Departments, Divisions, Councils, and Boards

V.S.A. tit. 3, ch. 53, subch. 4

in effect

3 V.S.A. § 3081 Department of Corrections

3081. Department of Corrections The Department of Corrections is created within the Agency of Human Services as the successor to and the continuation of the Department of Corrections. Added 1969, No. 272 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Jan. 10, 1971.

3 V.S.A. § 3082 Department of Health

3082. Department of Health The Department of Health is created within the Agency of Human Services as the successor to and the continuation of the Department of Health. Added 1969, No. 272 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. Jan. 10, 1971; amended 1987, No. 76, § 18; 1995, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 106b; 2007, No. 15, § 4.

3 V.S.A. § 3084 Department for Children and Families

3084. Department for Children and Families (a) The Department for Children and Families is created within the Agency of Human Services as the successor to and the continuation of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services; the Department of Prevention, Assistance, Transition, and Health Access, excluding the Department of Vermont Health Access; the Office of Economic Opportunity; and the Office of Child Support. The Department shall also include a Division of Child Development Programs. (b) An investigations unit is created within the Department for Children and Families as the successor to and continuation of the investigation functions of the Social Services Division of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services under 33 V.S.A. chapter 49. Added 1969, No. 272 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Jan. 10, 1971; amended 1973, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 14, 1974; 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1983, No. 221 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1989, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), § 8a; 1999, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 106c; 2009, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § I.7.

3 V.S.A. § 3085a Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living

3085a. Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living is created within the Agency of Human Services as the successor to and continuation of the Department of Aging and Disabilities, the Developmental Services Division of the Department of Developmental and Mental Health Services, and the personal care and hi-tech programs in the former Department of Prevention, Assistance, Transition, and Health Access to manage programs and to protect the interests of older Vermonters and Vermonters with disabilities. It shall serve as the State unit on aging, as provided by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and it shall serve as the administrative home within the Agency of Human Services for the designated State agencies for federal Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Programs, as provided by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Added 1989, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 106d; 2005, No. 45, § 4; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.

3 V.S.A. § 3085b Commission on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders

3085b. Commission on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (a) The Commission on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders is created. (b) The Commission shall be composed of 21 members: the Commissioners of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living and of Health or designees, the Executive Director of Blueprint for Health or designee, one Senator chosen by the Senate Committee on Committees, one Representative chosen by the Speaker of the House, and 16 members appointed by the Governor. The members appointed by the Governor shall represent the following groups and organizations: physicians; social workers; hospitals and nursing home managers, including the administrators of the Vermont Veterans’ Home; the clergy; adult day center providers; registered nurses; residential care home operators; family care providers; the home health agency; the legal profession; mental health service providers; the area agencies on aging; University of Vermont’s Center on Aging; the Support and Services at Home (SASH) program; and the Alzheimer’s Association. The members appointed by the Governor shall have direct expertise or experience working with or caring for individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, expertise in clinical and medical research on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, or knowledge of health systems and policies to equitably address Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and shall represent, to the degree possible, the five regions of the State. (c) Eight of the members appointed by the Governor shall serve terms of two years and eight of the members shall serve terms of three years. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. Members may serve more than one term. (d)(1) For attendance at meetings during adjournment of the General Assembly, legislative members of the Commission shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 2 V.S.A. § 23 for not more than four meetings. (2) Members of the Commission who are not employees of the State of Vermont and who are not otherwise compensated or reimbursed for their attendance shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than four meetings per year. Payment to the members shall be from the appropriation to the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. (e) Annually, the Commission shall elect its chair and other officers from among its membership and meet upon the call of the Chair or a majority of its membership. (f) The Commission shall advise State agencies on matters of State policy relating to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related disorders in Vermont for both the public and private sectors. The Commission shall: (1) Evaluate the adequacy of existing services to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related disorders and their families and conduct studies to identify gaps in these services. These studies may include access to mental health-related services and support for services to families of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. (2) Identify strategies and recommend resources to expand existing services. (3) Review or participate in the development of laws, rules, and other governmental initiatives that may affect individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related disorders, and their families. (4) Provide advice regarding revisions, coordination of services, accountability, and appropriations. (5) Support the development of expanded community recognition, understanding, and capacity to meet the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related disorders. This may include development of new technologies to improve access to information for caregivers and practitioners who provide services throughout the State and identification of new models of service and activities related to expansion of community access to information, education, and service. (6) Advise and provide written comments to the Departments of Health and of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living regarding the development of the State Plan on Aging as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 6206 and other relevant plans. (g) The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living shall provide the Commission with administrative support. (h) Annually, on or before January 15, the Commission shall submit a written report to the House Committee on Human Services and to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare with its findings and any recommendations for legislative action. Added 1999, No. 57, § 1, eff. June 1, 1999; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2011, No. 7, § 1, eff. April 18, 2011; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 51, eff. May 14, 2012; 2015, No. 28, § 1, eff. May 26, 2015; 2017, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2021, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.

