AARP Vermont 2025 Legislative Agenda

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. We advocate on issues that affect residents at the local, state, and national levels.

In Vermont, AARP represents 112,000 members from all 14 counties and walks of life. AARP Vermont’s legislative advocacy work serves these members by making Vermont a better place to live and age.

We invite you to join us in advancing AARP Vermont’s 2025 Legislative Agenda. Please email Colin Hilliard, Advocacy Director, at chilliard@aarp.org to learn more and get involved.

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IMPLEMENT AGE STRONG VT, OUR ROADMAP FOR AN AGE-FRIENDLY STATE
Age Strong VT is a new, ten-year state plan that serves as a roadmap for state agencies and lawmakers, business owners, social service agencies, town and city planners, and the healthcare industry, to build a coordinated and efficient system of services. Its overarching goal is to enhance and secure the right for all Vermonters to age safely and happily while maintaining dignity and respect.

AARP Vermont supports the policy objectives and funding needs outlined in the plan to ensure Vermont becomes an age-friendly state. In 2025, AARP Vermont supports implementing a strategic network model to invite more partners and interested Vermonters to join this important work.

STABILIZE AND INVEST IN VERMONT'S LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM
Long-term care services support older adults and Vermonters with disabilities who need support to perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating or bathing. These services enable Vermonters to age in their homes and communities, resulting in positive health and wellness outcomes and savings to the healthcare system.

Chronic underfunding and workforce shortages have compromised Vermonters’ access to these essential services. AARP Vermont supports making substantial investments to stabilize Vermont’s long-term care system and annual updates to providers’ reimbursement rates, to keep pace with inflation, changing market pressures, and increases in the cost of care. Specifically, AARP Vermont supports the SFY26 budget to include full implementation of the increase for home-based Choices for Care services and Enhanced Residential Care described in the February 15, 2023 DVHA rate study, updated to accurately reflect inflation.

STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS TO PREVENT ELDER FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND FRAUD
Consumer fraud is soaring, and fraud crimes can have significant impacts on the financial security of older Americans. Consumer protections are crucial for older adults as they often face unique circumstances making them targets for fraud and exploitation. AARP Vermont supports legislative efforts to better protect consumers from scams and fraud through legislative solutions that focus on prevention, intervention, and recovery.

>Cryptocurrency Kiosks
Dozens of cryptocurrency kiosks or crypto ATMs are located across the state. Unregulated, they can be utilized as a payment method in a variety of scams.

Last year, the legislature passed an AARP-supported bill that became the state’s first law regulating cryptocurrency kiosks but more can be done to protect consumers. In 2025, AARP Vermont will work with the Department of Financial Regulation and Legislature to monitor the implementation of the new bill and advocate for additional consumer protections.

INCREASE HOUSING CHOICE AND AFFORDABILITY FOR AGING IN COMMUNITY
Increasing housing choice and affordability in Vermont’s downtowns and village centers is critical to providing older adults with options to age in their community and foster independence. AARP Vermont supports promoting these goals through zoning reform, incentives for Vermont municipalities, tax incentives for developing age-specific housing, increased funding for HomeShare Vermont to allow for statewide service, and policies that encourage universal design standards in new housing stock.

EXPAND AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
A variety of safe, affordable, dependable, and accessible travel options enables people of all ages to work, stay active, and engage in their communities. Well-designed roads help to extend many older adults’ safe driving years, and at the same time, make it possible to travel by foot, bicycle, or public transit safely.

AARP Vermont supports a variety of regulatory and budget changes to realize this transportation vision. This includes: implementing new funding mechanisms for Green Mountain Transit to ensure its long-term stability and investments in rural transit options, supporting municipalities in planning and implementing Complete Streets; exploring the potential to restructure the Class 1 Town Highway formula; updating regulations to better protect bicyclists and pedestrians; and investing in the Better Connections Program, the Downtown Transportation Fund, and the Bike/Ped Grant Program.