2017 - 2018 Liaison Reports from Vermont State
House and Beyond
LGBTQIA Alliance of Vermont
Update from Liaisons: Brenda Churchill & Keith E Goslant
2017-2018 end of session overview
Date: 11th February 2018
Link to Legislative homepage: https://legislature.vermont.gov/
Bills the Week of 12th February 2018
Tuesday 02/13/2018:
House Gov. Ops.: 9:30am H.385 Jurisdiction of Human Rights Commission
House Corrections & Institutions: 2:15pm H.718 Restorative Justice
House Judiciary: After floor: H.728 Bail Reform
Senate Government Operations: 1:15pm Fair & Impartial Policing
Senate Government Operations: 1:45pm: S. 281 Racism Oversight Board
Wednesday 02/14/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 9am S. 53 Primary Care Network
Thursday: 02/15/2018:
House Judiciary: After floor: H.707 Prevention Sexual Harassment (Section 5)
Senate Health & Welfare: 9am S.53 Primary Care Network (Committee Mark-Up)
Senate Judiciary: 8:30am S.221 Extreme Risk (This is one of the firearms bills currently under review)
Action on Bills the Week of 5th February 2018
Tuesday 02/06/2018:
Full House H. 562: Parentage: 3rd reading, the final and substantive vote by full House. Bill passed the House on a recorded 141-1-7 (It was later noted the one negative vote was made in error. Rep. believed House was still responding to amendments & had left the floor so they were unable to correct vote.)
House Gov. Ops.: 11am H.385 Jurisdiction of Human Rights Commission
Senate Health & Welfare: 15 min after floor: S.175 Importation of Prescription Drugs; S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Press Conference: Statehouse: Cedar Creek Room: 10:30 am: H.794: Ethnic Studies Standards
Wednesday 02/07/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 10am: S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Thursday 02/08/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 11am: S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Friday 02/09/2018:
House Judiciary: 1pm H.820 Unauthorized Recording
Description of bills of interest:
H. 196 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Family Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that will provide employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave and that will be funded by contributions from employers and employees. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing family leave law to make it applicable to all employers, to clarify certain provisions.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H: 294: Subject: Labor; fair employment practices; wages
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit employers from requiring an applicant to disclose his or her salary and benefit history and from seeking an applicant’s salary history without his or her authorization.
S: 275: Subject: Labor; employment practices; fair employment practices; wage discrimination; wage history inquiries
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to expand the wage discrimination provisions 8 to include all protected classes, to define certain terms related to wage discrimination, and to prohibit employers from requesting an applicant’s salary history.
(7)(c)(1) For It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or person seeking employees to discriminate between employees on the basis of race, color, 14 religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or against a qualified individual with a disability, by paying wages paying compensation to employees an employee of one race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or to an employee who is a qualified individual with a disability, at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the other sex an employee of a different race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or who does not have that disability, for equal work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions. An employer who is paying wages paying compensation in violation of this section shall not reduce the wage rate compensation of any other employee in order to comply with this subsection.
2018 Session: Equal Pay is assigned to House General Housing Military Affairs & Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.333 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that any single-user toilet in public building or place of public accommodation be identified as gender-free
Lead Sponsors: Colburn of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg
Supporting: In this time of additional states replicating N.C.’s HB-2, passage of this bill would be a strong statement in support of VT’s transgender community.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H. 385: Subject: Commerce and trade; Human Rights Commission; jurisdiction
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission to include bullying
02/22/2017: Assigned to House Government Operations
H.422 Statement of purpose of the bill as introduced: this bill proposes to require a law enforcement officer to confiscate a dangerous or deadly weapon from a person who is arrested or cited for domestic assault if the weapon is (1) in the immediate possession or control of the person being arrested or cited; (2) in plain view of the officer; or (3) discovered during a consensual search.
Lead Sponsors: Grad of Moretown, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Head of South Burlington, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, and Townsend of South Burlington
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
From the Debate in the House:
Supporting: Victims’ advocates say the measure would get firearms out of the home at a time when statistics show domestic violence victims are at a heightened risk of serious injury from the abuser. This was identified as being the 5 days following incident/citation.
Opposing: Opponents say the bill goes too far, violating constitutional rights to bear arms and to due process.
From 2014 survey National Violence Against Women:
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
34.5% Lesbians versus 20.4% Straight Women
21.5% Gay Men versus 7.1% Straight Men
34.6% Transgender Community
From 2010/2013 survey CDC (Centers for Disease Control) *
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
Note: CDC included threat of “outing” as DV.
43.8% Lesbians
61.1% Bisexual Women
35% Straight Women
26% Gay Men
37.3% Bisexual Men
2.9% Straight Men
*Original survey data did not include gender identity or expression.
H.492 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Racial Justice Oversight Board to manage and oversee the implementation of racial justice reform across the State.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H. 562 Domestic Relations; Parentage (based on Study Committee formed via H.502)
Lead Sponsor: Maxine Grad/Moretown
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal Vermont’s parentage laws and replace them with a more comprehensive parentage title that includes de facto parentage, genetic parentage, parentage by assisted reproductive technology, and parentage by gestational carrier agreement. (Historical Perspective: H.502 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a committee to examine issues related to parentage when assisted reproductive technology such as sperm or egg donation or gestational surrogacy has been employed, as well as de facto parentage when a person without clear legal standing as a parent has assumed a role as such in a manner that it is in the best interest of the child for the person to be given standing as a parent. Bill passed both House and Senate last year.)
Passed House 02/06/2018: 141-1-7
02/08/2018: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H.794: An act relating to the adoption of ethnic studies standards into statewide educational standards and a policy on ethnic and social equity in schools by public schools and approved independent schools (LGBT is included as an Ethnic standard)
02/06/2018: Assigned to House Education
H.820: Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit photographing, filming, or recording a person at a peer support group without that person’s consent.