3 V.S.A. § 3086 Operations Division

3086. Operations Division (a) The Operations Division of the Agency is created. It shall be administered by a Director of Administration. (b) The Operations Division shall provide the following services to the Agency and all its components, including components assigned to it for administration: (1) personnel administration; (2) financing and accounting activities; (3) coordination of filing and records maintenance activities; (4) provision of facilities, office space, and equipment and the care thereof; (5) requisitioning from the Department of Buildings and General Services of the Agency of Administration, of supplies, equipment, and other requirements; (6) management improvement services; (7) training; (8) information systems and technology; and (9) other administrative functions assigned to it by the Secretary. (c) Other provisions of the law notwithstanding, all administrative service functions delegated to other components of the Agency shall be performed within the Agency by the Operations Division. (d) [Repealed.] Added 1969, No. 272 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. Jan. 10, 1971; amended 1981, No. 108, § 322; 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(a), eff. May 6, 1996; 1997, No. 61, § 267; 1997, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 106e; 2005, No. 6, § 84, eff. March 26, 2005; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.

3 V.S.A. § 3087 Planning Division

3087. Planning Division (a) The Planning Division of the Agency is created. It shall be administered by a Director of Planning. The Secretary shall appoint the Director. (b) The Planning Division shall be responsible for: (1) centralized strategic planning for all components of the Agency; (2) coordination of professional and technical planning of the line components of the Agency, aiming toward maximum service to the public; (3) coordinating activities and plans of the Agency with other major agencies and the Governor’s office; (4) preparing multiyear plans and long-range plans and programs to meet problems and opportunities for service to the public; and (5) other planning functions assigned to it by the Secretary. Added 1969, No. 272 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. Jan. 10, 1971.

3 V.S.A. § 3087a Field Services Division

3087a. Field Services Division The Division of Field Services is created within the Agency of Human Services. The Division shall be headed by a director who shall be exempt from the classified service and who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Human Services. Added 2007, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.

3 V.S.A. § 3088 Department of Vermont Health Access

3088. Department of Vermont Health Access The Department of Vermont Health Access is created within the Agency of Human Services. Added 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 106f; amended 2009, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § I.8.

3 V.S.A. § 3089 Department of Mental Health

3089. Department of Mental Health The Department of Mental Health is created within the Agency of Human Services as the successor to and the continuation of the Division of Mental Health Services of the Department of Health. The Department of Mental Health shall be responsible for the operation of the Vermont State Hospital or its successor in interest as defined in subdivision 455(28) of this title. Added 2007, No. 15, § 5; amended 2011, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. April 4, 2012.

3 V.S.A. § 3090 Human Services Board

3090. Human Services Board (a) The Human Services Board is created within the Agency of Human Services as the successor to and the continuation of the present Social Welfare Board. It consists of seven members. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint members for terms of six years so that not more than three terms expire in the same biennium. The Governor shall designate the Board’s Chair. (b) The duties of the Board shall be to act as a Fair Hearing Board on appeals brought pursuant to section 3091 of this title. (c) The Board shall hold meetings at times and places warned by the Chair on his or her own initiative or upon request of two Board members or the Governor. Four members shall constitute a quorum, except that three members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting upon the written authorization of the Chair issued in connection with that meeting. (d) With the approval of the Governor the Board may appoint one or more hearing officers, who shall be outside the classified service, and it may employ such secretarial assistance as it deems necessary in the performance of its duties. (e) On or before January 15 of each year, the Board shall report to the House Committees on Human Services and on Health Care and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and on Health and Welfare regarding the fair hearings conducted by the Board during the three preceding calendar years, including: (1) the total number of fair hearings conducted over the three-year period and per year; (2) the number of hearings per year involving appeals of decisions by the Agency itself and each department within the Agency, with the appeals and decisions relating to health insurance through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange reported distinctly from other programs; (3) the number of hearings per year based on appeals of decisions regarding: (A) eligibility; (B) benefits; (C) coverage; (D) financial assistance; (E) child support; and (F) other categories of appeals; (4) the number of hearings per year based on appeals of decisions regarding each State program over which the Board has jurisdiction; (5) the number of decisions per year made in favor of the appellant; and (6) the number of decisions per year made in favor of the department or the Agency. Added 1973, No. 101, § 4; amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 72; 2013, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § E.304; 2017, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. May 21, 2018.

