H.657 (Act 136)

An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Sponsors: Rep. Jubilee McGill , Rep. Angela Arsenault, Rep. Daisy Berbeco, Rep. Doug Bishop, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Rep. Bridget Burkhardt, Rep. Conor Casey, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Esme Cole, Rep. Anne Donahue, Rep. Abbey Duke, Rep. Troy Headrick, Rep. Rebecca Holcombe, Rep. Saudia LaMont, Rep. Kate Logan, Rep. Michael Mrowicki, Rep. Herb Olson, Rep. Gayle Pezzo, Rep. Barbara Rachelson, Rep. Chloe Tomlinson, Rep. Edward Waszazak

Last Recorded Action: 5/29/2026 - House message: Governor approved bill on June 15, 2026

Committee Activity - Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
9:00 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Walk-through

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
10:15 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Committee discussion

1:00 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Matthew Bernstein, Director, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
Lauren Higbee, Deputy Advocate, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
2:10 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Marshall Pahl, Deputy Defender General and Chief Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office
Peter Trombley, Director of Legislative Affairs, Office of the State Treasurer
Friday, February 27, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
11:20 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
11:40 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Aryka Radke, Deputy Commissioner, Family Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Lindy Boudreau, Juvenile Justice Director, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Hannah Marble, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department for Children and Families
Tyler Allen, High-End System of Care Director, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Brenda Gooley, Operations Director, Family Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Amanda Churchill-Kipp, Policy and Practice Specialist, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Megan Smeaton, Financial Director, Department for Children and Families
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
9:05 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Tim Lueders-Dumont, Executive Director, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
1:00 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Michelle Fay, Executive Director, Voices for Vermont's Children
Kate Bailey, Senior Policy Advocate, Voices for Vermont's Children
Favor Ellis, Executive Director, Elevate Youth Services
Trisha Wright, Family Engagement Specialist, Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union
Nicole Aversano, Family Engagement Specialist, Mount Anthony Union High School
Rafaela Botti, Youth Voice Committee Member, Vermont State Youth Council
2:25 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Mark-up

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
8:30 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Mark-up

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Aryka Radke, Deputy Commissioner, Family Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Tyler Allen, High-End System of Care Director, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Matthew Bernstein, Director, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
10:25 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Mark-up and potential vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Tyler Allen, High-End System of Care Director, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Heather McLain, Revenue Enhancement Director, Department for Children and Families
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
8:30 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Mark Anderson, Sheriff, Past President, Vermont Sheriffs' Association
1:10 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Matthew Bernstein, Director, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Ways and Means
10:37 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Jon Gray, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
11:45 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

vote

Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Judiciary
11:15 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Bill Review

Rep. Anne B. Donahue, House Committee on Human Services
Rep. Jubilee McGill, House Committee on Human Services
Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Kim McManus, Legislative, Policy and Records Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Adam Necrason, Lobbyist, Vermont Association for Justice
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Appropriations
3:15 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Walk through

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Judiciary
11:30 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Witness Testimony

Kim McManus, Legislative, Policy and Records Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Adam Necrason, Lobbyist, Vermont Association for Justice
Friday, March 20, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Appropriations
9:55 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Committee discussion

Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
10:50 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Committee discussion and vote

Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Rep. Theresa Wood, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
8:30 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Review proposed amendment

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Judiciary
-

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Amendment

Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor, House Committee on Judiciary
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
2:30 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Proposed amendment

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Rep. Angela Arsenault, Sponsor, House Committee on Judiciary
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
10:30 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Walk-Through and Fiscal Note

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Hannah Marble, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department for Children and Families
Aryka Radke, Deputy Commissioner, Family Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Miranda Gray, Deputy Commissioner, Economic Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Friday, April 17, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
9:00 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Lauren Higbee, Deputy Advocate, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
Jon Gray, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Rafaela -, Member, Vermont Youth Council
Fiona -, Youth Advocate, Vermont
Kate Bailey, Senior Policy Advocate, Voices for Vermont's Children
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Heather McLain, Revenue Enhancement Director, Department for Children and Families
Christina Brown, Chief Programs Officer, Spectrum Youth and Family Services
Rep. Jubilee McGill, Bill Sponsor
Rep. Daniel Noyes, Sponsor
Tyler Allen, High-End System of Care Director, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Friday, April 24, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
10:00 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Mark-Up

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Renee McGuinness, Policy Analyst, Vermont Family Alliance
Willa Farrell, Community Justice Unit Director, Attorney General's Office
Kim McManus, Legislative, Policy and Records Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Mark Anderson, Sheriff, Past President, Vermont Sheriffs' Association
Matthew Bernstein, Director, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
Aryka Radke, Deputy Commissioner, Family Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Tyler Allen, High-End System of Care Director, Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
9:45 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Matthew Bernstein, Director, Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate
Laurel Omland, Adolescent and Family Unit Director, Department of Mental Health
Aryka Radke, Deputy Commissioner, Family Services Division, Department for Children and Families
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
11:50 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Floor Amendment

Jon Gray, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Finance
2:00 PM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Walk-through and vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Committee(s):
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
9:50 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Amendment discussion

Sen. Steven Heffernan, Sponsor
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
9:30 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Review Senate proposal of amendment

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Jon Gray, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Committee(s):
House Committee on Human Services
9:45 AM

H.657 - An act relating to various programming and requirements within the Department for Children and Families

Straw poll