Senate to look at vaccines without parental consent, changing Fish and Wildlife Board, getting more nurses, and more.

By Michael Bielawski

The Crossover deadline on March 15 means bills need to be voted out of their committees soon if they are to continue a path toward becoming law. Senate bills under committee review this week include vaccines without parental consent, undoing the Fish and Wildlife Department, getting more nurses in Vermont, and more. Agendas published weekly on the Legislature’s website are subject to change. 

Vaccines without parental consent – S. 151 (Wednesday, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare) Sponsored by Sen. Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Chittenden.

Its text states, “A minor 12 years of age or older may consent to medical care by a licensed physician related to the prevention of a sexually transmitted infection.” This could be done without parental notification or consent.

Titled “An act relating to pay parity and transparency in healthcare” this bill does not mention vaccines specifically, instead saying referring to preventive medical care. Yet critics say the bill opens the door for vaccines – and all the health liabilities that come with them – to be chosen by a minor without consent from their parent or guardian.

Vermont Health Choice has concerns about the Gardasil shot for sexually transmitted diseases. Among numerous articles, they share a story of a mother who claims the shot is responsible for her daughter’s death.

Keep your cash – S. 175 – (Wednesday, Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs) Sponsored by Sen. Andrew Perchlik, D/P-Washington.

This bill proposes to require that retail businesses accept cash. It states that it will “prohibit a retail business from refusing to accept cash as payment unless the transaction exceeds $1,000.00.”

Some political pundits warn that a cashless society would mean ceding unprecedented control to the state. Substack writer Greg Reese wrote last year, “Once they get us off of cash and completely onto a digital system then the banks will have absolute control over each and every one of us.”

Redefining a livable wage – S. 246 (Wednesday, Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs) Sponsored by Sen. Alison Clarkson, D-Windsor, and others.

This bill is intended to “amend the statute governing the biennial report on Vermont’s basic needs budget and livable wage.”

What the legislature considers a liveable wage will impact their economic policies. The bill states, “This calculation may serve as an additional indicator of wage and other economic conditions in the State and shall not be considered official State guidance on wages or other forms of compensation.”

The bill doesn’t give a number for what constitutes a liveable wage but it does give more description. It states, “Livable wage” means “the hourly wage required in an urban or rural area for a full-time worker who lives in shared housing and has employer-assisted health insurance.”

Vote on public meetings without locations – S. 55 – (Tuesday, Senate Committee on Government Operations) Sponsored by Sen. Alison Clarkson, D-Windsor, and others.

There will be a vote on this bill that would authorize “public bodies to meet electronically under Vermont’s Open Meeting Law.” Director for CCTV Center for Media and Democracy Lauren-Glenn Davitian will be first among several speakers.

The board has already heard testimony from earlier this year from leaders in the media that to not offer a public location for a public meeting would violate Constitutional law.

The language in the bill does not specify whether “public bodies” means only municipal bodies or other larger state bodies or the legislature.

School finance discussion (Tuesday, Senate Panel on Ethics)

School finance is a hot-button issue as there is currently a 20% rise in property taxes forecasted for this year. The situation is dire enough that Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, was recently reported to have asked how “middle-class people, who are the heart and soul of our communities, can afford to live here?”

Three speakers from the Agency of Education are scheduled or invited to speak.

Vote on big changes for Fish and Wildlife Board? – S. 258 (Thursday, Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy) Sponsored by Sen. Christopher Bray, D-Addison, and others.

This bill proposes to “transfer the authority to adopt rules for the taking of fish, wildlife, and fur-bearing animals from the Fish and Wildlife Board to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill would also amend the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Board so that it serves in an advisory capacity to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. In addition, the bill would prohibit the hunting of coyote with dogs.”

There will be a vote – possibly today and definitely by Thursday, the committee agenda says. 

The Department and lawmakers were at odds over the regulation of trapping and coyote hunting, with some observers accusing lawmakers of putting their animal rights activism before their task to ensure best practices for hunting and trapping.

New declaration of human rights to protect transgender people – Prop 4 (Friday, Senate Committee on Judiciary) Sponsored by Sen. Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Chittenden, and others.

A “Declaration of rights; government for the people; equality of rights.” This will include “a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin.”

An earlier version of Prop 4 originally had religion included as a protected status for equal rights but lawmakers took it out, claiming religion is protected elsewhere in the Constitution.

Need more nurses – S. 263 (Thursday, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare) Sponsored by Sen. Wendy Harrison, D-Windham, and others.

This is to expand “Vermont’s health care workforce through graduates of international medical schools.” Vermont currently has 10.71 nurses per 1,000 in population, which is slightly better than the 9.22 national average.

How to care for the elderly? – S.231 (Wednesday, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare) Sponsored by Sen. Rebecca White, D-Windsor, and others.

This is to establish “a two-year pilot for one or more community nurse programs serving aging Vermonters.” Vermont is currently considered one of the oldest populations in the union, with 43-years-old being the average. Maine is the oldest with an average population of 45-years-old.

The right to collective bargaining – PR.3 (Wednesday, Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs)  Sponsored by Sen. Nader Hashim, D-Windham, and others.

This bill would “amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to provide that the citizens of the State have a right to collectively bargain.”

Legislative Counsel Damien Leonard will give a walkthrough and then there may be a vote.

The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle.