Scott allows anti-ICE lawsuit bill to become law

By Guy Page

Why are so many more teens homeless?

H.657, giving more state services and personal empowerment to unaccompanied (homeless) youth, is up for a review and possible vote Thursday morning in Senate Health & Welfare. 

Supporters of the bill point to a July, 2025 report citing a 92.9% rise in unaccompanied youth in five years. Today VDC asked sponsor Jubilee McGill (D-Bridport, on House Human Services) to explain the jump. #1 reason – there are more homeless families. When (for example) a family leaves the winter hotel/motel program, teens may not opt to live in a tent with mom and/or dad. Instead they couch surf with friends or pursue other options. 

McGill’s explanation for the cause of more homeless families is simple: Vermont’s housing shortage and the general affordability problem hits these families first, and hardest. 

But another member of House Human Services says that doesn’t tell the whole story. Many teens live in relatively stable housing yet still want to live independently from their parents. This bill makes that choice more possible – the detriment of both children and parents, Rep. Brenda Steady (R-Milton) told VDC today. “My concern is that it will separate children from their parents,” she said. 

Senate Health & Welfare also will take testimony, and likely vote, on H.938, ‘establishing the Vermont Homeless Response Continuum.” This bill makes permanent the programs and funding for numerous services to homeless individuals and families, including funding for the ‘homeless hotel’ program – albeit far less than during the height of the program’s use and expense during the Covid era.

Primary care access public hearing – The Vermont House Committee on Health Care will hold a public hearing on access to primary care Thursday, April 30 5-7 PM. in Room 11 of the State House. Those interested in testifying may attend the hearing in person or virtually. The Committee will take testimony on access to primary care and invites individuals to share their experiences, recommendations, and insights to inform members as they consider legislation related to primary care. 

Anyone interested in testifying must sign up in advance of the hearing through this online form no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 29. For those planning to testify, instructions on how to access and participate in the hearing will be sent the morning of the hearing. Each participant will be given 2.5 minutes to testify. 

Scott allows anti-ICE lawsuit bill to become law without signature – Governor Phil Scott Monday, April 27 allowed a bill permitting lawsuits against federal officers to pass into law without his signature. 

“ I’m concerned about the constitutionality of this policy and other well-intentioned proposals, which may give Vermonters false hope,” Scott said in a letter to the General Assembly explaining his decision. 

Scott signed these bills:

• H.237, An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists
• H.508, An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington
• H.549, An act relating to eligibility of sentenced or detained individuals to obtain a State-issued nondriver identification card, replacement operator’s license, or replacement learner’s permit
• H.744, An act relating to procedures for release after arrest
• H.917, An act relating to military affairs

When signing H.237, Governor Scott sent the following letter to the General Assembly:

Today I signed H.237, an act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists.

I support the idea of expanding the scope of doctoral-level psychologist licensing to increase access to care. Mental health, like physical health, is an area where the need outpaces the number of available qualified providers. So, we must try creative approaches to address the issues of access and cost Vermonters face in our current health care system.

I appreciate the safeguards this bill puts in place with additional training requirements and the requirement for prescribing psychologists to work with collaborating psychiatrists to ensure clinical safety and accountability.  However, it’s unfortunate the experts at the Department of Mental Health, who could have shared important perspectives on public health and safety, were not asked to testify on H.237 prior to passage. I urge the Board of Psychological Examiners to consult closely with the Department of Mental Health regarding rulemaking.

I also advise adding a report on the status of this effort in 2030 and 2031 as well as the single statutory date of 2032; and adding an assessment of clinical and health outcomes for patients treated by doctoral-level psychologists as a component of the review for an update to necessary qualifications.

Alternatively, the Legislature should revisit this bill and address these important considerations. 

Scott allowed H.849, An act relating to a civil action for damages for deprivation of federal constitutional rights by any government official to become law without his signature and sent a letter to the General Assembly:

Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, H.849, an act relating to civil action for damages for deprivation of federal constitutional rights by any government official, will become law without my signature. 

While I feel it’s important to preserve and protect the Constitutional rights of all Americans and appreciate this bill seeks to hold government officials accountable in state court when a remedy may not be available under federal law, I’m concerned about the constitutionality of this policy and other well-intentioned proposals, which may give Vermonters false hope. 

Having said that, the Attorney General has advised they feel the bill is defensible, so I’m allowing it to become law without signature, and we’ll see if this, and similar measures enacted in other states hold up in court.