary yet, S.47/Act 25 An Act relating to the transport of individuals requiring psychiatric care – Legislative Summary, H.282/Act 37 An act relating to the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact – Act Summary, H.62/Act 34 Interstate Counseling Compact – Act Summary, S.91 /Act 28, An act relating to competency to stand trial and insanity as a defense – no legislative summary yet, H.481 /Act 56, An Act Related to Public Health Initiatives to Address Death by Suicide – Act Summary, S.138 /Act 29, Maintaining safety of independent schools – Act Summary, H.230/Act 45, An act relating to implementing mechanisms to reduce suicide and community violence – Act Summary, S.36/Act 24, An act relating to crimes against health care workers at hospitals and against emergency medical treatment providers – Act Summary, S.89/Act 27 An act relating to establishing a Forensic Facility – Bill Summary, S. 100/Act 47 An act relating to housing opportunities made for everyone – no legislative summary yet, S.9 An Act relating to the authority of the State Auditor to examine the books and records of State contractors
Legislative Update for June 22, 2023 – Legislative Action to Address Individuals Losing Pandemic Federally Funded Housing in Hotels, Adult Protective Services Legislation Passes During the Special Section
Legislative Update for May 15, 2023 – Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Includes a 5% Rate Increase for DA/SSAs; DMH Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Present Updates to House Health Care Committee: Urgent Care, Mobile Crisis, CCBHCs; Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Feasibility Study; Senate Judiciary and Health and Welfare Committees Review House Version of Forensic Bill; House Health Care Receives Update on Mental Health Parity
Legislative Update for May 9, 2023 – Appropriations Conference Committee Works through Differences, Warrant Bill Passes House Health Care Committee, School Safety Bill in House Education Committee, Senate Education Committee Discusses Public Tuition Policy, Senate Judiciary Takes Back S.91, Separating Competency and Sanity Evaluations, House Corrections and Institutions Accepts Testimony on Forensic Facility, House Judiciary Services Finalizes Forensic Legislation after Policy Committees Provides Perspective
Legislative Update for May 2, 2023 – Progress on Updating the Warrant Statute in the House Health Care Committee, House Human Services Reviews Forensic Bill Specific to Developmental Disabilities, Senate Health and Welfare Continues Review of Adult Protective Services Bill, House Health Care Reviews Forensic Bill, House Government Operations Takes Testimony on State Auditor Review of Contractors, Separating Competency and Sanity Evaluations Reviewed in the House Judiciary Committee, Senate Education Committee Reviews Bill on Schools that Receive Public Tuition
Legislative Update for April 25, 2023 – Senate Appropriations Approves FY24 Budget Bill, Testimony on Updating the Warrant Statute in House Health Care and House Judiciary Committees, Smooth Sailing for Interstate Mental Health Compacts in Senate Health and Welfare Committee, Schools Accepting Public Tuition Dollars Discussed in Senate Education Committee, Reducing Suicides through Firearms Policy in Senate Judiciary Committee, H.481 Suicide Prevention Bill Gets Attention in Senate Health and Welfare Committee, Senate Health and Welfare Reviews Workforce Language Related to Health and Human Services, House Judiciary Committee Finalizes Warrantless Arrest Bill, House Judiciary Committee Takes up Bill to Develop a Forensic Facility, Senate Health and Welfare Continues Testimony on Adult Protective Services, House Health Care Committee Reviews Forensic Facility Bill
Legislative Update for April 17, 2023 – House Health Care Committee Considers Updating the Warrant Statute, Suicide Prevention Bill Presented in Senate Health and Welfare Committee, Firearm Safety Bill Testimony in Senate Judiciary Committee, Mental Health Compacts in Senate Health and Welfare Committee, House Judiciary Review Bill Separating Competency and Sanity Evaluations, House Judiciary Committee Continues Testimony on Warrantless Arrest, Health and Health and Welfare Committees Receive Report from Health Equity Advisory Commission, Senate Health and Welfare Takes up Adult Protective Services Bill, House Judiciary Committee Studies the Bill to Develop a Forensic Facility, House Judiciary Committee Continues Working through Hospital Warrantless Arrest Bill, Forensic Facility Testimony Heard in House Corrections and Institutions Committee, Senate Economic Development and Health and Welfare Committees
Legislative Update for April 10, 2023 – House of Representatives Recognizes Youth Mental Health, House Judiciary Committee Continues Testimony on Warrantless Arrests in Health Care Facilities, House General and Housing Considers Access to VT Home Improvement Program for people with I/DD, Senate Health and Welfare Takes Testimony on the 2024 Budget, Senate Health and Welfare Receives Introduction to H.171 to Update Abuse and Neglect Statute, Reducing Mechanisms for Suicide in Senate Judiciary, April 6, 2023, VCP Testified on Revising the Warrant Statute in House Health Care, April 6, 2023
Legislative Update for April 3, 2023 – House Judiciary Committee Begins Testimony on Health Care Workers Warrantless Arrests, The House of Representatives Passes FY24 Budget, Independent School Bill Amended with Moratorium on New Independent Schools, Forensic Facility and Adjustments to Competency and Sanity Evaluations Passes the Senate, Looking at the Rule 4500 Series on Seclusions and Restraints in House Education Committee, Independent Schools Overview in Senate Education Committee, The Interstate Counseling Compact in Senate Health and Welfare Committee, Senate Passes School Safety Bill
Legislative Update for March 28, 2023 – Crossover Leads to Progress on Many Bills, House Appropriations Fine Tunes the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget Bill, House Human Services Hears about Green Mountain Support Services (GMSS) Transition, Final Senate Testimony on Transportation of Involuntary People/Mental Health Warrants, Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative—Act 186 Update, Restraints and Seclusion Discussed in House Education Committee, Oversight of Approved Independent Schools in House Education Committee, Bill on Competency to Stand Trial and Insanity as a Defense in Senate Committees, Forensic Facility Bill Testimony in Senate Health and Welfare Committee, Agency Staff Give their Perspective to the Legislative Workers Caucus
Legislative Update for March 22, 2023 – Senate Health and Welfare Approves S.47 to Clarify Transport in Need of Psychiatric Care, House Commerce Committee Approves Tuition Assistance/Loan Repayment, House Judiciary Committee Comments on H.171—An act relating to adult protective services, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Quality Measures, The Role of the Suicide Prevention Coordinator Defined in House Health Care Committee, Moving forward on the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact in House Health Care
Legislative Update for March 10, 2023 – Funding for Developmental and Mental Health Services Raised at Appropriations Hearing, The House Health Recommends 4% COLA for Substance Use and Mental Health Services, House Health Care Considers Budget Request from the Blueprint for Health, State Health Advocate Weighs in on FY24 Budget, House Committee on Human Services Marks-up Adult Protective Services Bill, Disability Awareness Day Testimony at House Human Services Committee, Disability Awareness Day Testimony at House Committee on General and Housing, A Bill Proposing a Forensic Facility is in Presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee, House Health Care and Education Committees Want Federal Funds for Student Mental Health, Discussion on Suicide Prevention in House Health Care, Senate Health and Welfare Considers Bill to Update Emergency Transport Orders
