TO: VCDR Alert List
VCDR Legislative Committee Schedule Alert for 2011 session
Week of April 4, 2011, to April,8, 2011
These weekly alerts will contain summaries of committee action that would be of interest to the disability community. The complete calendar will not be found here, I have provided a link for that, but you will find highlights of the week’s activities for specific committees.
Link to Vermont Legislative Committee Page
Thanks to Nick Stanton of Disability Rights Vermont for Legislative
Update.
** IMPORTANT **
Thursday, April 7, 2011
6:00 PMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Public Hearing with Providers
Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Room 11, 6:00-8:00 PM
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Summary
Appropriations will be hearing about workforce development council and performance based budgeting this week. Human Services will be taking testimony all week on H.97,an act related to early childhood education. Education is working on a variety of bills including, H.412,an act relating to harassment and bullying in educational settings, and S.100, a miscellaneous amendment bill or technical corrections. General Housing and Military Affairs will take testimony on Federal funding of housing projects on Wednesday. Health care will work on H. 44, an act relating to establishing a maternal mortality review panel. Judiciary is looking at the public records legislation (H.73) on Tuesday.
Appropriations
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
9:00 AMWorkforce Development Council
Initiatives...
Chip Evans, ExecutiveDirector, Workforce Development Council
1:00 PMHouse Convenes
Thursday, April 07, 2011
9:00 AMPeformance Based Budgeting
Matt Riven, Director of Budget and Management, Department of Finance & Management
1:00 PMHouse Convenes
Commerce and Economic Development
Wednesday, April 6,2011
10:00 AMAct 142 Report
(Workers' compensation misclassification) Report from the Department of Labor
Anne Noonan, Commissioner, Department of Labor
Stephen Monahan, Director Workers' Compensation and Safety Division, Vermont Department of Labor
1:00 PMFloor Convenes
After Adj.Act 142 Report
(Workers' compensation misclassification) Committee discussion and further testimony as needed
Corrections and Institutions
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
8:30 AMWar On Recidivism
Andy Pallito, Commissioner, Department of Corrections
Education:
Tuesday, April 5,2011
2:30 PMSmall Schools Grant Study
Testimony on this study as well as on the Truancy Report (Sec. 46 of Act 44 of 2009). Joint meeting with the Senate Committee on Education in room 10.
Armando Vilaseca, Commissioner, Department of Education
William Talbott, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Education
Brad James, Director, School Finance, Department of Education
3:30 PMH. 412 - An act relating to harassment and bullying in educational settings
Rep. Mark Larson, Sponsor
Robert Appel, Executive Director, Human Rights Commission
Jeff Francis, Executive Director, Vermont Superintendents Association
Ken Page, Executive Director, Vermont Principals Association
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
8:30 AMS. 53 - An act relating to the number of prekindergarten children included within a school district’s average daily membership
Donna Russo-Savage, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Manuela Fonseca, School Support/Early Education Coordinator, Department of Education
Brad James, Director, School Finance, Department of Education
Reeva Murphy, Deputy Commissioner, Child Development Division, Department for Children and Families
Lisa Ventriss, President, Vermont Business Roundtable
Steve Voigt, President, Vermont Business Roundtable
Andrea Cohen, Public Policy Manager, Vermont Business for Social Responsibility
Deb Reed, Orchard Valley Waldorf School
Patty Gaston, Early Education Coordinator, Montpelier Public Schools
Frank Perotti, Superintendent, Springfield Supervisory District
Gladys Collins, Director, Early Education, Springfield Supervisory District
Jeanne Collins, Superintendent, Burlington School District
Diana Langston, Director, Early Education, Burlington School District
Jeff Francis, Executive Director, Vermont Superintendents Association
Nancy Kaplan, Kids Are Priority One Coalition
Friday, April 08, 2011
8:45 AMS. 100 - An act relating to making miscellaneous amendments to education laws
William Talbott, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Education
General Housing and Military Affairs
Tuesday, April, 6, 2011
15 Min after caucusH. 42 - An act relating to employment decisions based on credit information
Committee Discussion and possible vote
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
9:00 AMFederal funding of housing projects
Erhard Mahnke, Executive Director, Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition
Jennifer Hollar, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Economic, Housing & Community Development
Richard Williams, Executive Director, Vermont State Housing Authority
Maura Collins, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
12:00 PMLunch
1:00 PMFLOOR
Thursday, April 07, 2011
9:00 AMH. 389 - An act relating to union organizing
Christine Oliver, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
Health Care
Tuesday, April 5,2011
2:00 PMH. 44 - An act relating to establishing a maternal mortality review panel
or after caucus
Rep. George W. Till, Sponsor
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Madeleine Mongan, Vice-President, Vermont Medical Society (3:15 PM)
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
9:00 AMH. 44 - An act relating to establishing a maternal mortality review panel
Harry Chen MD, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Health (9:00 AM)
Breena Holmes MD, Director of Maternal and Child Health, Vermont Department of Health (9:00 AM)
Barry D. Smith MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Emeritus, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (10:00 AM)
Steve Shapiro MD, Chief Medical Examiner, Vermont Department of Health (11:00 AM)
1:00 PMFLOOR
Thursday, April 07, 2011
9:00 AMH. 369 - An act relating to health professionals regulated by the board of medical practice
Rep. George W. Till, Sponsor
BetsyAnn Wrask, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Madeleine Mongan, Vice-President, Vermont Medical Society (9:30 AM)
David Herlihy, Director, Vermont Board of Medical Practice (10:30 AM)