02/06/2018: Assigned to House Judiciary
H.880: An act relating to prohibiting the involuntary sterilization of individuals with an intellectual disability
02/06/2018: Assigned to House Human Services.
This issue was brought to the attention of Liaison during meeting with LGBTQ People with Disabilities Network. Our disability communities experience significantly higher rates of sexual abuse and exploitation.
S.40: Minimum wage $15 by 01/2022: This is the bill that is being actively discussed in Senate Economic Development
Note: 2018 Session: Both House and Senate Leadership have identified increasing the minimum wage as a Legislative priority.
While economic growth was included in Gov. Scott’s State of the State address, he did not specifically include minimum wage as a priority.
Senate Leadership has identified passage of Equal Pay as a Legislative priority.
02/08/2018: Voted out of Senate Economics 4-1 (Bill amended to $15 by 01/2024)
During the 2016 election Maine voted on Question 4/Citizen Initiative regarding a schedule to increase the minimum wage.
The initiative passed.
“The unfortunate reality is that biased attitudes and discrimination limit the economic opportunities available to many LGBT people; as a result, low-wage jobs and limited access to high-paying jobs contribute to disproportionate rates of poverty in our community.
The impact is staggering: recent studies have shown that LGBT couples raising children are twice as likely to live at the poverty line compared to non-LGBT parents, and transgender people are nearly four times as likely to have a household income under $10,000 per year compared to the population as a whole.
While our work to combat the bias and discrimination that perpetuate these disparities is ongoing, raising the minimum wage would make an immediate and significant difference for members of our community who are struggling.”
Historical Perspective: The VT bills specific to minimum wage.
All House bills have been assigned to General, Housing, and Military Affairs.
The Senate bill has been assigned to Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.
None of the bills have had any committee discussion
H.64: $11.66 as of 01/2018, $13.32 as of 01/2019, $15 as of 01/2020
H.93: $11.50 as of 01/2019, $12.50 as of 01/2020, $13.50 as of 01/2021, $15 as of 01/2022
H.302: $15 by 01/2026
H.313: Minimum and Tipped minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
H.428: Minimum wage includes Tipped wage
During the 2017 session: No committee discussion occurred in either the House or Senate.
S.53 Subject: Health; primary care; public financing
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a system of universal, publicly financed primary care for all Vermonters beginning in 2019.
Assigned to Senate Health & Welfare
S. 175: Health; prescription drugs; importation;
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a program to allow wholesale importation of prescription drugs from Canada into Vermont.
Assigned to Senate Health & Welfare
If a member of an Alliance organization wanted to contact their Representative/Senator regarding an issue that was of interest/importance to them:
(If you don't know who your rep is click here.)
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 802-828-2228 Ask to leave a message for your Representative or Senator Leave a short, polite message.
Suggest only one issue per message.
Send an e-mail to your Representative or Senator
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Send a letter to your Representative of Senator: Rep/Sen. XX, VT Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-5301
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Be sure to include your return address on outside of envelope
Link to Legislative homepage: https://legislature.vermont.gov/
Bills the Week of 12th February 2018
Tuesday 02/13/2018:
House Gov. Ops.: 9:30am H.385 Jurisdiction of Human Rights Commission
House Corrections & Institutions: 2:15pm H.718 Restorative Justice
House Judiciary: After floor: H.728 Bail Reform
Senate Government Operations: 1:15pm Fair & Impartial Policing
Senate Government Operations: 1:45pm: S. 281 Racism Oversight Board
Wednesday 02/14/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 9am S. 53 Primary Care Network
Thursday: 02/15/2018:
House Judiciary: After floor: H.707 Prevention Sexual Harassment (Section 5)
Senate Health & Welfare: 9am S.53 Primary Care Network (Committee Mark-Up)
Senate Judiciary: 8:30am S.221 Extreme Risk (This is one of the firearms bills currently under review)
Action on Bills the Week of 5th February 2018
Tuesday 02/06/2018:
Full House H. 562: Parentage: 3rd reading, the final and substantive vote by full House. Bill passed the House on a recorded 141-1-7 (It was later noted the one negative vote was made in error. Rep. believed House was still responding to amendments & had left the floor so they were unable to correct vote.)
House Gov. Ops.: 11am H.385 Jurisdiction of Human Rights Commission
Senate Health & Welfare: 15 min after floor: S.175 Importation of Prescription Drugs; S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Press Conference: Statehouse: Cedar Creek Room: 10:30 am: H.794: Ethnic Studies Standards
Wednesday 02/07/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 10am: S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Thursday 02/08/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 11am: S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Friday 02/09/2018:
House Judiciary: 1pm H.820 Unauthorized Recording
Description of bills of interest:
H. 196 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Family Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that will provide employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave and that will be funded by contributions from employers and employees. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing family leave law to make it applicable to all employers, to clarify certain provisions.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H: 294: Subject: Labor; fair employment practices; wages
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit employers from requiring an applicant to disclose his or her salary and benefit history and from seeking an applicant’s salary history without his or her authorization.
S: 275: Subject: Labor; employment practices; fair employment practices; wage discrimination; wage history inquiries
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to expand the wage discrimination provisions 8 to include all protected classes, to define certain terms related to wage discrimination, and to prohibit employers from requesting an applicant’s salary history.
(7)(c)(1) For It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or person seeking employees to discriminate between employees on the basis of race, color, 14 religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or against a qualified individual with a disability, by paying wages paying compensation to employees an employee of one race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or to an employee who is a qualified individual with a disability, at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the other sex an employee of a different race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or who does not have that disability, for equal work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions. An employer who is paying wages paying compensation in violation of this section shall not reduce the wage rate compensation of any other employee in order to comply with this subsection.
2018 Session: Equal Pay is assigned to House General Housing Military Affairs & Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.333 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that any single-user toilet in public building or place of public accommodation be identified as gender-free
Lead Sponsors: Colburn of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg
Supporting: In this time of additional states replicating N.C.’s HB-2, passage of this bill would be a strong statement in support of VT’s transgender community.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H. 385: Subject: Commerce and trade; Human Rights Commission; jurisdiction
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission to include bullying
02/22/2017: Assigned to House Government Operations
H.422 Statement of purpose of the bill as introduced: this bill proposes to require a law enforcement officer to confiscate a dangerous or deadly weapon from a person who is arrested or cited for domestic assault if the weapon is (1) in the immediate possession or control of the person being arrested or cited; (2) in plain view of the officer; or (3) discovered during a consensual search.
Lead Sponsors: Grad of Moretown, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Head of South Burlington, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, and Townsend of South Burlington
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
From the Debate in the House:
Supporting: Victims’ advocates say the measure would get firearms out of the home at a time when statistics show domestic violence victims are at a heightened risk of serious injury from the abuser. This was identified as being the 5 days following incident/citation.
Opposing: Opponents say the bill goes too far, violating constitutional rights to bear arms and to due process.
From 2014 survey National Violence Against Women:
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
34.5% Lesbians versus 20.4% Straight Women
21.5% Gay Men versus 7.1% Straight Men
34.6% Transgender Community
From 2010/2013 survey CDC (Centers for Disease Control) *
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
Note: CDC included threat of “outing” as DV.
43.8% Lesbians
61.1% Bisexual Women
35% Straight Women
26% Gay Men
37.3% Bisexual Men
2.9% Straight Men
*Original survey data did not include gender identity or expression.
H.492 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Racial Justice Oversight Board to manage and oversee the implementation of racial justice reform across the State.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H. 562 Domestic Relations; Parentage (based on Study Committee formed via H.502)
Lead Sponsor: Maxine Grad/Moretown
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal Vermont’s parentage laws and replace them with a more comprehensive parentage title that includes de facto parentage, genetic parentage, parentage by assisted reproductive technology, and parentage by gestational carrier agreement. (Historical Perspective: H.502 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a committee to examine issues related to parentage when assisted reproductive technology such as sperm or egg donation or gestational surrogacy has been employed, as well as de facto parentage when a person without clear legal standing as a parent has assumed a role as such in a manner that it is in the best interest of the child for the person to be given standing as a parent. Bill passed both House and Senate last year.)
Passed House 02/06/2018: 141-1-7
02/08/2018: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H.794: An act relating to the adoption of ethnic studies standards into statewide educational standards and a policy on ethnic and social equity in schools by public schools and approved independent schools (LGBT is included as an Ethnic standard)
02/06/2018: Assigned to House Education
H.820: Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit photographing, filming, or recording a person at a peer support group without that person’s consent.
02/06/2018: Assigned to House Judiciary
H.880: An act relating to prohibiting the involuntary sterilization of individuals with an intellectual disability
02/06/2018: Assigned to House Human Services.
This issue was brought to the attention of Liaison during meeting with LGBTQ People with Disabilities Network. Our disability communities experience significantly higher rates of sexual abuse and exploitation.
S.40: Minimum wage $15 by 01/2022: This is the bill that is being actively discussed in Senate Economic Development
Note: 2018 Session: Both House and Senate Leadership have identified increasing the minimum wage as a Legislative priority.
While economic growth was included in Gov. Scott’s State of the State address, he did not specifically include minimum wage as a priority.
Senate Leadership has identified passage of Equal Pay as a Legislative priority.
02/08/2018: Voted out of Senate Economics 4-1 (Bill amended to $15 by 01/2024)
During the 2016 election Maine voted on Question 4/Citizen Initiative regarding a schedule to increase the minimum wage.
The initiative passed.
“The unfortunate reality is that biased attitudes and discrimination limit the economic opportunities available to many LGBT people; as a result, low-wage jobs and limited access to high-paying jobs contribute to disproportionate rates of poverty in our community.
The impact is staggering: recent studies have shown that LGBT couples raising children are twice as likely to live at the poverty line compared to non-LGBT parents, and transgender people are nearly four times as likely to have a household income under $10,000 per year compared to the population as a whole.
While our work to combat the bias and discrimination that perpetuate these disparities is ongoing, raising the minimum wage would make an immediate and significant difference for members of our community who are struggling.”
Historical Perspective: The VT bills specific to minimum wage.
All House bills have been assigned to General, Housing, and Military Affairs.
The Senate bill has been assigned to Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.
None of the bills have had any committee discussion
H.64: $11.66 as of 01/2018, $13.32 as of 01/2019, $15 as of 01/2020
H.93: $11.50 as of 01/2019, $12.50 as of 01/2020, $13.50 as of 01/2021, $15 as of 01/2022
H.302: $15 by 01/2026
H.313: Minimum and Tipped minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
H.428: Minimum wage includes Tipped wage
During the 2017 session: No committee discussion occurred in either the House or Senate.
S.53 Subject: Health; primary care; public financing
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a system of universal, publicly financed primary care for all Vermonters beginning in 2019.
Assigned to Senate Health & Welfare
S. 175: Health; prescription drugs; importation;
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a program to allow wholesale importation of prescription drugs from Canada into Vermont.
Assigned to Senate Health & Welfare
If a member of an Alliance organization wanted to contact their Representative/Senator regarding an issue that was of interest/importance to them:
(If you don't know who your rep is click here.)
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 802-828-2228 Ask to leave a message for your Representative or Senator Leave a short, polite message.
Suggest only one issue per message.