Legislative Update for March 1, 2023 – TESTIMONY: Peer Certification Testimony at House Health Care Committee, House Human Services Considers FY 24 Budget Recommendations, House Health Care Committee Learns about Northeast Kingdom Therapeutic Alternatives, House Health Care Learns about the State’s Medicaid Rates Setting, Vermont Care Partners Weighs in on S.9 Enabling the State Auditor Access to State Contractor Records, House Health Care Committee Learns about Pathways for Housing and Gets Request for Soteria House, Senate Health and Welfare Accepts Testimony on S.37 Addressing Violence in Health Facilities, Suicide Prevention is Addressed in House Health Care Committee, Mobile Crisis Services Testimony at House Health Care Committee, House Health Care Committee Receives Overview of VCP Agencies and Budget Request, Establishment of a Forensic Facility Presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Public Tuition Dollars to Independent Schools Considered in House Education Committee, House Human Services Committee Conducts H.171 Mark-up
Legislative Update for February 22, 2023 – TESTIMONY: House Human Services Committee Marks Up Adult Protective Services Bill; Testimony on Suicide Prevention in House Health Care Committee; Mental Health in Schools in House Education Committee; Blueprint Expansion in House Health Care, February 15; Support for Blueprint Expansion in House Health Care Committee; Public Funding of Independent Schools Testimony in the House Education Committee; House Human Services Committee Learns about Quality Requirements; House and Senate Committees on Housing Hold Public Hearing on Housing
Legislative Update for February 15, 2023 – TESTIMONY: Human Services FY24 Budget Request Presented to House Appropriations Committee; House Appropriations Committee Hears DAIL Overview and FY24 Budget Request; House Appropriations Committee Hears DMH Overview and FY24 Budget Request; House Human Services Hears Testimony on Adult Protective Services (APS) in H.171; Developmental Services Payment Reform Testimony in House Human Services Committee; Testimony on S.36 Workplace Violence Prevention Bill in Senate Judiciary Committee; House Health Care Committee Supports the Interstate Counseling Compact H.62; Suicide Prevention Testimony Heard in House Health Care Committee; Testimony on Mental Health Needs in Schools Considered by House Education Committee; UPCOMING EVENTS: Public Hearing on Housing Thursday, February 16, 2023
Legislative Update for February 7, 2023 – TESTIMONY: S.36 Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers in the Senate Committees; Health Commissioner Levine Presents Substance Use FY24 Budget Request to House Committees; House Health Care Committee Receives Overview of Agency of Human Services FY24 Budget Request; House Health Care Committee Receives Department of Mental Health FY24 Budget Request; House Debate on Budget Adjustment Act; House Health Care Committee Hears Testimony from Wilda White Founder of Mad Freedom; House Human Services Receives an Update on Vermont’s Medicaid 1115 Waiver; House Human Services Committee (HHS) Overview of Conflict-Free Case Management (COI); Interstate Counseling Compact in House Health Care on January 31; DMH responds to Brattleboro Retreat Testimony in House Health Care; Disability Rights Vermont in Senate Judiciary; Mental Health Advocacy Day Testimony; House Passes Resolution on Mental Health; Link to Video Recording of Mental Health Advocacy Day; Housing Focus in House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee; Miss Vermont and NEA in Senate Education on February 2; Team Two and NAMI in Senate Health and Welfare; Mental Health Advocacy in House Health Care; Mental Health Advocacy to House Human Services Committee; UPCOMING EVENTS: Recovery Day on Wednesday, February 15, 2023; Public Hearing on Housing Thursday, February 16, 2023
Legislative Update for January 31, 2023 – Summary of Mental Health Advocacy Day – Mental Health Starts with YOUth; Department of Health Overviews for House and Senate Committees; Children’s Mental Health Focus in House Health Care; Substance Use Prevention Oversight and Advisory Council in Senate Health and Welfare; Commissioner of Finance and Management Offers Overview of Proposed FY24 Budget; AHS Provides Update on Workforce Investment Programs at Senate Health and Welfare; House Human Services Budget Adjustment Memo to House Appropriations Committee; House Human Services Committee Receives Overview of AHS Budget; Senate Health and Welfare Receives Overview from the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB); Governor’s Proposed FY2024 Budget – Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living to House Human Services Committee; Senate Health and Welfare Committee hears testimony from DAIL on H. 1; Senate Appropriations Committee hears FY23 BAA Testimony from DAIL; Upcoming Events: Disability Rights Listening Session: February 3, 2023; Recovery Day: February 15, 2023
Legislative Update for January 24, 2023 – DMH Testifies at House Health Care on the Budget Adjustment Act (BAA), Health Care Workforce Update from AHS at the House Health Care Committee, Blueprint Overview at Senate Health and Welfare and House Health Care, House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Receive Introduction to All Payer Model, House Health Care Committee Receives Overview on Hospitals, Appropriations and Finances Committees Receive Revenue Forecast Updates, House Appropriations Holds Public Hearing on FY23 Budget Adjustment, Governor Scott’s FY24 Budget Address, Legislative Counsel provides Overview on H.1 to Senate Health and Welfare Committee, Mental Health Advocacy Day – Mental Health Starts with YOUth – Mon, 1/30/2023 10 AM-2 PM, Information to prepare: Vermont Care Partners Legislative Advocacy Webinar – link to recording, Vermont Care Partners Advocacy Fact Sheet – link to download, Recovery Day – Wed, 2/15/2023 (details to participate forthcoming), Key Committees by DA and SSA region – link to document
Legislative Update for January 17, 2023 – Secretary Samuelson Provides Overview at House Health Care and House Human Services, Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) Overview to Senate Health & Welfare, Department of Disability Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) at House Human Services, House Human Services on Oversight of Payment Reform on Conflict Free Case Management, Department of Mental Health at Senate Health and Welfare and House Health Care, Health Care 101 for House and Senate Committees, Senate Appropriations and House Health Care Receives Update on ARPA Funds, House Health Care Learns about the History of Health Reform in Vermont, House Health Care Service Overview of Health Reform and Global Commitment Waiver, House Health Care Committee Learns about the Green Mountain Care Board, Annual Homelessness Awareness Day – Thursday, January 19, 2023, Virtual Legislative Advocacy Training on Monday, January 23 from 12 – 1 PM, Join us at Mental Health Advocacy Day – Mental Health Starts with YOUth on Monday, January 30, 2023, 10 – 2 PM, Vermont Care Partners Advocacy Fact Sheet
Legislative Update for January 10, 2023 -The new Legislative Biennium began on January 4, New Legislative Committees Appointed, Governor Presents Inaugural Address, The Administration’s Budget Adjustment Proposal Presented to the House Appropriations Committee, The Administration’s Budget Adjustment Proposal Presented to the House Appropriations Committee, Vermont Care Partners – Legislative Advocacy – Jan. 23 @ noon: Click here to register for the event, Mental Health Advocacy Day – Mental Health Starts with YOUth – Jan. 30, 10 AM – 2 PM, Vermont Care Partners Advocacy Fact Sheet, Youth Mental Health Advocacy Award