3 V.S.A. § 3091 Hearings

3091. Hearings (a) An applicant for or a recipient of assistance, benefits, or social services from the Departments for Children and Families; of Vermont Health Access; of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living; or of Mental Health, or of the Department of Health’s Women, Infant, and Children program, or an applicant for a license from one of those departments, except for the Department of Health, or a licensee may file a request for a fair hearing with the Human Services Board. An opportunity for a fair hearing will be granted to any individual requesting a hearing because the individual’s claim for assistance, benefits, or services is denied, or is not acted upon with reasonable promptness; or because the individual is aggrieved by any other Agency action affecting the individual’s receipt of assistance, benefits, or services, or license or license application; or because the individual is aggrieved by Agency policy as it affects the individual’s situation. (b) The hearing shall be conducted by the Board or by a hearing officer appointed by the Board. The Chair of the Board may compel, by subpoena, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and records. All witnesses shall be examined under oath. The Board shall adopt rules with reference to appeals, which shall not be inconsistent with this chapter. The rules shall provide for reasonable notice to parties, and an opportunity to be heard and be represented by counsel. (c) The Board or the hearing officer shall issue written findings of fact. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer’s findings shall be reported to the Board, and the Board shall approve the findings and adopt them as the findings of the Board unless good cause is shown for disapproving them. Whether the findings are made by the Board, or by a hearing officer and adopted by the Board, the Board shall enter its order based on the findings. (d) After the fair hearing, the Board may affirm, modify, or reverse decisions of the Agency; it may determine whether an alleged delay was justified; and it may make orders consistent with this title requiring the Agency to provide appropriate relief including retroactive and prospective benefits. The Board shall consider, and shall have the authority to reverse or modify, decisions of the Agency based on rules that the Board determines to be in conflict with State or federal law. The Board shall not reverse or modify Agency decisions that are determined to be in compliance with applicable law, even though the Board may disagree with the results effected by those decisions. (e)(1) The Board shall give written notice of its decision to the person applying for fair hearing and to the Agency. (2) Unless a continuance is requested or consented to by an aggrieved person, decisions and orders concerning Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) under 33 V.S.A. chapter 11, TANF-Emergency Assistance (TANF-EA) under Title IV of the Social Security Act, and medical assistance (Medicaid) under 33 V.S.A. chapter 19 shall be issued by the Board within 75 days after the request for hearing. (3) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (c) or (d) or subdivision (1) of this subsection (e) to the contrary, in the case of an expedited Medicaid fair hearing, the Board shall delegate both its fact-finding and final decision-making authority to a hearing officer, and the hearing officer’s written findings and order shall constitute the Board’s decision and order in accordance with timelines set forth in federal law. (f) The Agency or the appellant may appeal from decisions of the Board to the Supreme Court under V.R.A.P. 13. Pending the final determination of any appeal, the terms of the order involved shall be given effect by the Agency except insofar as they relate to retroactive benefits. (g) A party to an order or decree of the Board or the Board itself, or both, may petition the Supreme Court for relief against any disobedience of or noncompliance with the order or decree. In the proceedings and upon such notice thereof to the parties as it shall direct, the Supreme Court shall hear and consider the petition and make such order and decree in the premises by way of writ of mandamus, writ of prohibition, injunction, or otherwise, concerning the enforcement of the order and decree of the Board as shall be appropriate. (h)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (f) of this section, the Secretary shall review all Board decisions and orders concerning TANF, TANF-EA, Office of Child Support Cases, Medicaid, and the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. The Secretary shall: (A) adopt a Board decision or order, except that the Secretary may reverse or modify a Board decision or order if: (i) the Board’s findings of fact lack any support in the record; or (ii) the decision or order misinterprets or misapplies State or federal policy or rule; and (B) issue a written decision setting forth the legal, factual, or policy basis for reversing or modifying a Board decision or order. (2) Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (f) of this section, a Board decision and order concerning TANF, TANF-EA, Office of Child Support, Medicaid, and the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall become the final and binding decision of the Agency upon its approval by the Secretary. The Secretary shall either approve, modify, or reverse the Board’s decision and order within 15 days of the date of the Board decision and order. If the Secretary fails to issue a written decision within 15 days as required by this subdivision, the Board’s decision and order shall be deemed to have been approved by the Secretary. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (f) of this section, only the claimant may appeal a decision of the Secretary to the Supreme Court. Such appeals shall be pursuant to V.R.A.P. 13. The Supreme Court may stay the Secretary’s decision upon the claimant’s showing of a fair ground for litigation on the merits. The Supreme Court shall not stay the Secretary’s order insofar as it relates to a denial of retroactive benefits. (i) In the case of an appeal of a Medicaid covered service decision made by the Department of Vermont Health Access or any entity with which the Department of Vermont Health Access enters into an agreement to perform service authorizations that may result in an adverse benefit determination, the right to a fair hearing granted by subsection (a) of this section shall be available to an aggrieved beneficiary only after that individual has exhausted, or is deemed to have exhausted, the Department of Vermont Health Access’s internal appeals process and has received a notice that the adverse benefit determination was upheld. Added 1973, No. 101, § 5; amended 1989, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.); 1989, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), § 9(a); 1993, No. 105, § 1; 1999, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 2007, No. 15, § 6; 2007, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2009, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § I.9; 2015, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § E.304; 2017, No. 210 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. June 1, 2018; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2023, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § C.104, eff. May 23, 2024.