Send an e-mail to your Representative or Senator
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Send a letter to your Representative of Senator: Rep/Sen. XX, VT Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-5301
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Be sure to include your return address on outside of envelope
Date: 5th February 2018
Bills under consideration the Week of 5th February 2018
Tuesday 02/06/2018:
H. 562: Parentage: Scheduled for 3rd reading, the final and substantive vote by full House. When passed the bill will then move to Senate Judiciary
House Gov. Ops.: 11am H.385 Jurisdiction of Human Rights Commission
Senate Health & Welfare: 15 min after floor: S.175 Importation of Prescription Drugs; S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Press Conference: Statehouse: Cedar Creek Room: 10:30 am: H.794: Ethnic Studies Standards
Wednesday 02/07/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 10am: S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Thursday 02/08/2018:
Senate Health & Welfare: 11am: S.53 Publicly Financed Primary Care Network
Friday 02/09/2018:
House Judiciary: 1pm H.820 Consent to Tape
New Bills Introduced the Week of 28th January 2018
H.794: An act relating to the adoption of ethnic studies standards into statewide educational standards and a policy on ethnic and social equity in schools by public schools and approved independent schools (LGBT is included as an Ethnic standard) Assigned to House Education
H.820: Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit photographing, filming, or recording a person at a peer support group without that person’s consent. Assigned to House Judiciary
H.880: An act relating to prohibiting the involuntary sterilization of individuals with an intellectual disability Not yet assigned to a committee. This issue was brought to the attention of Liaison during meeting with LGBTQ People with Disabilities Network.
Description of bills of interest:
H. 196 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Family Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that will provide employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave and that will be funded by contributions from employers and employees. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing family leave law to make it applicable to allemployers, to clarify certain provisions.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H: 294: Subject: Labor; fair employment practices; wages
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit employers from requiring an applicant to disclose his or her salary and benefit history and from seeking an applicant’s salary history without his or her authorization.
S: 275: Subject: Labor; employment practices; fair employment practices; wage discrimination; wage history inquiries
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to expand the wage discrimination provisions 8 to include all protected classes, to define certain terms related to wage discrimination, and to prohibit employers from requesting an applicant’s salary history.
(7)(c)(1) For It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or person seeking employees to discriminate between employees on the basis of race, color, 14 religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or against a qualified individual with a disability, by paying wages paying compensation to employees an employee of one race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or to an employee who is a qualified individual with a disability, at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the other sex an employee of a different race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or who does not have that disability, for equal work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions. An employer who is paying wages paying compensation in violation of this section shall not reduce the wage rate compensation of any other employee in order to comply with this subsection.
2018 Session: Equal Pay is assigned to House General Housing Military Affairs & Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.333 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that any single-user toilet in public building or place of public accommodation be identified as gender-free
Lead Sponsors: Colburn of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg
Supporting: In this time of additional states replicating N.C.’s HB-2, passage of this bill would be a strong statement in support of VT’s transgender community.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.422 Statement of purpose of the bill as introduced: this bill proposes to require a law enforcement officer to confiscate a dangerous or deadly weapon from a person who is arrested or cited for domestic assault if the weapon is (1) in the immediate possession or control of the person being arrested or cited; (2) in plain view of the officer; or (3) discovered during a consensual search.
Lead Sponsors: Grad of Moretown, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Head of South Burlington, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, and Townsend of South Burlington
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
From the Debate in the House:
Supporting: Victims’ advocates say the measure would get firearms out of the home at a time when statistics show domestic violence victims are at a heightened risk of serious injury from the abuser. This was identified as being the 5 days following incident/citation.
Opposing: Opponents say the bill goes too far, violating constitutional rights to bear arms and to due process.
From 2014 survey National Violence Against Women:
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
• 34.5% Lesbians versus 20.4% Straight Women
• 21.5% Gay Men versus 7.1% Straight Men
• 34.6% Transgender Community
From 2010/2013 survey CDC (Centers for Disease Control) *
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
Note: CDC included threat of “outing” as DV.
• 43.8% Lesbians
• 61.1% Bisexual Women
• 35% Straight Women
• 26% Gay Men
• 37.3% Bisexual Men
• 2.9% Straight Men
*Original survey data did not include gender identity or expression.
H.492 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Racial Justice Oversight Board to manage and oversee the implementation of racial justice reform across the State.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
Historical Perspective: H.502 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a committee to examine issues related to parentage when assisted reproductive technology such as sperm or egg donation or gestational surrogacy has been employed, as well as de facto parentage when a person without clear legal standing as a parent has assumed a role as such in a manner that it is in the best interest of the child for the person to be given standing as a parent.
Bill passed both House and Senate last year.
H. 562 Domestic Relations; Parentage (based on Study Committee formed via H.502)
Lead Sponsor: Maxine Grad/Moretown
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal Vermont’s parentage laws and replace them with a more comprehensive parentage title that includes de facto parentage, genetic parentage, parentage by assisted reproductive technology, and parentage by gestational carrier agreement.
S.40 Minimum Wage:
There are multiple bills that have been introduced during this Legislative session addressing increases in VT’s minimum wage.
The following is a statement that was released by Equality Maine addressing minimum wage as a priority for the LGBTQIA communities.
During the 2016 election Maine voted on Question 4/Citizen Initiative regarding a schedule to increase the minimum wage.
The initiative passed.
“The unfortunate reality is that biased attitudes and discrimination limit the economic opportunities available to many LGBT people; as a result, low-wage jobs and limited access to high-paying jobs contribute to disproportionate rates of poverty in our community.
The impact is staggering: recent studies have shown that LGBT couples raising children are twice as likely to live at the poverty line compared to non-LGBT parents, and transgender people are nearly four times as likely to have a household income under $10,000 per year compared to the population as a whole.
While our work to combat the bias and discrimination that perpetuate these disparities is ongoing, raising the minimum wage would make an immediate and significant difference for members of our community who are struggling.”
The VT bills specific to minimum wage.
All House bills have been assigned to General, Housing, and Military Affairs.
The Senate bill has been assigned to Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.
