Bills of interest
Questions? Call Nick or email at DRVT: (802) 229-1355 nick@disabilityrightsvt.org
2011-12 Vermont Legislative Review- Bills Introduced- House
H 486 – An act relating to probate proceedings http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-486.pdf
Proposes to provide the probate court with the authority to: (1) transfer cases from probate court to family court; (2) create permanent guardianships; (3) revoke an advance directive if the agent engages in wrongful conduct; and (4) order mediation in probate proceedings
H 548 –An act relating to passing and yielding to vulnerable users
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-548.pdf
This bill proposes to require that operators of motor vehicles:(1) pass vulnerable users at specified distances depending on the operator’s speed; (2) refrain from driving to the left side of the center of a roadway to pass a vehicle or vulnerable user unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic and vulnerable users for a sufficient distance to permit safe overtaking and passing, and unless passing can be accomplished without interfering with the operation of any vehicle or with any vulnerable user; and (3) yield to vulnerable users when turning.
H 498 An act relating to parity for primary mental health care service
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-498.pdf
This bill proposes to require health insurers to impose equal cost-sharing for mental health care services and other primary health care services
H 500 An act relating to the health access oversight committee http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-500.pdf
This bill proposes to expand the scope of the charge to the health access oversight committee
H 462 - An act relating to authorizing hunting licenses for persons with a visual
Limitation.
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-462.pdf
This bill proposes to authorize the issuance of a hunting license to a person with a visual limitation. The bill would also provide that a person with a visual limitation who qualifies for a hunting license shall be eligible to receive a free combination hunting and fishing license.
H 492 - Hearing Aid Coverage
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0492&Session=2012 This bill proposes to require health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids and to direct the Green Mountain Care board to consider including coverage for hearing aids as part of Green Mountain Care.
H 477 – An act relating to compensability of mental injuries under the workers’
compensation statute
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-477.pdf
This bill proposes to assure that a mental injury suffered in the course of employment is compensable as if it were a physical injury.
H 426 AN ACT RELATING TO EXTENDING THE STATE'S REPORTING CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN STATE CUSTODY AND TRANSPORTATION OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF MENTAL HEALTH
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-426.pdf
An act relating to extending the state's reporting concerning transportation of children in state custody and transportation of individuals in the custody of the commissioner of mental health.
H 413 AN ACT RELATING TO CREATING A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST THOSE WHO ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR EXPLOIT A VULNERABLE ADULT
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-413.pdf
An act relating to creating a civil action against those who abuse, neglect, or exploit a vulnerable adult.
H 400 AN ACT RELATING TO THE REPEAL OF CHAPTERS 179, 181, 183, AND 185 OF TITLE 18 AND ENACTMENT OF A NEW CHAPTER 180, RELATING TO HOSPITALIZATION AND TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-400.pdf
An act relating to the repeal of chapters 179, 181, 183, and 185 of Title 1811and enactment of a new chapter 180, relating to hospitalization and treatment of persons with mental illness.
H 313 AN ACT RELATING TO PATIENT SAFETY
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-313.pdf
This bill proposes to improve patient safety by requiring hospitals and nursing home facilities to establish a safe patient handling program and by prohibiting mandatory overtime for certain health care employees.
H 290 AN ACT RELATING TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-290.pdf
This bill proposes to require the secretary of human services to adopt rules governing the implementation of the statutory responsibilities of the department of disabilities, aging, and independent living, division of licensing and protection, with respect to adult protective services.
H 265 AN ACT RELATING TO ASSAULT OF A HEALTH CARE WORKER
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-265.pdf
This bill proposes to enhance the penalties for assault of a health care worker.
H 236 AN ACT RELATING TO LIMITATION OF PROSECUTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A VULNERABLE ADULT
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-236.pdf
This bill proposes to change from three years to six years the statute of limitations period for a prosecution for sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult.
H 235 AN ACT RELATING TO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-235.pdf
This bill proposes to authorize the commissioner of disabilities, aging, and independent living to award grants to persons with disabilities for the purpose of providing financial assistance for expenses related to making a motor vehicle wheelchair-accessible.
