That's a Wrap on Vermont's Legislative Session!

Vermont’s 2024 Legislative Session will come to close after a short veto session in late June. This year, Vermont lawmakers and advocates worked tirelessly to address the many challenges facing our communities.

These efforts produced legislation that will make Vermont a better place to live and age. We are pleased to share information on some of these bills with you.

We have more work to do in 2025 and beyond for Vermonters aged 50 and older, and their communities. Please join us in celebrating these successes and our continued advocacy.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO VERMONT’S MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM
SIGNED INTO LAW

The Medicare Savings Program reduces low-income Vermonters’ out-of-pocket Medicare costs by helping pay for Part B premiums and cost-sharing. The income limits for the program are extremely low, leaving many Vermonters with Medicare without this critical support and unable to afford the health care they need.

Vermont lawmakers voted to significantly increase the income thresholds for the Medicare Savings Program, eliminating the “Medicare cliff.” By drawing down federal funds, an estimated 12,000 more Vermonters will be eligible for the program, offering them an estimated $48.1 million in savings and benefits each year.

INVESTMENTS IN VERMONT’S LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM
SIGNED INTO LAW

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. Thankfully, Vermont lawmakers included a 3% increase for long-term care providers in the FY25 state budget. Lawmakers also included an $82,000 appropriation to support the creation of a new Adult Day Center in central Vermont.

While further investment is needed to stabilize Vermont’s long-term care system, this increase will support access to critical long-term care services for us, our neighbors, and our families.

SUPPORTING FAMILY CAREGIVERS WITH PAID FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE (H.66)
PASSED BY THE HOUSE

Vermont’s 70,000 family caregivers are the backbone of a broken long-term care system, providing $1.23 billion in unpaid labor each year. A strong paid family and medical leave program, as outlined in H.66, would offer critical support to Vermonters as they juggle the demands of their work and caring for a loved one, welcoming a new child, or recovering from a health crisis.

The Vermont House of Representatives passed H.66 with a strong majority in 2023. Unfortunately, H.66 did not get full consideration in the Senate in 2024. We look forward to continuing advocacy on paid leave and other support for Vermont’s family caregivers next year.

EXPANDING AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
SIGNED INTO LAW

A variety of safe, affordable, dependable, and accessible travel options enables people of all ages to work, stay active, and engage in their communities. Vermont lawmakers passed legislation, including the transportation “T” bill and S.309, to support this vision.

This year, the “T” bill will require the Vermont Agency of Transportation to update and modernize the state’s road design standards – supporting the state and municipalities in considering needs of all road users when designing and executing transportation projects (“Complete Streets”). The bill also includes important investments in Green Mountain Transit, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and e-bike access.

Another bill, S.309, includes enhanced definitions to protect vulnerable users on the roadway, including an updated definition of ‘pedestrian’ that includes wheelchair users. We will monitor implementation of these changes.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH THE BETTER PLACES PROGRAM (H.687)
COMPONENTS SIGNED INTO LAW

Vibrant, inclusive, and accessible public spaces are critical to addressing social isolation among older adults and fostering intergenerational opportunities. The Better Places Program is a state grant program that provides important funding opportunities to community-led projects that create a new public space or revitalize or activate an existing public space.

Despite its positive impact, the program was set to sunset in June 2024. This year, Vermont lawmakers removed the sunset language and established Better Places as a permanent program in statute.

The program still lacks the sustained funding needed to ensure its long-term viability and success. We look forward to future advocacy to strengthen Better Places and support its community development goals.

PROTECTING VERMONTERS FROM CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS (H.659)
SIGNED INTO LAW

The usage of cryptocurrency ATMs in scams has grown exponentially. Bad actors are increasingly seeking payments for fraudulent schemes in cryptocurrency, as these transactions do not pass through a bank or other institution that might flag suspicious activity.

These machines look and operate like bank ATMs, but are not yet regulated in many states. While they are used for legitimate purposes as well, their use in scams concerns us.

This year, Vermont lawmakers passed new cryptocurrency regulations to protect Vermonters from devasting scams and fraud. These include a daily transaction limit of $1,000, the right to a receipt, limiting fees, and the requirement for kiosk operators to be licensed with the state.