None of the bills have had any committee discussion
H.64: $11.66 as of 01/2018, $13.32 as of 01/2019, $15 as of 01/2020
H.93: $11.50 as of 01/2019, $12.50 as of 01/2020, $13.50 as of 01/2021, $15 as of 01/2022
H.302: $15 by 01/2026
H.313: Minimum and Tipped minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
H.428: Minimum wage includes Tipped wage
S.40: Minimum wage $15 by 01/2022: This is the bill that is being actively discussed in Senate Economic Development
During the 2017 session: No committee discussion occurred in either the House or Senate.
2018 Session: Both House and Senate Leadership have identified increasing the minimum wage as a Legislative priority.
While economic growth was included in Gov. Scott’s State of the State address, he did not specifically include minimum wage as a priority.
Senate Leadership has identified passage of Equal Pay as a Legislative priority.
S.53 Subject: Health; primary care; public financing
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a system of universal, publicly financed primary care for all Vermonters beginning in 2019.
Assigned to Senate Health & Welfare
If a member of an Alliance organization wanted to contact their Representative/Senator regarding an issue that was of interest/importance to them:
(If you don't know who your rep is click here.)
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 802-828-2228
Ask to leave a message for your Representative or Senator
Leave a short, polite message.
Suggest only one issue per message.
Send an e-mail to your Representative or Senator
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Send a letter to your Representative of Senator: Rep/Sen. XX, VT Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-5301
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Be sure to include your return address on outside of envelope
January 15, 2018
LGBTQIA Alliance of Vermont
Update from Liaisons: Brenda Churchill & Keith E Goslant
Date: 15th January 2018
Bills debated the Week of 8th January 2018
House Judiciary:
H. 562 Parentage Bill
Committee to continue work week of 15th January 2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Committee to continue work during week of 15th January and 23rd January
Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday 25th January
Bills under consideration the Week of 15th January 2018
Tuesday: 01/16/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage (*Note: Committee has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday 01/25 at the Statehouse)
House General Housing Military Affairs
H.294/S.275: Equal Pay
H.488: Indigenous People Day
Wednesday: 01/17/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
House General Housing Military Affairs
H.412: Homeless Bill of Rights
House Judiciary:
H. 562 Parentage Bill: Committee will hear testimony and devote entire day for work on language of the bill.
Thursday: 01/18/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Friday: 01/19/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Bills under consideration the Week of 22nd January 2018
Tuesday 01/23/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Thursday 01/25/2018
PUBLIC HEARING FROM 5:30PM TO 7PM
STATEHOUSE: ROOM STILL BE SCHEDULED
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Description of bills of interest:
H. 196 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Family Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that will provide employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave and that will be funded by contributions from employers and employees. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing family leave law to make it applicable to all
employers, to clarify certain provisions.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H: 294: Subject: Labor; fair employment practices; wages
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit employers from requiring an applicant to disclose his or her salary and benefit history and from seeking an applicant’s salary history without his or her authorization.
S: 275: Subject: Labor; employment practices; fair employment practices; wage discrimination; wage history inquiries
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to expand the wage discrimination provisions 8 to include all protected classes, to define certain terms related to wage discrimination, and to prohibit employers from requesting an applicant’s salary history.
(7)(c)(1) For It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or person seeking employees to discriminate between employees on the basis of race, color, 14 religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or against a qualified individual with a disability, by paying wages paying compensation to employees an employee of one race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or to an employee who is a qualified individual with a disability, at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the other sex an employee of a different race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or who does not have that disability, for equal work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions. An employer who is paying wages paying compensation in violation of this section shall not reduce the wage rate compensation of any other employee in order to comply with this subsection.
2018 Session: Equal Pay is assigned to House General Housing Military Affairs & Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.333 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that any single-user toilet in public building or place of public accommodation be identified as gender-free
Lead Sponsors: Colburn of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg
Supporting: In this time of additional states replicating N.C.’s HB-2, passage of this bill would be a strong statement in support of VT’s transgender community.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.422 Statement of purpose of the bill as introduced: this bill proposes to require a law enforcement officer to confiscate a dangerous or deadly weapon from a person who is arrested or cited for domestic assault if the weapon is (1) in the immediate possession or control of the person being arrested or cited; (2) in plain view of the officer; or (3) discovered during a consensual search.
Lead Sponsors: Grad of Moretown, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Head of South Burlington, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, and Townsend of South Burlington
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
From the Debate in the House:
Supporting: Victims’ advocates say the measure would get firearms out of the home at a time when statistics show domestic violence victims are at a heightened risk of serious injury from the abuser. This was identified as being the 5 days following incident/citation.
Opposing: Opponents say the bill goes too far, violating constitutional rights to bear arms and to due process.
From 2014 survey National Violence Against Women:
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
34.5% Lesbians versus 20.4% Straight Women
21.5% Gay Men versus 7.1% Straight Men
34.6% Transgender Community
From 2010/2013 survey CDC (Centers for Disease Control) *
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
Note: CDC included threat of “outing” as DV.
43.8% Lesbians
61.1% Bisexual Women
35% Straight Women
26% Gay Men
37.3% Bisexual Men
2.9% Straight Men
*Original survey data did not include gender identity or expression.
H.492 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Racial Justice Oversight Board to manage and oversee the implementation of racial justice reform across the State.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H.502 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a committee to examine issues related to parentage when assisted reproductive technology such as sperm or egg donation or gestational surrogacy has been employed, as well as de facto parentage when a person without clear legal standing as a parent has assumed a role as such in a manner that it is in the best interest of the child for the person to be given standing as a parent.
Bill passed both House and Senate last year.
H. 562 Domestic Relations; Parentage (based on Study Committee formed via H:502)
Lead Sponsor: Maxine Grad/Moretown
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal Vermont’s parentage laws and replace them with a more comprehensive parentage title that includes de facto parentage, genetic parentage, parentage by assisted reproductive technology, and parentage by gestational carrier agreement.