Legislative Update for January 3, 2023 – Vermont Care Partners Legislative Agenda for 2023, Virtual Legislative Advocacy Training on January 23, Mental Health Advocacy Day on January 30, How to Provide Testimony Following Mental Health Advocacy Day, between January 31-February 4, Youth Mental Health Advocacy Award
2022 VCP Legislative Agenda
2022 Legislative Advocacy Webinar presentation and transcript
2022 VCP Legislative Updates:
Legislative Update for May 10, 2022 – Status Update on Bills of interest: H.96, H.655, H.703—now S.11, H.711, H.720, H.740, S.195, S.197, S.285
Legislative Update for May 3, 2022 – House of Representatives Set to finalize S.285; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews House Changes to S.285; H.720 the Developmental Disabilities Bill Amended then passed by Senate and Sent to the House; Budget Conference Committee Negotiations Begin; Senate Government Operations Reviews H.96 on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Status Update on Bills of Interest
Legislative Update for April 26, 2022 – Senate Approves FY23 Budget with 8% Rate Increase for DA/SSAs/Home and Community-based Care; House Appropriations Committee Reviews Senate Proposal of Amendment to the FY23 Budget Bill; Senate Health and Welfare Makes Recommendation on H.703 to Economic Development Committee; Senate Health and Welfare Makes Recommendation on H.703 to Economic Development Committee; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews and Passes H.728 on Opioid Overdose Response Services; House Human Services Receives Overview of S.285 by Senator Ginny Lyons; House Health Care Testimony and Approval of S.285 the Health Reform Bill; House Appropriations Committee Reviews H.285; Senate Appropriations Reviews H.720 the Developmental Disabilities Bill; Senate Appropriations Reviews H.711 Opioid Advisory Bill; House Health Care Committee Considers S.195 on Peer Certification; House Human Services Reviews Public Engagement Plan on Conflict Free Case Management; Worker Relocation Program H.159
Legislative Update for April 19, 2022 – Senate Appropriations Recalibrates the FY23 Budget; Senate Health and Welfare Makes Budget Recommendations; House Health Care Accepts Testimony on S.285; Mental Health Supports Bill S.197 Reviewed in House Education Committee; Mental Health Licensure Passed by Senate Government Operations Committee; Opioid Overdose Response Services Bill H.728 Studied by Senate Health and Welfare Committee; Senate Government Operations Committee Discusses H.96 Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Finalizes H.720 Developmental Disabilities Bill; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Meets with State Prevention Officer Monica Hutt
Legislative Update for April 13, 2022 – Senate Appropriations Studies Designated and Specialized Service Agency funding in Budget Bill; Senate Health and Welfare Continues Testimony on H. 720 the Developmental Disabilities Bill; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews House FY23 Budget with Joint Fiscal Office; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Reviews House FY23 Budget; Senate Economic Development Committee Picks up H.703 Workforce Development Bill; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Passes H.153; House Health Care Committee Takes up S.285; Suicide Prevention Bill S.69 is Considered in Senate Health and Welfare; Senate Health and Welfare Passes H.655 on Telehealth and Licensing; Mental Health Bill Testimony is taken in Senate Government Operations Committee; Peer Support Bill S.195 Testimony is Heard in House Health Care Committee; Health Care Flexibilities Extension Signed into Law
Legislative Update for April 5, 2022 – Senate Appropriations Continues Budget Testimony; Interstate Telehealth in Senate Health and Welfare; DMH Testifies on Wait Times in Emergency Departments [ED] in House Health Care; Joint Meeting of Senate Health and Welfare and House Health Care on Health Care Wait Times; Peer Credentialing and Respite in House Health Care; Mitigating the Opioid Crisis in Senate Health and Welfare; House Committee on Education Hears Testimony on Act 173; Save the Date! Vermont Disability Awareness Day
Legislative Update for March 30, 2022 – House Passes the FY23 Budget with 7% Rate Increase for Designated & Specialized Service Agencies; Senate Health and Welfare Hears Testimony on Medicaid Rates for Community-based Providers; Senate Committee on Health and Welfare Hears Testimony on Developmental Disabilities Bill H.720; Prior Authorization for Buprenorphine in House Human Services; Overview of Blueprint at House Health Care Committee; House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs Moves H.96 through the Final Stages; Save the Date! Vermont Disability Awareness Day
Legislative Update for March 23, 2022 – Agency Staff Tell their Stories to the Legislative Workers’ Caucus; Senate Health and Welfare Takes up H.153; House Human Services Considers H.711 on Opioid Overdose Response Services; House Human Services Returns to the DD bill; H 720 on the System of Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Bill Presented to the House; House Human Services Committee Receives Overview of Global Commitment 1115 Waiver Program; House Health Care Reviews S.285; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews S.285; Funding for Mental Health for Schools in Senate Education, March 16, 2022; Interstate Telehealth in Senate Health and Welfare, March 17, 2022; Senate Finance Approves Fee Structure Proposal for Peer Credentialing in S.195; Save the Date! Vermont Disability Awareness Day
Legislative Update for March 2, 2022 – Budget Adjustment Act Specifies funding for Community-Base Workforce; House Health Care Committee Hears Green Mountain Care Board Proposed Process for Health Reform; House Health Care Committee Develops Budget Recommendations; House Health Care Recommendations to the House Commerce and Economic Development; House Human Services Committee FY’23 Budget Recommendations; Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs; Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL); House Corrections and Institutions Recommendations for the FY23 Budget; House Committee on Human Services Walk-through of DS System Bill; Health Care Flexibilities Bill Passes the Full Legislature; Senate Health and Welfare Bill to Expand Blueprint for Health and Community-Based Services; House Human Services on Opioid Advisory Committee & Management of Abatement Fund; House General, Housing and Military Discussion of H.96 Truth and Reconciliation Bill; Vermont Care Partners Provides information on S.197; House Appropriations has Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) Deputy Director Sarah Clark Review General Funds
Legislative Update for February 22, 2022 – House Health Care Committee Discusses FY23 Budget Recommendations; Pathways Requests Expansion at House Health Care; House Corrections and Institutions Determines Investment of Justice Reinvestment Savings; House Human Services Consider Committee Bill on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Parents from Developmental Disabilities Community Testify to House Committee on Human Services; Green Mountain Self Advocates (GMSA) testifies to House Human Services Committee; House Human Services Committee Hears More testimony about Yellow House in Middlebury; House Health Care Considers Hospital Sustainability and Proposal by Green Mountain Care Board; Health Equity Report Presented to House and Senate Health Committees; Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) budget Reviewed at Senate Appropriations; Healthcare Flexibility Bill in Senate Health and Welfare February 16, 2022; Suicide Prevention in House Health Care Committee; Senate Health and Welfare Hears from Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) on Peer Certification; Peer Respite, Peer Certification, and Services for Students in Senate Health and Welfare; ESSR Funds to Afterschool Programs in Grants from DMH in Senate Health and Welfare; House Human Services Committee Plans to Develop Legislation on Opioids; Advocacy Events