H 215: AN ACT RELATING TO PROVIDING HEALTH CARE SERVICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-215.pdf
This bill proposes to require the department of corrections to conduct a feasibility study and cost-savings analysis for creating a system to provide comprehensive health care services to inmates housed within the state and eliminate the need to contract out for these services.
H 205 - AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-205.pdf
This bill proposes to provide additional protections for psychiatric patients requiring transportation with physical restraints.
H 204 AN ACT RELATING TO PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTS IN SCHOOLS, REDUCING THE USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINT, AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF OTHER BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-204.pdf
This bill proposes to promote positive behavioral intervention and supports in schools, reduce the use of physical restraint, and prohibit the use of mechanical, chemical, and prone physical restraint and seclusion as methods of addressing challenging student behavior.
H 203 AN ACT RELATING TO PROBABLE CAUSE HEARINGS FOR MENTAL HEALTH ADMISSIONS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-203.pdf
This bill proposes to require a probable cause hearing after a person is admitted to a hospital involuntarily as a person in need of mental health treatment.
H 198 AN ACT RELATING TO A TRANSPORTATION POLICY TO ACCOMMODATE ALL USERS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-198.pdf
Proposes to modify Vermont's transportation policy to require that the needs of all users of Vermont's transportation system—including motorists, bicyclists, public transportation users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities—be considered and accommodated in state and locally managed transportation projects.
H 180 AN ACT RELATING TO AUTHORIZING MOTOR VEHICLE USE ON STATE LANDS FOR HUNTING BY SENIOR CITIZENS OR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-180.pdf
This bill proposes to allow the use of motor vehicles on state forest or park roads in order to allow hunting or fishing by a person who is 65 years of age or older or who has a handicap or disability.
H 179 AN ACT RELATING TO REQUIRING THE STATE TO PAY FOR 100 PERCENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPENDITURES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-179.pdf
Proposes to require that 100 percent of special education expenditures be paid at the state level from the education fund.
H 129 AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-129.pdf
This bill proposes to allow an advanced practice registered nurse to participate in the admission and examination of an individual for mental health treatment.
H 82 AN ACT RELATING TO A VERMONT HOSPITAL SECURITY PLAN
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-082.pdf
This bill would provide access to and coverage for health services provided in hospitals. It would establish a global hospital budget for the state and an individual hospital budget for each hospital in the state and create a Vermont hospital security trust fund from which a negotiated payment would be made to each hospital for health services provided. The bill would require health insurers to disclose to the department of banking,insurance, securities, and health care administration the rates they negotiate with providers and would direct the department to post the information on its website. It would make medical malpractice claims subject to arbitration, establish a loan repayment program for primary care providers and for health professionals practicing exclusively in Vermont hospitals, and direct the secretary of human services to seek waivers and exemptions from federal law as necessary to implement the Vermont hospital security plan
H 79 AN ACT RELATING TO UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-079.pdf
This bill proposes to enact the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act in Vermont. The act establishes which state has jurisdiction to make the initial guardianship decision, provides for transfer of guardianship cases between jurisdictions, and allows recognition of an out-of-state guardian's authority to deal with issues in the state on a limited basis.
H 59 An act relating to unfair housing practices
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-059.pdf
Proposes to prohibit discrimination in land use decisions or the permitting of developments because a proposed development contains affordable housing units.
H 46 AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH ATHLETES WITH CONCUSSIONS PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H.0046&Session=2012
This bill proposes to ensure that a youth athlete suffering or suspected to be suffering from a concussion or other head injury does not participate in school athletic activities until the student has received an examination by and written permission to participate from a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and other head injuries
H 39 AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR SERVICE MEMBERS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-039.pdf
Proposes to recognize a U.S. Department of Defense document as an acceptable advance directive for service members
H 37 COVERAGE FOR TELEMEDICINE SERVICE
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-037.pdf
Proposes to require all health plans, including Medicaid, to cover telemedicine services
H 7 AN ACT RELATING TO APPOINTMENTS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-007.pdf
This bill proposes to require that the mental health oversight committee be composed of members from both chambers and that appointments be made by the standing committees having jurisdiction over mental health legislation.