3 V.S.A. § 3092a Appeals from Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind and Visually Impaired

3092a. Appeals from Divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind and Visually Impaired (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 3091(a) of this title relating to fair hearings before the Human Services Board, appeals concerning benefits or services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended shall be to the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as appropriate, rather than the Human Services Board so long as federal law requires that final decisions be made by the Director of that Division. (b) Prior to making a final decision, the Director shall hold a hearing to give the applicant an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence. (c) When federal law no longer requires that final decisions be made by the Director of that Division, such appeals shall be to the Human Services Board as provided in subsection 3091(a) of this title unless federal law requires another method for hearing appeals. Added 1985, No. 117 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 16, 1986; amended 1989, No. 219 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.

3 V.S.A. § 3094 Office of Child Support

3094. Office of Child Support (a) The Office of Child Support is created within the Department for Children and Families and shall be designated the IV-D agency for purposes of Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act. (b) The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Human Services subject to section 3054 of this title. Added 1989, No. 221 (Adj. Sess.), § 12; amended 1999, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 9.

3 V.S.A. § 3097 State Youth Council

3097. State Youth Council (a) Creation. There is created within the Department of Health the State Youth Council (Council) to advise the Governor and the General Assembly on issues affecting young persons in Vermont. (b) Membership. The Council shall be composed of not more than 28 Vermont resident youths between 11 and 18 years of age at the time of appointment. The interagency workgroup Youth Services Advisory Council shall appoint members from an applicant pool with a focus on prioritizing diversity and inclusion, including characteristics such as county of residence, gender identity, racial identity, disabilities, age, and other characteristics identified by the applicants. The Youth Services Advisory Council shall appoint a minimum of one resident youth from each State county. (1) The Department of Health shall assist the Youth Services Advisory Council in notifying the public regarding the opportunity for youths to serve on the Council, and the Youth Services Advisory Council shall accept applications for service on the Council. The application process should emphasize the need for diverse, qualified candidates. A successful candidate must demonstrate: (A) a commitment to inclusion and the youths of the State; and (B) the ability to work with others and listen to others. (2) The Youth Services Advisory Council shall appoint members to the Council for three-year staggered terms and shall strive to appoint Council members who represent a variety of youths in the State. The Youth Services Advisory Council shall consult with members of youth advocacy groups concerning initial appointments to establish the Council and then shall consult with the Council regarding appointments for all subsequent terms. (3) The Council shall elect a chair from among its members. (4) The Council shall establish an Executive Committee, ad hoc committees as needed, and the following standing committees: (A) the Youth Voice Committee; (B) the Education Committee; (C) the Equity and Anti-Racism Committee; (D) the Climate Change Committee; and (E) the Youth Mental Health Committee. (c) Powers and duties. (1) The Council may: (A) meet at least one time per month; (B) hold up to four public hearings annually in order to take testimony on issues affecting Vermont youths; (C) gather input from Vermont youths through surveys or polls; and (D) evaluate the State’s progress in reaching the population-level outcomes set forth in section 2311 of this title and recommend to the Joint Committee on Government Accountability any revisions to the population-level indicators for those outcomes the Council finds necessary to better reflect data that impacts Vermont youths. (2) The Council shall provide advice to the Governor and the General Assembly on policy changes necessary to improve the lives of Vermont youths. (A) The Governor shall meet annually with the Council to hear and receive the Council’s advice and recommendations on policies that impact the youths of Vermont. (B) The Council shall annually report its advice and recommendations to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Government Operations and to any other standing committees it deems appropriate. The report may be in verbal form. (C) The Council shall annually report its advice and recommendations to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Government Operations and to any other standing committees it deems appropriate on the preservation of Vermont’s traditions and the future of Vermont’s rural character, activities, and professions. (D) The Council shall annually report its advice and recommendations to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs and the