Legislative Update for February 15, 2022 – Senate Appropriations Hears Department of Mental Health (DMH) Budget Proposal for FY23; Green Mountain Care Board Shares Perspective on Health Care Sustainability; DMH Testifies at Senate Institutions on Services to People Discharged from Inpatient; Mental Health Advocacy Day at Senate Institutions; Update on Institutions on Mental Disease [IMD] in Senate Institutions; Health Care Flexibilities Overview in Senate Health and Welfare, February 9, 2021; Trauma Prevention and Resilience Development in House Human Services; Mental Health First Aid and S194, S195, and S197 at Senate Health and Welfare Committee; House Health Care Take Testimony on the Mental Health Workforce; House Corrections and Institutions Considers Justice Reinvestment Appropriation; Public Hearing on the FY23 Budget; House Health Care Listens to Workforce Issues; House Human Services Hears Testimony from Parent’s Group on Housing; House Human Services reviews DAIL Living System of Care (SOCP); Act 173 Testimony to the House Committee on Education; House Human Services Learns about Opioid Settlement; Advocacy Events
Legislative Update for February 8, 2022 – Senate Appropriation Committee Finalize Budget Adjustment Act; Agency of Human Services Provides Senate Appropriations Committee with FY23 Budget Overview; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews DAIL FY23 Budget Request ; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews ADAP FY23 Budget Request; House Health Care Continues Testimony on Mental Health Budget; House Human Services Receives Overview of Vermont Development Disabilities Act; Parents Share Experience with Developmental Disabilities System with the House Human Services; House Human Services Receives Overview of the Designated Agency (DA) I/DD Services; House Health Care Take Testimony of Mental Health Advocacy Day; Mental Health Advocacy Day Testimony at House Corrections and Institutions; Mental Health Advocacy Day and Mental Health Bills in Senate Health and Welfare; Mental Health Advocacy Day Testimony in House Education; DMH and Department of Buildings and General Services [BGS] Update on Secure Residential; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Learns about Choices for Care and the Blueprint for Health; House Human Services Receives Overview of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs FY23 Budget Request; House Education Committee Considers Act 173 Census Block Grant Funding; Rep. Wood Presents Bill to Exempt Students from Standardized Assessments in Public Schools; Advocacy Events
Legislative Update for February 1, 2022 – Sign up for Public Hearings on the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) Budget February 8th and 9th; Mental Health Advocacy Day January 31, 2022; The House Appropriations Committee Hears Testimony on Mental Health Budget for FY23; The House Appropriations Committee Hears Testimony on DAIL Budget for FY23; The House Appropriations Committee Hears Testimony on Department of Health Budget for FY23; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Reviews Budget Adjustment Act for FY22; Senate Appropriation Receives Administration’ Perspective on House Budget Adjustment Act; Commissioner Monica White Provides Overview and Proposed Budget to House Human Services; Interim AHS Secretary Jenney Samuelson Presents Proposed Budget to House Human Services; House Human Services Approves Extending COVID-19 Health Care Regulatory Flexibility; Developmental Disabilities Council Testifies on CMS Rules for Home and Community-Based Services; Mental Health Related Testimony in Senate Health and Welfare January 26; FY23 DMH Budget Presentation in House Health Care; Agency of Education (AOE) presents Act 173 implementation Update to House Education Committee; Senate Health and Welfare Review Committee Bill on Expanding Blueprint; Advocacy Events
Legislative Update for January 24, 2022 – The House of Representatives Passes the FY23 Budget Adjustment Act; Governor’s FY23 Budget Proposal; Human Services Secretary Samuelson Highlights FY23 Budget Proposal to House Appropriations; House Health Care Committees Move H. 654, the “Flexibilities Bill,” Forward; House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Committees Review Consultant Report; Senate Health and Welfare Continues Review of Taskforce on Accessible and Affordable Health Care; House Appropriations Receives Updates from Joint Fiscal Office and State Economist; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews Bills for Potential Consideration; The House Committees Hold Hearing for Homelessness Awareness Day
Legislative Update for January 18, 2022 – House Appropriations Committee’s Second Public Hearing on FY22 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA); House Human Services Discusses Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs (ADAP) and DAIL BAA; House Health Care Committee Deliberate Request for Budget Adjustment; Joint Fiscal Office Educates Appropriations on Workforce Investments and Discussion Ensues; House Appropriations Review Policy Committee Recommendation for BAA; Senate Appropriations Hears FY22 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) DAIL Commissioner White; Senate Health and Welfare and House Health Care Joint Hearing on COVID Flexibilities and Telehealth; Department of Mental Health (DMH) Testimony at Senate Appropriations on Budget Adjustment Act
Legislative Update for January 10, 2022 – House Appropriations Committee Holds Public Hearing on FY22 Budget Adjustment Act; House Appropriations Receives Overview of FY22 BAA from Finance Commissioner Greshin; House Appropriations Hears Budget Adjustment Act Proposal from the Agency of Human Services; Workforce Recruitment and Retention Initiatives; Joint Meeting of House Health Care and Commerce and Economic Development Committees; DAIL Testimony to House Committee on Human Services on Developmental Disabilities Services; AHS Presents DDSD American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds to House Human Services Committee; Mary Moulton Testifies on Workforce Crisis to House Committee on Human Services; Department of Mental Health (DMH) on Budget Adjustment at House Health Care; Vermont Care Partners Asks House Health Care Committee for $22.5 million investment in Workforce; DAIL Testifies to House Committee on Human Services on Budget Adjustment for Choices for Care; House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Joint Hearing Act 6 Flexibilities and Telehealth; Senate Judiciary and Senate Institutions Joint Hearing on DCF Plan for Placement of Youth; Deputy Commissioner Dougherty on Substance Use During Pandemic in House Human Services; Joint Hearing on the Pupil Weighting Taskforce Recommendations to Senate Education and Finance; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews Bills from First Half of the Biennium; Advocacy Events
Legislative Update for December 29, 2021 – Vermont Care Partners Legislative Agenda for 2022; Budget Adjustment Act Hearings; House Appropriations Committee Begins Hearing Testimony on the FY22 Budget Adjustment; Mental Health Advocacy Day – January 31, 2022; Legislative Advocacy Webinar – January 10, 2022; Homelessness Awareness Day – January 20, 2022
Legislative Update for December 14, 2021 – Legislators Receive Briefing on the Economic Outlook; House Appropriations Committee Begins Work on the FY22 Budget Adjustment; House Health Care Committee Prepares for the Upcoming Session with a Mental Health Update; Health Care Oversight Committee Hears Report on Health Care Regulation; Advocacy Events
2021 VCP Legislative Updates
2021 Legislative Committees by DA/SSA
2021 Legislative Wrap Up
Legislative Update for May 26, 2021 – A complete legislative wrap up of all legislation relevant to the Vermont Care Partners network will follow. This is update is focused only on the budget, S.3, J.R.6 and H.243.