S.40 Minimum Wage:
There are multiple bills that have been introduced during this Legislative session addressing increases in VT’s minimum wage.
The following is a statement that was released by Equality Maine addressing minimum wage as a priority for the LGBTQIA communities.
During the 2016 election Maine voted on Question 4/Citizen Initiative regarding a schedule to increase the minimum wage.
The initiative passed.
“The unfortunate reality is that biased attitudes and discrimination limit the economic opportunities available to many LGBT people; as a result, low-wage jobs and limited access to high-paying jobs contribute to disproportionate rates of poverty in our community.
The impact is staggering: recent studies have shown that LGBT couples raising children are twice as likely to live at the poverty line compared to non-LGBT parents, and transgender people are nearly four times as likely to have a household income under $10,000 per year compared to the population as a whole.
While our work to combat the bias and discrimination that perpetuate these disparities is ongoing, raising the minimum wage would make an immediate and significant difference for members of our community who are struggling.”
The VT bills specific to minimum wage.
All House bills have been assigned to General, Housing, and Military Affairs.
The Senate bill has been assigned to Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.
None of the bills have had any committee discussion
H.64: $11.66 as of 01/2018, $13.32 as of 01/2019, $15 as of 01/2020
H.93: $11.50 as of 01/2019, $12.50 as of 01/2020, $13.50 as of 01/2021, $15 as of 01/2022
H.302: $15 by 01/2026
H.313: Minimum and Tipped minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
H.428: Minimum wage includes Tipped wage
S.40: Minimum wage $15 by 01/2022: This is the bill that is being actively discussed in Senate Economic Development
During the 2017 session: No committee discussion occurred in either the House or Senate.
2018 Session: Both House and Senate Leadership have identified increasing the minimum wage as a Legislative priority.
While economic growth was included in Gov. Scott’s State of the State address, he did not specifically include minimum wage as a priority.
Senate Leadership has identified passage of Equal Pay as a Legislative priority.
If a member of an Alliance organization wanted to contact their Representative/Senator regarding an issue that was of interest/importance to them:
(If you don't know who your rep is click here.)
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 802-828-2228 Ask to leave a message for your Representative or Senator Leave a short, polite message.
Suggest only one issue per message.
Send an e-mail to your Representative or Senator
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Send a letter to your Representative of Senator: Rep/Sen. XX, VT Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-5301
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Be sure to include your return address on outside of envelope
Update from Liaisons: Brenda Churchill & Keith E Goslant
Date: 15th January 2018
Bills debated the Week of 8th January 2018
House Judiciary:
H. 562 Parentage Bill
Committee to continue work week of 15th January 2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Committee to continue work during week of 15th January and 23rd January
Public Hearing scheduled for Thursday 25th January
Bills under consideration the Week of 15th January 2018
Tuesday: 01/16/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage (*Note: Committee has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday 01/25 at the Statehouse)
House General Housing Military Affairs
H.294/S.275: Equal Pay
H.488: Indigenous People Day
Wednesday: 01/17/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
House General Housing Military Affairs
H.412: Homeless Bill of Rights
House Judiciary:
H. 562 Parentage Bill: Committee will hear testimony and devote entire day for work on language of the bill.
Thursday: 01/18/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Friday: 01/19/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Bills under consideration the Week of 22nd January 2018
Tuesday 01/23/2018
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Thursday 01/25/2018
PUBLIC HEARING FROM 5:30PM TO 7PM
STATEHOUSE: ROOM STILL BE SCHEDULED
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
S.40: Minimum Wage
Description of bills of interest:
H. 196 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Family Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that will provide employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave and that will be funded by contributions from employers and employees. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing family leave law to make it applicable to all
employers, to clarify certain provisions.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H: 294: Subject: Labor; fair employment practices; wages
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit employers from requiring an applicant to disclose his or her salary and benefit history and from seeking an applicant’s salary history without his or her authorization.
S: 275: Subject: Labor; employment practices; fair employment practices; wage discrimination; wage history inquiries
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to expand the wage discrimination provisions 8 to include all protected classes, to define certain terms related to wage discrimination, and to prohibit employers from requesting an applicant’s salary history.
(7)(c)(1) For It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any employer, employment agency, labor organization, or person seeking employees to discriminate between employees on the basis of race, color, 14 religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or against a qualified individual with a disability, by paying wages paying compensation to employees an employee of one race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or to an employee who is a qualified individual with a disability, at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the other sex an employee of a different race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, place of birth, or age, or who does not have that disability, for equal work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility and is performed under similar working conditions. An employer who is paying wages paying compensation in violation of this section shall not reduce the wage rate compensation of any other employee in order to comply with this subsection.
2018 Session: Equal Pay is assigned to House General Housing Military Affairs & Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.333 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that any single-user toilet in public building or place of public accommodation be identified as gender-free
Lead Sponsors: Colburn of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg
Supporting: In this time of additional states replicating N.C.’s HB-2, passage of this bill would be a strong statement in support of VT’s transgender community.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.422 Statement of purpose of the bill as introduced: this bill proposes to require a law enforcement officer to confiscate a dangerous or deadly weapon from a person who is arrested or cited for domestic assault if the weapon is (1) in the immediate possession or control of the person being arrested or cited; (2) in plain view of the officer; or (3) discovered during a consensual search.
Lead Sponsors: Grad of Moretown, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Head of South Burlington, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, and Townsend of South Burlington
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
From the Debate in the House:
Supporting: Victims’ advocates say the measure would get firearms out of the home at a time when statistics show domestic violence victims are at a heightened risk of serious injury from the abuser. This was identified as being the 5 days following incident/citation.
Opposing: Opponents say the bill goes too far, violating constitutional rights to bear arms and to due process.