Senate Committee on Government Operations and to any other standing committees it deems appropriate on the participation of young persons in Vermont’s economy and keeping young Vermonters in the State. (d) Assistance. The Council shall have the administrative, technical, and legal assistance of the Department of Health to assist with Council-directed activities, including: (1) assisting with meeting scheduling and logistical support; (2) providing information technology support; and (3) providing any technology or technological devices necessary for the Council to perform its duties. (e) Support. The Council shall also have support from the Youth Services Advisory Council. (f) Attending meetings. (1) Members of the Council may attend Council meetings by electronic or other means without being physically present at a designated meeting location as permitted under 1 V.S.A. § 312(a)(2). (2) The General Assembly finds that such virtual meeting attendance is particularly expedient for Council members from remote areas of the State to participate in meetings, but also encourages Council members to be physically present at meeting locations when possible due to the importance of in-person interaction. (g) Compensation and reimbursement. Members of the Council shall be entitled to per diem compensation and reimbursement of expenses as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for not more than 16 meetings per calendar year. For purposes of this subsection, “meetings” includes public hearings. These payments shall be made from monies appropriated to the Department of Health. Added 2021, No. 109 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 11, 2022; amended 2023, No. 6, § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.

3 V.S.A. § 3098 Service-Supported Housing Advisory Council

3098. Service-Supported Housing Advisory Council (a) The Service-Supported Housing Advisory Council is created for the purpose of identifying opportunities for increased alignment between human services programs and policies serving individuals who receive Medicaid-funded Developmental Disability Services and housing capital and support services programs. (b) The Advisory Council shall be overseen by the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living and shall be composed of the following individuals: (1) one member, appointed by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board; (2) the Secretary of Human Services or designee; (3) the Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living or designee; (4) the State Treasurer or designee; (5) the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or designee; (6) two members, appointed by the Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative; (7) the Executive Director of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council or designee; (8) two members, appointed by Green Mountain Self-Advocates; and (9) one member, appointed by Vermont Care Partners. (c)(1) The Advisory Council shall meet at least monthly. (2) The Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living shall convene the first meeting of the Advisory Council, during which the Advisory Council shall elect a chair from among its members. (d) The Advisory Council shall have the administrative, technical, and legal assistance of the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. (e) When requested by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Advisory Council shall provide advice to the Board regarding the expenditure of funds for the production of permanently affordable housing for individuals who are eligible to receive Medicaid-funded Developmental Disability Services. (f)(1) The Advisory Council shall report annually on or before November 15 to the House Committees on General and Housing and on Human Services and the Senate Committees on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs and on Health and Welfare regarding: (A) administrative and programmatic reforms carried out to better align support-services and housing development programs and policies, including examples of projects or progress enabled by those changes; (B) a housing needs assessment for individuals served by the Developmental Disabilities Services System of Care, including a summary of the number of units and an overview of the types of housing needed to support this population; (C) activities undertaken pursuant to this section; and (D) recommendations for future legislative action and funding sources, including actionable recommendations for changes in State laws or policies that are obstacles to the creation of housing needed by individuals who are eligible to receive Medicaid-funded Developmental Disability Services. (2) The provisions of 2 V.S.A. § 20(d) (expiration of required reports) shall not apply to the annual report to be made under this subsection. (g) Members of the Advisory Council who are not otherwise compensated for their time shall be entitled to per diem compensation as permitted under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for meetings of the Advisory Council. Payments to members of the Advisory Council authorized under this subsection shall be made from monies appropriated to the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s base budget. Added 2025, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2026.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/03/053Fetched: 10/21/2026