FY22 Budget Passes the Legislature; House Human Services Committee Writes Letter to DAIL on Autism; S.3 Related to Competency to Stand Trial and Insanity as a Defense Passes on Last Day of Session; Senate Passes after Health and Welfare Considered J.R. 6 on Racism as a Public Health Emergency
Legislative Update for May 18, 2021 – Conference Committee on the FY22 Appropriations Bill Negotiations Moves Quickly; Senate Education Passes S.16 on Creating a Taskforce on Exclusionary Discipline Reform; Testimony from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in House Human Services; House Approves JR.6 Declaring Racism a Public Health Emergency; S.3 on Competency and Sanity Approved by Full House After Review by Appropriations Committee; Senate Government Operations Committee Recommends Eugenics Resolution with Amendment; House Health Care Continues focus on Children Waiting in Emergency Departments; May is Mental Health Month
Legislative Update for May 11, 2021 – Conference Committee on the FY22 Appropriations Bill Commences Today; Policy Language in the Appropriations Bill – Use of Restraints – Taskforce on Affordable, Accessible Health Care; House Human Services Approves Joint Resolution on Racism as a Public Health Emergency; House Health and Human Services Committee Hear Administration Proposal on Emergency Housing; Children and Youth Waiting in Emergency Departments in House Health Care; H.225 Removing Criminal Penalties for Possession of Small Amounts of Buprenorphine; House Human Services Continues H.243 on a Working Group on Services for Adults with Autism; S.3 on Competency and Sanity Ready for Full House Approval
Legislative Update for May 4, 2021 – Full Senate Approves FY23 Budget Proposal; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Approves S.120; Bill Updates in House Health Care; Bill H.225 on Decriminalizing Small Amounts of Buprenorphine in the Senate for Consideration; House Human Services Review Bill of Working Group on Services to Adults with Autism; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Approves H.210 with Improvements; House Health Care Committee Learns about Global Commitment Waiver; House Health Care Learns more about OneCare Vermont; Senate Judiciary Committee Completes S.3 on Competency and Insanity
Legislative Update for April 27, 2021 – Senate Appropriations Committee Finalizes FY22 Budget Proposal;Senate Health and Welfare Makes Recommendation of the Budget; Highlights of Final Work by Senate Health and Welfare on Health Reform Bills S.120 and S.132; Senate Health and Welfare Take Further Testimony and Finalizes Health Equities Bill H.210; House Health Care Studies Children Waiting in Emergency Departments; Medicaid 101 and Global Commitment in House Appropriations (link); Facilitation of Interstate Practice Using Telehealth Workgroup in Senate Health and Welfare; Senate Government Operations Committee Considers Eugenics Resolution
Legislative Update for April 20, 2021 – Appropriations Bill Heading into the Final Stretch; H.315 the Quick One-time Bill Becomes Law; House Committees Continue Consideration of S.3; Senate Health and Welfare Continues Work on Health Reform; S.16 on Exclusionary Discipline Reform in House Education Committee; Senate Health and Welfare and Judiciary Committees Study Residential Care for Youth; Mental Health Related Topics in Senate Health and Welfare – Friday April 16, 2021; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews Miscellaneous Mental Health Bill; H.210 on Health Equity
Legislative Update for April 14, 2021 – H.315 the Quick One-time Bill Passes the Full Legislature; Senate Health and Welfare Hears Proposal on Secure Residential; House Judiciary Committee Continues Testimony on S.3; Senate Health and Welfare Learns about All Payer Model Improvement Plan; Senator Health and Welfare Considers Health Reform Options; Joint Resolution Related to Racism as a Public Health Emergency by House Human Services; House Human Services Committee Passes H.225; House Education Hears Testimony on S16, Creating a Taskforce on Exclusionary Discipline Reform
Legislative Update for April 6, 2021 – ARPA; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews House Budget Bill with Joint Fiscal Office’s Stephanie Barrett; House Judiciary Committee Takes on S.3 on Competency and Insanity Defense; Senate Health and Welfare Takes up H.153 on Rates for Medicaid Community Based Services; Senate Health and Welfare Presents Report on Managing Health Expenditures; Senate Health and Welfare Hears from Representative Lippert on Health Equity Bill; House Education Committee Takes Testimony on School Exclusionary Discipline; Senate Health and Welfare heard testimony on H.104 on Interstate Telehealth; House Human Services Takes Up Decriminalizing Small Amounts of Buprenorphine with H225; H. 329 – Amending the Prohibitions Against Discrimination Reviewed by House General Committee
Legislative Update for March 30, 2021 – Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget Bill Passes House of Representatives; H.153 Passes the House as Amended by the House Appropriations Committee; H.315 Quick One-Time Bill Passed by Full Legislature; Steve Klein Provides Senate Health and Welfare with Overview of ARPA; H.438, The Capital Bill Passes House of Representatives; House General, Housing and Military Affairs Passes Resolution Offering Eugenics Apology; Senate Health and Welfare Hears update on All Payer Model (APM); H.210 Health Equity Bill Passes House of Representatives; S.117 Health Care Flexibilities Bill Ready for Governor’s Signature; Senate Passes S.3
Legislative Update for March 23, 2021 – House Appropriations Committee Completes Work on FY22 Budget Bill; House Appropriations Adjusts Medicaid Rate Review for Community-based Providers; Senate Passes H.315 Quick One-Time Appropriations Bill; Administration’s Response to Senate on H.315; Substance Use Disorder System of Care Redesign Reviewed by House Human Services; Corrections and Institutions Considers Proposal for Secure Residential; House Health Care Completes Testimony on Secure Residential Residence; Senate Institutions Committee Receives Testimony on Secure Residential Residence; Regulatory Flexibilities Bill is Reviewed by House Health Care Committee; Senate Judiciary Committee Continues Consideration of S.3; House General, Housing and Military Affairs Continues Work on Eugenics with JRH2; Disability Advocacy Day Legislative Panel
Legislative Update for March 17, 2021 – Briefing on Federal Relief Funding; House Appropriations Committee Marks Up the FY22 Budget; House Human Services Addresses Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Community-based Providers; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews H.315 – One-time Bill; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews One-time Bill H.315; House Health Care Committee Listens to Proposal for New Expanded Secure Residential Facility; Senate Judiciary Committee Finalizes S.3 on Competency to Stand Trial and Insanity Defense; House Health Care Committee Hears More Testimony on H.210 the Racial Disparities Bill; House Health Care Committee Passes Bill on Interstate Practice of Telehealth; Senate Addresses Regulatory Flexibilities; House General, Housing and Military Affairs Considers Eugenics Apology and Next Steps to Address It
Legislative Update for March 3, 2021 – House Health Care Committee Recommendations to the Appropriations Committee; House Human Services Reviews Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Community-based Services; Mental Health Commissioner Squirrell Presents Residential Needs to House Health Care Committee; House Committee on Corrections and Institutions on Sequential Intercept; Senate Health and Welfare Looks at Audio-Only; House Health Care Committee Considers Legislative Priorities; House Health Consider H.104 to Allow use of Telemedicine Across State Lines for Mental Health Care; Representative Donahue Introduces H.46 to Expand Reporting on Involuntary Mental Health Procedures; House Health Care Testimony on Health Disparities and H.210 the Health Equity Bill
Legislative Update for February 24, 2021 – House Human Service Committee FY22 Budget Requests; House Health Care Committee Receives Testimony on One-time investments from DMH Commissioner; House Health Care Budget Discussion; The House Appropriations Adopts Recommendations of Health Care Committee for One-time Funding; Senate Appropriations Committee Hears Further Testimony from Department of Mental Health; Senate Health and Welfare on Audio-Only; House Health Care Committee Accepts Testimony on Health Equity Bill
