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Statewide mask mandate bill proposed

Guy Page
Rep. George Till (seen above calling for statewide masking in November) is among the sponsors of a statewide public places masking bill.

By Guy Page

A proposed bill would require everyone five years old and older to wear a mask in public indoor spaces located in counties with “high” or “substantial” community Covid-19 transmission level.

As written, H537 includes exceptions for religious worship, medical care, and sleeping children at childcare facilities. In November, a group of lawmakers – including many sponsors of H537 – asked Gov. Phil Scott to impose a statewide mask mandate in high transmission areas. He declined. With the Legislature back in session, they’ve turned the proposed executive action into legislation. 

Since the Legislature passed a municipal-option mask mandate in November, 92 towns have declined to enact a public-places mandate. 20 communities have adopted a public places mandate. 

Sponsors include: Vyhovsky of Essex, Cordes of Lincoln, Black of Essex, Bluemle of Burlington, Brady of Williston, Brown of Richmond, Burrows of West Windsor, Colburn of Burlington, Dolan of Essex, Elder of Starksboro, Goldman of Rockingham, Houghton of Essex, Mulvaney-Stanak of Burlington, Nicoll of Ludlow, Rachelson of Burlington, Sims of Craftsbury, Small of Winooski, and Till of Jericho. None are Republicans. Most are Progressives or liberal Democrats. 

H537 and other bills released for introduction are published below. 

H.548An act relating to miscellaneous cannabis establishment procedures
H.547An act relating to exempting students from standardized assessments in public schools
H.546An act relating to racial justice statistics
H.545An act relating to per diems for boards and commissions
H.544An act relating to leveling Vermont Route 22A
H.543An act relating to regulation of wetlands in the State
H.542An act relating to establishing riparian protection areas in the State
H.541An act relating to establishing the Victims Services Advisory Council within the Center for Crime Victims Services
H.539An act relating to youth banking by minors in foster care
H.538An act relating to the establishment, ownership, and operation of a cemetery by a nonprofit college or university
H.537An act relating to a statewide mask mandate
H.536An act relating to the Vermont Uniform Power of Attorney Act
H.535An act relating to judicial nominations and appointments
H.534An act relating to sealing criminal history records
H.533An act relating to converting civil forfeiture of property in drug-related prosecutions into a criminal process
H.532An act relating to the Rare Disease Advisory Council
H.531An act relating to supported housing options for individuals served through the developmental services waiver
H.530An act relating to creating the Vermont Silver Alert Program
H.529An act relating to situational surveillance at birth
H.528An act relating to tax benefits for home study programs
H.527An act relating to tax relief for Vermonters
H.526An act relating to adding electric vehicle supply equipment to Vermont’s energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment
H.525An act relating to roadside memorials
H.524An act relating to preventing sprawl through municipal zoning
H.523An act relating to reducing hydrofluorocarbon emissions
H.522An act relating to automobile insurance and aftermarket parts
H.521An act relating to the Vermont basic needs budget
H.520An act relating to creating the Office of Native American Affairs
H.519An act relating to indemnification of employee legal expenses
H.518An act relating to the creation of the Municipal Fuel Switching Grant Program
H.517An act relating to the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program
H.516An act relating to increasing asset limits for Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled
H.515An act relating to banking, insurance, and securities
H.514An act relating to creating a uniform local share of sales and use tax revenue
H.513An act relating to expanding criminal threatening to include threats to third persons
H.512An act relating to modernizing land records and notarial acts law
H.511An act relating to promoting housing in Vermont’s centers
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