John Bond PA, President, Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont (11:00 AM)
Harry Chen MD, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Health (11:30 AM)
1:00 PMFLOOR
Human Services
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
2:45 PM or 15 Mins. after FloorH. 97 - An act relating to early childhood educators
John Hollar, Lobbyist, TBA
Steve Dale, Vermont School Boards Association
Joel Cook, Director, Vermont National Education Association
Andrew Tripp, American Federation of Teachers
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
8:30 AMH. 97 - An act relating to early childhood educators
Kevin Ellis, Lobbyist
Shawn Banfield, Lobbyist, NFIB
Sheila Reed, Legislative Coodinator, Voices for Vermont's Children
David Yacovone, Commissioner, Department for Children & Families
Reeva Murphy, Deputy Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
12:00 PMLunch
1:00 PMFLOOR
After Adj.H. 97 - An act relating to early childhood educators
Committee Discussion
Judiciary
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
H. 73 - An act relating to establishing a government transparency office to enforce the public records act
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Transportation
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
9:00 AMH. 198 - An act relating to a transportation policy to accommodate all users
Other witnesses to be announced
Rep. Mollie S. Burke, Sponsor
Senate Committees
Appropriations Committee is working on H.441, an act relating to making appropriations for the support of government. Economic Development will be taking testimony on H.287, the jobs bill. Finance will be working on H.436, the miscellaneous tax bill. Health and Welfare is taking testimony on H.202, an act relating to single payer and unified health care system, all week. Institutions committee is working on the Capital Bill all week. Judiciary is look at H.46, an act relating to youth athletes with concussions participating in athletic activities. Transportation is working on the Transportation Bill.
Appropriations
(highlights)
Tuesday through Friday
1:30 PMH. 441 - An act relating to making appropriations for the support of government
Committee deliberations and mark-up
Economic Development
Tuesday through Friday
H. 287 - An act relating to job creation and economic development
Testimony and discussion
Education
Finance
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
1:30 p.m.H. 436 - An act relating to tax changes, including income taxes, property taxes, economic development credits, health care-related tax provisions, and miscellaneous tax provisions
Testimony and discussion throughout the week.
Government Operations
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
2:00 PMHealth Care Board
Structuring of the Health Care Board
Michael Dworkin, Director of the Institute for Energy and the Environment, Vermont Law School
Health and Welfare
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
8:00 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system- Blue Cross/Blueshield and Health Care Reform
Don George, Chair, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont
8:15 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system- Chiropractics and Health Care Reform
Vernon Temple, Co-chair Legislative Committee, Vermont Chiropractic Association
8:30 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Alexandra Forbes, Vermont Psychological Association
Christie Steier, Vermont State Nurses Association
Peg Franzen, Montpelier, Vermont Workers' Center
Katina Cummings, Executive Director, NAMI VT
Marvin Malek MD, American College of Physicians
9:30 AMSenate Floor
10:30 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system- GreenMountain Care board
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
6:30-8:30 PMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
8:00 AMCommittee Discussion & Organization
8:30 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Steven Kappel MPA, Principal, Policy Integrity, LLC
9:30 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
6:00 PMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Rich Harvie, Owner, Montpelier Pharmacy
Gabriel Archdeacon, Vermont Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Robert Davis, Vermont Acupuncture Association
Thursday, April 07, 2011
8:30 AMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system
Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
Robin Lunge, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
11:30 AMSenate Floor
6:00-8:00 PMH. 202 - An act relating to a single-payer and unified health system- PUBLIC HEARING, Room 11, Provider Community
Judiciary
Thursday, April 07, 2011
9:00 AMH. 88 - An act relating to uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement
James Mongeon, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys, Sheriffs & Special Investigators
Robert Sheil, Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
9:45 AMH. 88 - An act relating to uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement
Mark Up the bill
10:15 AMH. 46 - An act relating to youth athletes with concussions participating in athletic activities
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
10:30 AMJustice Reinvestment
Mark Up & Vote
New Bills from this past week:
One new bill introduced week of March 28
S. 103 AN ACT RELATING TO PATIENT CHOICE AND CONTROL AT END OF LIFe
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
This bill proposes to make miscellaneous amendments to education law with some notable changes to the special education language.
New Bills since town meeting break
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
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
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
An act relating to the repeal of chapters 179, 181, 183, and 185 of Title 1811
and enactment of a new chapter 180, relating to hospitalization and treatment of persons with mental illness.
H 313 AN ACT RELATING TO PATIENT SAFETY
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
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.
S. 90 AN ACT RELATING TO RESPECTFUL LANGUAGE IN STATE STATUTES IN REFERRING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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
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
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
This bill proposes to enhance the penalties for assault of a health care worker.
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