Legislative Update for February 16, 2021 – Department of Mental Health Budget Presented to Senate Appropriations and House Health Care; Senate Health and Welfare Receives Update on Federal COVID Funds; Disability Rights Vermont Testifies in House Health Care Committee; House Health Care Learns about Health Care Disparities; House Health Care Considers Bill to Address Health Care Disparities; House Health Care Committee Discusses FY22 Budget; Extending COVID-19 Flexibilities, including Audio-Only Care ; School Discipline Advisory Council; House Human Services Committee Walks through Bill on Involuntary Sterilization; What’s happening next: Recovery Day February 17, 2021; VHCC Legislative Kick off February 17, 2021
Legislative Update for February 10, 2021 – Mental Health Advocacy Day – A Virtual Success; House Human Services Receives Overview of Agency of Human Services Budget Request; Department of Disabilities Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) Budget Request ; House Appropriations Committee Hears Mental Health Budget; Department of Children and Families (DCF) Budget Testimony to House Appropriations Committee; Vermont Care Partners Provides Overview of DA/SSAs to House Health Care Committee; Senate Institutions Committee Accepts Mental Health Advocacy Day Testimony; House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Listen to Testimony on Extending Flexibilities; House Health Care Learns about Mental Health; Audio-Only Care in House Health Care; Senate Health and Welfare on Continuing COVID-19 Flexibilities; Joint Hearing of Senate Judiciary and House Human Services: Roundtable Discussion on “Aggressive Behavior of Juveniles/Danger to Staff” ; Senate Health and Welfare Take Testimony in Honor of Mental Health Advocacy Day; Justice Reinvestment II Report Presented to Multiple Committees; Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs take Mental Health Advocacy Day Testimony
Legislative Update for February 2, 2021 – Senate Health and Welfare Hears Overviews from Health Care Providers; House Appropriations Committee Hears Agency of Human Services Budget Overview; House Appropriations Committee Hears DAIL Budget Overview; Senate Health and Welfare Hears Overview of Health Reform; House Health Care Committee Studies Health Reform; Woodside Update 1/26/2021 in Senate Judiciary ;Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Discussed in House Human Services; Audio-Only Care in House Health Care 1/26/21 and 1/29/21; Homelessness Awareness Day 1/27/21; ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY – Public Hearing on the FY22 Budget; Information on Your Senators and Representatives; Action Circles Calendar
Legislative Update for January 25, 2021 – Senate Institutions Committee Receives Update on Mental Health Plans; House Human Services, House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Briefed on Federal Funds; House Appropriations Committee Reviews Revenue Forecast; Senate Health and Welfare Receives Overview from AHS Secretary Mike Smith; House Human Services Learns about Addiction; The Senate Extends Timeframe for CRF Appropriations; ADVOCACY EVENTS and INFORMATON
Legislative Update for January 19, 2021 – New Biennium; Pressures and Challenges of 2022 the Budget – Expect a State of Flux; House Appropriations Receives Overview of AHS CRF Expenditures; House and Senate Committees on Health and Human Services Learn about CRF; House Human Services Hears Introductory Remarks by AHS Secretary Mike Smith; Human Service Committee Review of Potential Legislation; Senate Judiciary Committee Plan to Return to Insanity and Competency Issues; Advocacy Events and Information (Mental Health Advocacy Day – Monday, February 1, 2021 / Vermont Virtual Homelessness Awareness Day and Vigil Wednesday, January 27, 2021); Information on Your Senators and Representatives; Action Circles Calendar
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2020 VCP Legislative Updates
Legislative Wrap Up for 2020:
Overview of Progress and Achievements
- FY21 Appropriations – Act 154 (H.969)
- Health Care and Human Services Appropriations from the Coronavirus Relief Fund Act 136 (H.965)
- CRF Resources for Broadband Connectivity, Housing, and Economic Relief Act 137 (H.966)
- Health Reform – Act 140 (S.160)
- Vermont’s Response to COVID-19 – Act 91 (H.742)
- Governmental Structures Protecting the Public Health, Safety and Welfare – Act 166 (S.124)
Summary of Budget and Policy Legislation
Appropriations
Budget Overview – Act 154 (H.969); Mental Health Budget Remains in DMH; Corona Virus Relief Funds (CRF); Mental Health and Public Safety; Woodside Juvenile Detention Facility
Policy Legislation
Health Care and Human Services Appropriations from the Coronavirus Relief Fund Act 136 (H.965); COVID-19 Funding and Assistance for Broadband Connectivity, Housing, and Economic Relief Act 137 (H.966); Miscellaneous Health Care Bill – Act 140 (H.960); Vermont’s Response to COVID-19 – Act 91 (H.742); Justice Reinvestment Act 148 (S.338); Governmental Structures Protecting the Public Health, Safety and Welfare – Act 166 (S.124); Workers Compensation and COVID Act 150 (S342)
2020 VCP Legislative Agenda
Fact Sheet Designated and Specialized Service Agencies
Fact Sheet Mental Health
Fact Sheet Developmental Services
3% Fact Sheet
Legislative Update for October 7, 2020 – Legislature Finalizes the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget – Budget Overview; Fiscal Year 2022 Pressures; Corona Virus Relief Funds (CRF); Mental Health Budget Remains in DMH; Mental Health and Public Safety; Justice Reinvestment; Woodside Juvenile Detention Facility / Other Legislation – S.124 Directs the Criminal Justice Council to Address Racism and Improve Mental Health Supports
Legislative Update for September 24, 2020 – Legislature Focuses on Finalizing the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews DAIL Budget; House Health Care Reviews Public Safety Proposal for Mental Health Workers in State Police Barracks; Senate Health and Welfare Considers Public Safety Proposal; House Health Care Committee Develops Budget Amendment for DPS Proposal; Senate Adjusts Woodside Proposal in the Budget; CRF for Designated and Specialized Service Agencies; House Appropriations Hears Commissioner Greshin’s Opinion on Senate Budget Bill; Senate Health and Welfare and House Health Care Joint Meeting on CRF; Senate Health and Welfare and Senate Appropriations Reviews OneCare Funding for Primary Care; Senate Finance Committee Addresses Broadband
Legislative Update for September 2, 2020 – Legislature Reconvenes with a Focus on Finalizing the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget; Scott Administration Proposes FY21 Budget Restatement with Few Changes; House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Committees Take Testimony on the FY21 Budget; Appropriations Committees Deliberates Budget and Takes Public Testimony; Department Budget Testimony – Department of Mental Health Overview; DAIL Budget Overview; DVHA Budget Overview; Department of Health Budget Overview; Joint Fiscal Oversight Committee Considers Woodside; House Health Care Committee Considers Mental Health Funding; Senate Committees Supportive of Embedded Workers at State Police Barracks; Senate Appropriations Considers Hazard Pay; Education
Legislative Update for July 1, 2020 – Legislative and Funding Overview; Legislature Approves First Quarter Appropriation Bill H.961; Senate Adjusts the House CRF Bill H.965 for Health and Human Services; Legislature Passes H.966 to fund Broadband, Housing and Economic Relief with CRF; Legislature Passes Miscellaneous Health Care Bill; Workers Compensation Legislation Passes Legislature; Secretary of Education Dan French Addresses How Schools Shall Reopen
Legislative Update for June 23, 2020 – House Passes CRF Bill for Health Providers H.965; Senate Health and Welfare Committee Begins Deliberation of CRF for Health Providers in H.965; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews the work of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on H.965; Senate Amends First Quarter of FY21 Budget with Plan for Mental Health Workers in State Trooper Barracks; Senate Judiciary Committee Take Testimony on S.219 Law Enforcement Bill; Senate Plans to Amend S.218 on the DMH 10-year Plan to an Act Establishing the Mental Health Integration Council; House of Representatives Passes H.966 CRF (corona virus relief fund) for Broadband, Connectivity and Housing; Senate Health and Welfare Amends Health Care Bill Further