From 2014 survey National Violence Against Women:
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
34.5% Lesbians versus 20.4% Straight Women
21.5% Gay Men versus 7.1% Straight Men
34.6% Transgender Community
From 2010/2013 survey CDC (Centers for Disease Control) *
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
Note: CDC included threat of “outing” as DV.
43.8% Lesbians
61.1% Bisexual Women
35% Straight Women
26% Gay Men
37.3% Bisexual Men
2.9% Straight Men
*Original survey data did not include gender identity or expression.
H.492 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Racial Justice Oversight Board to manage and oversee the implementation of racial justice reform across the State.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H.502 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a committee to examine issues related to parentage when assisted reproductive technology such as sperm or egg donation or gestational surrogacy has been employed, as well as de facto parentage when a person without clear legal standing as a parent has assumed a role as such in a manner that it is in the best interest of the child for the person to be given standing as a parent.
Bill passed both House and Senate last year.
H. 562 Domestic Relations; Parentage (based on Study Committee formed via H:502)
Lead Sponsor: Maxine Grad/Moretown
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal Vermont’s parentage laws and replace them with a more comprehensive parentage title that includes de facto parentage, genetic parentage, parentage by assisted reproductive technology, and parentage by gestational carrier agreement.
S.40 Minimum Wage:
There are multiple bills that have been introduced during this Legislative session addressing increases in VT’s minimum wage.
The following is a statement that was released by Equality Maine addressing minimum wage as a priority for the LGBTQIA communities.
During the 2016 election Maine voted on Question 4/Citizen Initiative regarding a schedule to increase the minimum wage.
The initiative passed.
“The unfortunate reality is that biased attitudes and discrimination limit the economic opportunities available to many LGBT people; as a result, low-wage jobs and limited access to high-paying jobs contribute to disproportionate rates of poverty in our community.
The impact is staggering: recent studies have shown that LGBT couples raising children are twice as likely to live at the poverty line compared to non-LGBT parents, and transgender people are nearly four times as likely to have a household income under $10,000 per year compared to the population as a whole.
While our work to combat the bias and discrimination that perpetuate these disparities is ongoing, raising the minimum wage would make an immediate and significant difference for members of our community who are struggling.”
The VT bills specific to minimum wage.
All House bills have been assigned to General, Housing, and Military Affairs.
The Senate bill has been assigned to Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.
None of the bills have had any committee discussion
H.64: $11.66 as of 01/2018, $13.32 as of 01/2019, $15 as of 01/2020
H.93: $11.50 as of 01/2019, $12.50 as of 01/2020, $13.50 as of 01/2021, $15 as of 01/2022
H.302: $15 by 01/2026
H.313: Minimum and Tipped minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
H.428: Minimum wage includes Tipped wage
S.40: Minimum wage $15 by 01/2022: This is the bill that is being actively discussed in Senate Economic Development
During the 2017 session: No committee discussion occurred in either the House or Senate.
2018 Session: Both House and Senate Leadership have identified increasing the minimum wage as a Legislative priority.
While economic growth was included in Gov. Scott’s State of the State address, he did not specifically include minimum wage as a priority.
Senate Leadership has identified passage of Equal Pay as a Legislative priority.
If a member of an Alliance organization wanted to contact their Representative/Senator regarding an issue that was of interest/importance to them:
(If you don't know who your rep is click here.)
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 802-828-2228 Ask to leave a message for your Representative or Senator Leave a short, polite message.
Suggest only one issue per message.
Send an e-mail to your Representative or Senator
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Send a letter to your Representative of Senator: Rep/Sen. XX, VT Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-5301
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Be sure to include your return address on outside of envelope
January 9, 2018
Meeting scheduled for Friday 12th January between new point of contact for the Scott administration, Hayden Dublois, and the Liaisons. Meeting scheduled to take place in the Office of the Governor.
During the Legislative session, both the Governor and Lt. Governor will be sponsoring “Coffee with Constituents” in their Statehouse offices.
The Governor’s hours are from 8:30 to 9:30 on Wednesdays.
The Lt. Governor’s hours are from 8:30 to 11am on Fridays.
Below is a list of VT bills that could be of interest to members of the Alliance.
I have included a description of the bill and where it is in the legislative process.
Please note, that a bill must pass one chamber, either House or Senate, before it is considered by the other chamber.
A bill must pass both chambers with a favorable vote during a single biennium (the 2-year legislative session which begins the January after an election) for it to be sent to the Governor for signature into law.
If a bill does not complete this process during a biennium, it must be formally reintroduced during the next biennium.
If there is a bill for which a member of the Alliance would like to receive updates on its progress, please e-mail a request identifying the bill of interest.
*Within the next few weeks individual committees will be reviewing and prioritizing the bills on which they will work this year.
As of 9th January 2018
Sexual Harassment: #MeToo has extended to reports of sexual harassment within the VT Legislature. Leadership in both the House and Senate have stated that review and revision of current protocols are a priority and must reflective current best practice standards. Senators have already received training this year on sexual harassment.
House members to receive training regarding sexual harassment on Tuesday 01/09.
Consent to tape: There has been recent publicity regarding the covert taping of a healthcare forum for the transgender community at the Pride Center of VT. The forum was taped, without consent and concealing their true identities, by a national conservative organization. The tape was then edited so as to portray the Pride Center as attempting to instruct transgender people on how to exploit and manipulate the public entitlement and healthcare networks. Rep. Bill Lippert/Hinesburg has request Legislative Council to reserve a space for the drafting of a bill to respond to this incident. Conversations have already begun with the Civil Rights Enforcement Division of the VT Office of Attorney General on how the bill might be constructed. This process is in its earliest stages. People should anticipate a public hearing to be scheduled.
