H.594

An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Sponsors: Rep. Eric Maguire , Rep. Theresa Wood

Location: House Committee on Human Services

Last Recorded Action: 1/7/2026 - Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services

Committee Activity - Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
1:20 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Bill introduction

Rep. Eric Maguire, Bill Sponsor
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H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Walk-through

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
11:00 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Effects of Homelessness on Emergency Medical Services

Kristen Bond-Watts, Emergency Department Nurse, Porter Medical Center
Julie Vieth, Medical Director, Emergency Services, University of Vermont Medical Center
Amanda Meltsner, Patient Access Navigator ED, University of Vermont Medical Center
11:30 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Effects of Homelessness on Transportation

Chris Herrick, Director of Emergency Management, Agency of Transportation
Friday, January 16, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
10:45 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Melissa Battah, Executive Director, Vermont Interfaith Action
Beth Ann Maier, Christ Episcopal Church, Montpelier
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
10:45 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Mike Doenges, Mayor, Rutland City
11:15 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Use of libraries as day shelters

Wendy Hysko, Director, Brownell Library
1:15 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Review of durational residential requirement principles

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
10:40 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Jenna O'Farrell, Executive Director, Northeast Kingdom Community Action
Paul Dragon, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
1:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Review 2025 Point-in-Time Count

Chad Simmons, Director, Housing and Homeless Alliance of Vermont
2:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Jonathan Farrell, Executive Director, Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS)
Angus Chaney, Executive Director, Homeless Prevention Center, Rutland
Julie Bond, Co-Executive Director, Good Samaritan Haven, Barre
Roxanne Carelli, Executive Director of Operational Development and Shelter Services, Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless
Jeanne Montross, Executive Director, Helping Overcome Poverty's Effects (HOPE)
Amy Shollenberger, Lobbyist, Action Circles, Vermont Community Action Partnership
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
1:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

AHS Housing Initiative
The Committee will meet in Room 11 from 1:00 -3:30.

Sandi Hoffman, Interim Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
Kristin McClure, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Human Services
2:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

AHS Housing Initiative - Department of Health

Rick Hildebrant, Commissioner, Department of Health
Emily Trutor, Director of Substance Use Disorders, Department of Health
Shayla Livingston, Principal Assistant, Department of Health
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H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

AHS Housing Initiative - Vermont Chronic Care Initiative

Renee Weeks, Director of Complex Care & Field Services, Agency of Human Services
Jill Bowen, Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
Angela Smith-Dieng, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
Samantha Sweet, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
Kristen Briggs, Director of Mental Health Services, Department of Mental Health
Emily Hawes, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
Kristin Calver, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Corrections
Travis Denton, Chief of Operations, Department of Corrections
Jill Moore, Housing Program Administrator, Department of Corrections
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
9:30 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Norman Croteau, Person with Lived Experience
Tamara Hodge, Person with Lived Experience
Ernest Cormia, Person with Lived Experience
10:20 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Committee Discussion

1:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Alex Karambelas, Policy Advocate, ACLU of Vermont
Jessica Radbord, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Vermont
2:25 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Matt Lawless, Town Manager, Shelburne
Friday, January 30, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
11:20 AM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Thom Simmons, Executive Director, Neighborhood Connections
1:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Kathleen Berk, Executive Director, Vermont State Housing Authority
Elizabeth Bacon, Director of Housing Program Administration, Vermont State Housing Authority
Kim Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer, Cathedral Square
Deanna Hartog, Poverty Law Fellow, Vermont Legal Aid
2:30 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Brenda Siegel, Executive Director, End Homelessness Vermont
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
1:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Paul Dragon, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)
Chad Simmons, Director, Housing and Homeless Alliance of Vermont
Julie Bond, Co-Executive Director, Good Samaritan Haven, Barre
Brenda Siegel, Executive Director, End Homelessness Vermont
2:30 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Erin Jacobsen, Chief of Staff, Burlington Mayor's Office
2:45 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Kate Logan, Director, Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
3:00 PM

H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
Pollaidh Major, Director of Policy and Special Projects, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
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H.594 - An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Committee discussion