Legislative Update for June 16, 2020 – House of Representatives Considers Appropriation of Corona Virus Relief Funds CRF; Vermont Care Partners Advocacy on CRF; House Appropriations Works Through CRF Appropriations Recommendations; House Appropriations Receives Proposal from House Health Care Committee; House Health Care Committee Recommendations on CRF to House Appropriations Committee; Broadband Discussed by Senate Finance; CRF to address Housing and Homelessness; Senate Health and Welfare Begins Consideration of CRF; Mental Health Commissioner Squirrell Presents to Senate Health and Welfare on Brattleboro Retreat; Senate Judiciary Committee Begins Work on Addressing Police Brutality Concerns; House Education Committee Learns about Success Beyond Six Challenges; Legislative Process for FY21
Legislative Update for June 8, 2020 – Legislative Process for Fiscal Decisions; CRF Appropriation Deliberations; House Health Care Committee Takes Testimony from the Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board; Coalition of Health Care Providers Make Recommendations to the House Health Care Committee on June 3rd ; Secretary Smith Testifies about the CRF to Human Service and Health Care Committees on June 3rd and 4th; House Health Care Committee Continues Deliberations of CRF Expenditures on June 5th;Brattleboro Retreat to Receive Additional Funding; Judiciary Committee
Legislative Update for June 2, 2020 – Opportunity for Further COVID-19 Funding; Health Care Providers Testify to the House Health Care Committee and Senate Health and Welfare Committee; Highlights of Information Presented to Appropriations Committees; Finance Commissioner Adam Greshin Presents FY21 First Quarter Skinny Bill to House Appropriations Committee; AHS CFO Sara Clark Presents to House Appropriations Committee; House Appropriations Committee Budget Discussions; Budget Adjustment Bill Ready for Governor Scott’s Signature; Telehealth Options Studied by Senate Health and Welfare; House Human Services Hears DCF testimony on Woodside and COVID Residential Programs
Legislative Update for May 19, 2020 – House Appropriation Receives Briefing on FY21 Budget Request; Updates of Federal Funding; Budget Adjustment Bill at Finish Line in the House; House Human Services Learns about the New Budget Adjustment Proposal for AHS; Senate Health and Welfare and House Health Care Committees Receive Budget Update from AHS; Senate Health and Welfare Considers Extension of COVID-19 Health Care Measures
Legislative Update for May 11, 2020 – Update of the New Fiscal Realities; Essential Employee Hazard Grant Program Gains Support; Health Committees Review Telehealth; House General, Housing and Military Affairs Addresses Homelessness; Senate Health and Welfare Develops Legislation to Plan for After the Pandemic is Past the Disaster Stage; Senate Caucus
Legislative Update for April 28, 2020 – The Legislature Makes Adjustments in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic; Update of the New Fiscal Realities; Joint Fiscal Committee Adopts Conditions for the Acceptance of the Coronavirus Relief Funds to Vermont; Special Education Discussed by House Education Committee; Children’s Integrated Services
Legislative Update for April 17, 2020 – The Legislature Makes Adjustments to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic; Act 95 Addresses COVID-19; Legislature Explores New Financial Realities; House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Hear from Secretary Smith on Response to Covid-19; DMH Testimony at House Health Care on March 27th; Senate Health and Welfare Returns to S.290; House Health Care Committee House Education Hears Testimony from Four School Superintendents; House Education Hears Testimony on School Mental Health; AOE Special Ed Guidance; Justice Reinvestment Bill Continues Moving Forward
Legislative Update for March 6, 2020 – House Appropriations Committee Deliberates the FY21 Budget Recommendations; Senate Health and Welfare Returns to Rutland Mobile Response Bill; Justice Reinvestment Bill Passes the Senate; S.183 on Insanity and Competency Ready for Passage by the Senate
Legislative Update for February 25, 2020 – Senate Health and Welfare Hears Vermont Care Partners Request for Financial Review; House Appropriations Committee Takes Testimony from Human Service Advocates; House Health Care Budget letter; House Human Services Committee Budget Letter; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews S.302 Mobile Response Bill; Senate Judiciary Committee at the Finish line with S.183 on Insanity and Competency; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews S.183 on Insanity and Competency Legal Issues; Senate Appropriations Committee Reviews Justice Reinvestment Bill S.388; Senate Judiciary Considers Closure of Woodside; House Human Services Studies Woodside; Senate Health and Welfare Hears Vision 2030 Report Presented by Mental Health Commissioner
Legislative Update for February 18, 2020 – House Appropriations Committee Discusses Public Hearing Testimony; Senate Appropriations Hears Budget Testimony on Mental Health; House Health Care Hears about Department of Mental Health (DMH) Performance Measures; Senate Judiciary Committee Continues to Study Insanity and Incompetency Legislation; House Health Care Committee Learns about the Mental Health Residential Continuum; House Health Care Studies Suicide; Board of Education & Agency of Education Rule Making Authority Under Study; Budget Adjustment Bill, H.760, Nears Finish Line with House and Senate Amendments
Legislative Update for February 10, 2020 – House Committee on Appropriations Hears Mental Health Budget Proposal for FY20; Mental Health Budget Presented to House Health Care Committee; Senate Judiciary Committee Finalizes the Justice Reinvestment Bill; Senate Appropriations Committee Hears Health Department Budget Proposal; Senate Health and Welfare Takes First Testimony on S.302 Mobile Response for Youth in Rutland; New version of S.183 Taken up by Senate Judiciary Committee; S. 290 on Health Care Reform Implementation Reviewed by Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Legislative Update for February 4, 2020 – Save The Dates; Mental Health Advocacy Day Make a Strong Statement of Support for Community Mental Health; House Human Services Takes a full Morning of Testimony on Mental Health; Senate Institutions Learns about Intensive Residential Recovery Proposal; House Human Services Learns about experiences with Developmental Disability and Substance Use; House General, Housing and Military Affairs Learns about the Experience of Homelessness; Senate Judiciary Begins Work on Justice Reinvestment Bill; Human Services Secretary Mike Smith Presents FY21 Budget to House Appropriation Committee; AHS Budget Highlights: Initiatives (base funding will annualize, one time funding will not); Two Committees look at Use of Force by Law Enforcement; House Appropriations Committee Hears Department of Children and Families FY21 Budget Proposal; House Health Care Committee Receives Update on Secure Residential Development
Legislative Update for January 27, 2020 – Save the Dates; Governor Scott’s Budget Address; Senate Judiciary Committee Continues Testimony on Insanity Plea; House Health Care Learns about Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs);Council of State Government Presents Justice Reinvestment II; House Human Services Hears OneCare Overview
Legislative Update for January 21, 2020 – House Human Services Learns about Developmental Disability Services; Senate Judiciary Committee Begins Study of Insanity Defense as Proposed in S.183; House Corrections and Institutions Studies Woodside; GMCB Reviews their Analysis of the Brattleboro Retreat Finances at House Health Care; House Appropriations and Health Care Committee Learns about All Payer Model; House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Jointly Receive Testimony from OneCare; Senate Health and Welfare Hears Rural Health Task Force Report; Senate Institutions Gets Update on Secure Residential facility; State Revenue Forecast increases by $44 Million
Legislative Update for January 13, 2020 – Save the Dates; House Corrections and Institutions Hears from Incoming Human Services Secretary Mike Smith; Mental Health Commissioner Squirrell Updates the House Corrections and Institutions Committee; AHS Secretary Smith Presents Budget Adjustment Request to Senate Appropriations Committee; Governor’s Scott Presents State of the State Speech; House Appropriations Hears Mental Health Overview on January 9th; Senate Education Committee Plans Revisions to State funding of Schools; Justice Reinvestment
Legislative Update for January 6, 2020 – Vermont Care Partners Legislative Agenda; Mental Health Advocacy Day and Advocacy Webinar; Budget Adjustment and Fiscal Issues; OneCare and Delivery System Reform Funding; Woodside Juvenile Detention Center Discussed at Justice Oversight; Save the Dates
Make Your Voice Heard! Mental Health Advocacy Day is January 29th Please join us at the State House on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 @ 8:00 a.m.