H 4 AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-004.pdf
This bill proposes to clarify the definitions of inpatient and residential hospitalization for the purpose of mental health hospital admissions and require that a clinical determination of the need for either inpatient or residential hospitalization occur prior to admission
H 3 AN ACT RELATING TO PROHIBITING USE OF TASERS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED TRAINING FOR INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-003.pdf
This bill prohibits a law enforcement officer from carrying or using an electronic control device, commonly known as a Taser, until the officer has completed the Vermont criminal justice training council's "Act 80" training for interacting with people experiencing a mental health crisis
H 1. AN ACT RELATING TO CHALLENGES FOR CHANGE OUTCOMES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/H-001.pdf
This bill proposes to amend the challenges for change agency of human services outcomes so that an outcome that applies to elders and families will also apply to persons with disabilities, mental health needs, or substance abuse issues
2011-12 Vermont Legislative Review- Bills Introduced- Senate
S 223 An act relating to extending health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-223.pdf
This bill proposes to require health insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in individuals six years of age and above
S 136- An act relating to vocational rehabilitation
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-136.pdf
This bill proposes to require the department of labor to contact a vocational rehabilitation counselor affirming the approval of a vocational rehabilitation plan within seven days after the plan has been
Approved.
S 162 - An act relating to powers of attorney http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-162.pdf
This bill proposes to clarify that a general power of attorney may grant powers that are not expressly stated in the terms of the power of attorney if the relevant facts and circumstances indicate that the principal intended the agent to have general authority to act on the principal’s behalf
S 216 - An act relating to separate entities within home health agencies
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-216.pdf
Proposes to narrow the definition of home health services to include only medically necessary services. It also directs the department of disabilities, aging, and independent living to exempt separate entities from both Medicare’s conditions of participation and those rules adopted by the department that apply to home health services.
S 103 AN ACT RELATING TO PATIENT CHOICE AND CONTROL AT END OF LIFE
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-103.pdf
This bill proposes to allow, subject to appropriate safeguards, a mentally competent person diagnosed as having less than six months to live to request a prescription which, if taken, would hasten the dying process.
S.100 AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO EDUCATION LAWS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-100.pdf
This bill proposes to make miscellaneous amendments to education law with some notable changes to the special education language.
S. 90 AN ACT RELATING TO RESPECTFUL LANGUAGE IN STATE STATUTES IN REFERRING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-090.pdf
Proposes to require the agency of human services to conduct a study to analyze Vermont statutes referring to people with disabilities and to make recommendations regarding the use of more respectful language when referring to people with disabilities.
S. 88 AN ACT RELATING TO INVOLUNTARY MEDICATION
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-088.pdf
This bill proposes to make hearings for involuntary hospitalization and medication concurrent, broaden who can petition for involuntary medication, and ensure involuntary medication can occur at hospitals other than the Vermont State Hospital.
S. 70 AN ACT RELATING TO HOSPITAL AND HOME HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-070.pdf
This bill proposes to support Medicaid payments to hospitals and home health agencies by creating transparency on the collaboration of the provider assessment and distribution of proceeds from the collection of the provider assessment.
S. 66 AN ACT RELATING TO ASSAULT OF A HEALTH CARE WORKER
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-066.pdf
This bill proposes to enhance the penalties for assault of a health care worker.
S 30 AN ACT RELATING TO ENHANCING THE PENALTY FOR ASSAULT OF A NURSE
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-030.pdf
This bill proposes to increase the penalty for assault of a nurse so that the offense is always a felony rather than a misdemeanor
S 19 AN ACT RELATING TO INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-019.pdf
This bill proposes to increase the property tax exemption for disabled veterans from $10,000.00 to $40,000.00
S.17 AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-017.pdf
Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to permit the establishment of two nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries in the state for the purpose of providing medical marijuana for symptom relief to registered patients who have a debilitating medical condition. The dispensaries will be licensed and regulated by the department of public safety
S.12 AN ACT RELATING TO ADDING A MEMBER FROM THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING TO THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-012.pdf
This bill proposes to add a member from the area agencies on aging to the governor's commission on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
S.4 AN ACT RELATING TO EXPANDING THE REVIEW POWER OF THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/bills/Intro/S-004.pdf
This bill proposes to expand the power of the secretary of the agency of human services to review and, when called for, modify or reverse human services board decisions
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