H. 196 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a Family Leave Insurance Program within the Department of Labor that will provide employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave and that will be funded by contributions from employers and employees. This bill also proposes to amend Vermont’s existing family leave law to make it applicable to all
employers, to clarify certain provisions.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.333 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require that any single-user toilet in public building or place of public accommodation be identified as gender-free
Lead Sponsors: Colburn of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg
Supporting: In this time of additional states replicating N.C.’s HB-2, passage of this bill would be a strong statement in support of VT’s transgender community.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
H.422 Statement of purpose of the bill as introduced: this bill proposes to require a law enforcement officer to confiscate a dangerous or deadly weapon from a person who is arrested or cited for domestic assault if the weapon is (1) in the immediate possession or control of the person being arrested or cited; (2) in plain view of the officer; or (3) discovered during a consensual search.
Lead Sponsors: Grad of Moretown, Christie of Hartford, Cina of Burlington, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Head of South Burlington, O’Sullivan of Burlington, Till of Jericho, and Townsend of South Burlington
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
From the Debate in the House:
Supporting: Victims’ advocates say the measure would get firearms out of the home at a time when statistics show domestic violence victims are at a heightened risk of serious injury from the abuser. This was identified as being the 5 days following incident/citation.
Opposing: Opponents say the bill goes too far, violating constitutional rights to bear arms and to due process.
From 2014 survey National Violence Against Women:
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
- 34.5% Lesbians versus 20.4% Straight Women
- 21.5% Gay Men versus 7.1% Straight Men
- 34.6% Transgender Community
From 2010/2013 survey CDC (Centers for Disease Control) *
Reports of rape/physical violence/domestic violence (includes both intimate partner and family violence)
Note: CDC included threat of “outing” as DV.
- 43.8% Lesbians
- 61.1% Bisexual Women
- 35% Straight Women
- 26% Gay Men
- 37.3% Bisexual Men
- 2.9% Straight Men
*Original survey data did not include gender identity or expression.
H.492 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish the Racial Justice Oversight Board to manage and oversee the implementation of racial justice reform across the State.
Bill passed House last year.
2018 Session: Assigned to Senate Judiciary
H.502 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish a committee to examine issues related to parentage when assisted reproductive technology such as sperm or egg donation or gestational surrogacy has been employed, as well as de facto parentage when a person without clear legal standing as a parent has assumed a role as such in a manner that it is in the best interest of the child for the person to be given standing as a parent.
Bill passed both House and Senate last year.
H. 562 Domestic Relations; Parentage (based on Study Committee formed via H:502)
Lead Sponsor: Maxine Grad/Moretown
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal Vermont’s parentage laws and replace them with a more comprehensive parentage title that includes de facto parentage, genetic parentage, parentage by assisted reproductive technology, and parentage by gestational carrier agreement.
House Judiciary: Committee hearings scheduled for Wednesday 01/10 & Thursday 01/11 starting at 9am both days.
Minimum Wage:
There are multiple bills that have been introduced during this Legislative session addressing increases in VT’s minimum wage.
The following is a statement that was released by Equality Maine addressing minimum wage as a priority for the LGBTQIA communities.
Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs scheduled to begin discussion on minimum wage Thursday 01/11 at 9am.
During the 2016 election Maine voted on Question 4/Citizen Initiative regarding a schedule to increase the minimum wage.
The initiative passed.
“The unfortunate reality is that biased attitudes and discrimination limit the economic opportunities available to many LGBT people; as a result, low-wage jobs and limited access to high-paying jobs contribute to disproportionate rates of poverty in our community.
The impact is staggering: recent studies have shown that LGBT couples raising children are twice as likely to live at the poverty line compared to non-LGBT parents, and transgender people are nearly four times as likely to have a household income under $10,000 per year compared to the population as a whole.
While our work to combat the bias and discrimination that perpetuate these disparities is ongoing, raising the minimum wage would make an immediate and significant difference for members of our community who are struggling.”
The VT bills specific to minimum wage.
All House bills have been assigned to General, Housing, and Military Affairs.
The Senate bill has been assigned to Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.
None of the bills have had any committee discussion
H.64: $11.66 as of 01/2018, $13.32 as of 01/2019, $15 as of 01/2020
H.93: $11.50 as of 01/2019, $12.50 as of 01/2020, $13.50 as of 01/2021, $15 as of 01/2022
H.302: $15 by 01/2026
H.313: Minimum and Tipped minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
H.428: Minimum wage includes Tipped wage
S.40: Minimum wage $15 by 01/2022
During the 2017 session: No committee discussion occurred in either the House or Senate.
2018 Session: Both House and Senate Leadership have identified increasing the minimum wage as a Legislative priority.
While economic growth was included in Gov. Scott’s State of the State address, he did not specifically include minimum wage as a priority.
If a member of an Alliance organization wanted to contact their Representative/Senator regarding an issue that was of interest/importance to them:
(If you don't know who your rep is click here.)
Call the Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 802-828-2228
Ask to leave a message for your Representative or Senator
Leave a short, polite message.
Suggest only one issue per message.
Send an e-mail to your Representative or Senator
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Send a letter to your Representative of Senator: Rep/Sen. XX, VT Statehouse, 115 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633-5301
Be polite,
Be brief,
Suggest only one issue per e-mail.
As is possible, personalize your response.
Be sure to include your return address on outside of envelope
The LGBTQIA Alliance of Vermont is comprised of representatives from a range of LGBTQIA organizations and individuals from the broader Vermont community. Our mission is to anticipate and collaboratively respond to proposed & enacted laws, policies, actions, and community-level crises that impact LGBTQIA Vermonters.
The Alliance provides expert advice to elected officials, political activists, state agencies, community based & professional organizations, and other interested parties on representing and protecting the interests and rights of LGBTQIA Vermonters. The group seeks to fairly represent the collective voice of LGBTQIA Vermonters through advocacy, community building, education, and representation.