Title: An Act Relating to Coverage for Fertility Treatment and Gender-Affirming Health Care Services

Intent: This bill expands access to health insurance coverage for gender-affirming care and fertility treatments, ensuring inclusivity and access to necessary health care for Vermonters.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on Health Care

Status: Scheduled for introduction.

How You Can Help: Advocate for the bill by emphasizing its benefits for Vermonters who face barriers to essential health services. Share personal experiences or stories to support this effort.

Title: An Act Relating to Adding New Positions to the Human Rights Commission

Intent: This bill seeks to increase funding and positions for the Vermont Human Rights Commission. The HRC is the only means by which discrimination claims in housing and places of public accommodation can be investigated in Vermont, and it also has the authority to enforce compliance with Vermont’s anti-discrimination protections in court. In the past week, we have learned that HUD will not be enforcing federal fair housing protections as they apply to gender identity, and EEOC will no longer accept employment claims based on gender identity. State law enforcement is more important than ever. The HRC is not currently able to meet the needs of the Vermonters who seek their assistance due to limited staffing.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on General and Housing

Status: Read first time and referred to the Committee

How You Can Help: Share personal stories of discrimination in employment or housing based on gender identity, or the importance of enforcing VT’s anti-discrimination protections.

Title: An Act Relating to Establishing an Essential Medication Stockpile for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care

Intent: This bill requires the Department of Health to maintain a stockpile of essential medications to ensure uninterrupted access to reproductive and gender-affirming care during emergencies.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on Health Care

Status: Scheduled for introduction.

Cosponsors: The Committee Chair has cosponsored this bill, reflecting strong committee leadership support.

How You Can Help: Share stories about the challenges caused by medication shortages. Encourage committee members to prioritize this bill to protect vulnerable populations.

Title: An Act Relating to Confirmatory Adoptions

Intent: This bill establishes a simplified process for confirmatory adoptions for parents who conceived children through assisted reproduction, ensuring legal parentage recognition without unnecessary hurdles.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on Judiciary

Status: Read first time and referred to the Committee.

Cosponsors: Includes the Judiciary Committee Chair and influential members, signaling strong internal support.

How You Can Help: Highlight the importance of legal protections for families formed through assisted reproduction. Contact committee members to encourage action on this bill.

Title: An Act Relating to Expanding Employee Access to Unpaid Leave

Intent: This bill expands access to unpaid family and medical leave, including protections for domestic violence survivors, LGBTQ+ caregiving needs, and other qualifying reasons.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on General and Housing

Status: Introduced on January 22. The committee has heard testimony and shown strong interest in moving it forward.

Cosponsors: Many committee members are engaged and supportive.

How You Can Help: Share personal stories about the importance of unpaid leave access for families in Vermont. Advocate for advancing this bill by contacting committee members.

Title: An Act Relating to Counteracting Federal Discriminatory Mandates

Intent: This bill ensures public schools can adopt inclusive policies aligned with Vermont standards and protects schools from implementing discriminatory federal mandates.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on Education

Status: Currently not prioritized due to the committee’s focus on education funding.

How You Can Help: Emphasize the importance of inclusive education policies by sharing examples of their positive impacts on students and communities.

Title: An Act Relating to Requiring Legislative Approval Prior to Entering into Certain Immigration Agreements

Intent: This bill requires the Governor to obtain legislative approval before entering agreements under specific federal statutes related to immigration enforcement, ensuring state oversight and alignment with Vermont’s values.

Committee Assigned: House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

Status: Awaiting introduction to the committee. A companion bill will be introduced in the Senate.

How You Can Help: Share personal stories about the importance of maintaining Vermont’s independence from federal immigration enforcement policies. Contact committee members to urge action on this bill.