2019 Legislative Wrap Up
VCP Legislative Agenda 2019
2019 Legislative Updates
* 2019 Legislative Wrap Up
* Update for May 18, 2019
* Update for May 7, 2019
* Update for April 30, 2019
* Update for April 23, 2019
* Update for April 16, 2019
* Update for April 9, 2019
* Update for April 2, 2019
* Update for March 25, 2019
* Update for March 19, 2019
* Update for March 9, 2019
* Update for February 26, 2019
* Update for February 20, 2019
* Update for February 12, 2019
* Update for February 5, 2019
* Update for January 29, 2019
* Update for January 23, 2019
* Update for January 15, 2019
2018
2018 VCP Legislative Wrap Up
Legislative Update for March 7, 2018
· Upcoming Advocacy Events
· House Health Care Committee Issues Recommendations on Mental Health Funding
· House Appropriations Committee Deliberations
· Administration’s Concerns with House Committee of Education Special Education Bill
· Brattleboro Retreat Testifies at House Corrections and Institutions
· AHS Facilities Plan Receiving both Support and Scrutiny
· Vermont Senate and House Pass two different Gun Violence Protection Measures
· Trauma Bill is Teed up for Approval by the full Senate
· Study Bill on Orders of Non-Hospitalization Passes Senate and Lands in House Health Care Committee
· Senate Health and Welfare Committee Approves Universal Primary Care Study Bill
· Disability Awareness Day A Big Success
Legislative Update for February 26, 2018
- Upcoming Advocacy Events
- House Health Care Committee Takes a Deep Dive on Mental Health Funding
- Commissioner of Mental Health Melissa Bailey Highlights the Changes in the DMH Budget Request
- George Karabakakis Represents Views of HCRS and Vermont Care Partners to House Health
- ED Physician Dr. Mashkuri Adds Perspective
- Dr. Pierattini of UVMC speaks to the Demand for Inpatient and ED Care
- Wilda White of Vermont Psychiatric Survivors (VPS) Weighs In
- House Committee on Health Care Discussion
- Morning Fox Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health
- Julie Tessler of Vermont Care Partners Makes Final Plea for Support for Stage 2 Workforce Investment
- House Education Committee Passes Census Funding Bill
Legislative Update for February 20, 2018
- DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY AGENDA February 28, 2018
- House Human Services Sends Budget Priorities for House Appropriations Committee
- House Health Care Committee Receives feedback on the Budget from Mary Moulton
- Senate Health and Welfare Finalizes S.261 and S.203
- Senate Health and Welfare Hears about Suicide Prevention
- Con Hogan Warns Senate Institutions Committee against a Large DOC Campus Facility Plan
- Public Hearings on FY19 Budget
- House Education Hears from Superintendent of Washington Northeast Supervisory Union
Legislative Update for February 12, 2018
- Community-Based Public Hearings on the Governor’s Recommended FY2019 State Budget
- House Appropriations Committee Takes Testimony from DAIL Commissioner Hutt
- DAIL Commissioner Monica Hutt Gives DAIL Budget Request Update to House Human Services
- DMH Commissioner Melissa Bailey Presents to House Health Care
- ACO Presentation to House Health Care by Michael Costa and Ena Backus
- Susan Aronoff Raises Concerns about ACOs to House Health Care
- DVHAs Reaction on Universal Primary Care Bill
- Senate Health and Welfare Hears DMH Budget Overview from DMH
- Senate Health and Welfare S.203 Creates a Study Committee on Orders of Non-Hospitalization (ONH)
- House Education is working on version 7.1 of the Special Education Funding Bill
- Testimony by Dr. Mark Levine and Jolinda LaClair at House Human Services
Legislative Update for February 6, 2018
Community-Based Public Hearings on the Governor’s Recommended FY2019 State Budget; Mental Health Advocacy Day; Matt Habendank and Tiffany Moore Present to House Education Committee; Matt Habendank and Michael Curtis Present at Senate Education Committee; Elizabeth Sightler Educates House Human Services on Developmental Disabilities; Clay Gilberts Educates House Human Services Committee on Substance Use Disoarders; House Health Care Committee Hears Feedback of Governor’s Budget and Act 82 Report; Commissioner of Mental Health Presents to House Appropriations Committee; Commissioner of Health Presents to House Appropriations Committee; House Human Services Receives Agency of Human Services Budget Overview; Con Hogan Weighs in on the Facilities Plan to House Corrections and Institutions Committee; House Approves Budget Adjustment as Amended by the Senate; AHS Secretary Gobeille Runs Through AHS FY19 Budget Proposal for Senate Appropriations.
Legislative Update for January 29, 2018
Health Advocacy Day on Wednesday, January 31, 2018; House Appropriations Statewide Budget Hearings; Secretary Gobeille Gives Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Overview to House Appropriations; Hospital Association Reports Progress on Act 82; Senate Health and Welfare Continues to Hear Testimony on ACES Bill, S.261; Paul Dragon Reports on the Workforce Report required in Act 82; House Health Care Explores Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs); Senate Health and Welfare Reviews Facilities Report; House Education Continues testimony from Tammy Kolbe;
Legislative Update for January 24, 2018
Upcoming Advocacy Events; House Appropriations Statewide Budget Hearings; Governor Scott Presents his Proposal for the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Budget; Senate Health and Welfare Addresses Childhood Trauma in S.261; House Health Care Receives Overview of Medicaid ACO Pilot; Senate Health and Welfare Reviews Act 82 Reports; Senate Health and Welfare Discusses Budget Adjustment with Senator Kitchel, Chair of Appropriations
Legislative Update for January 18, 2018
Mental Health Advocacy Day; Advocacy Training; House Appropriations Committee Recommend Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Budget Adjustment; Senate Appropriations Starts Budget Adjustment Bill; Senate and House Education Committees Study Special Education; Senate Health and Welfare Consider Universal Primary Care S.53; House Corrections and Institution and House Health Care Committee hears AHS Facility Report
Legislative Update for January 5, 2018
Join in Mental Health Advocacy Day on Wednesday, January 31, 2018; Advocacy Training; House and Senate Health Care Committees will Collaborate on Mental Health; Budget Adjustment Act Highlights; Vermont Care Partners Workforce Report
Legislative Update for March 26, 2017
Investment in the Crisis Services in House Budget Bill; Senate Poised to Pass Bill to Improve Workforce Compensation, Crisis Services and Care Coordination; House Health Care Committee Gets an Update on Medicaid Pathway; Grenon Bill Passes the House of Representatives on the Anniversary of Phil Grennon’s Death; ACES Legislation Teed up for House Vote and the Senate has Already Taken Testimony; Duty to Warn; Offender with Mental Illness Legislation Passes the Senate; Independent Contractor Legislation