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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

Rep. Eric Maguire , Rep. Theresa Wood
House Committee on Human Services
1/7/2026 - Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services
Sponsor(s)
Location
House Committee on Human Services
Last Recorded Action
House 1/7/2026 - Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services
Bill/Resolution Text

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

Detailed Status

Regular Session 2025-2026
Body Date Journal Calendar Location Full Status
An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Roll Call History

Regular Session 2025-2026
Body Date Journal Location Full Status

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Although procedurally bills and resolutions are assigned to only one committee at a time, other committees may review the bill or resolution. This page contains results from both the assigned committee as well as other committees.

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

Committee Meetings

Regular Session 2025-2026
Meeting Date Committee
An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

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
-

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
-

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
-

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


Committee Documents

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

Witnesses Who Testified

Regular Session 2025-2026
House Committee on Human Services
  • Elizabeth Bacon, Director of Housing Program Administration, Vermont State Housing Authority
  • Melissa Battah, Executive Director, Vermont Interfaith Action
  • Kathleen Berk, Executive Director, Vermont State Housing Authority
  • Julie Bond, Co-Executive Director, Good Samaritan Haven, Barre
  • Kristen Bond-Watts, Emergency Department Nurse, Porter Medical Center
  • Jill Bowen, Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
  • Kristen Briggs, Director of Mental Health Services, Department of Mental Health
  • Kristin Calver, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Department of Corrections
  • Roxanne Carelli, Executive Director of Operational Development and Shelter Services, Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless
  • Angus Chaney, Executive Director, Homeless Prevention Center, Rutland
  • Ernest Cormia, Person with Lived Experience
  • Norman Croteau, Person with Lived Experience
  • Travis Denton, Chief of Operations, Department of Corrections
  • Mike Doenges, Mayor, Rutland City
  • Paul Dragon, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)
  • Jonathan Farrell, Executive Director, Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS)
  • Kim Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer, Cathedral Square
  • Deanna Hartog, Poverty Law Fellow, Vermont Legal Aid
  • Emily Hawes, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  • Chris Herrick, Director of Emergency Management, Agency of Transportation
  • Rick Hildebrant, Commissioner, Department of Health
  • Tamara Hodge, Person with Lived Experience
  • Sandi Hoffman, Interim Commissioner, Department for Children and Families
  • Wendy Hysko, Director, Brownell Library
  • Erin Jacobsen, Chief of Staff, Burlington Mayor's Office
  • Alex Karambelas, Policy Advocate, ACLU of Vermont
  • Matt Lawless, Town Manager, Shelburne
  • Shayla Livingston, Principal Assistant, Department of Health
  • Kate Logan, Director, Vermont Coalition of Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
  • Rep. Eric Maguire, Bill Sponsor
  • Beth Ann Maier, Christ Episcopal Church, Montpelier
  • Pollaidh Major, Director of Policy and Special Projects, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  • Kristin McClure, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Human Services
  • Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Amanda Meltsner, Patient Access Navigator ED, University of Vermont Medical Center
  • Jeanne Montross, Executive Director, Helping Overcome Poverty's Effects (HOPE)
  • Jill Moore, Housing Program Administrator, Department of Corrections
  • Jenna O'Farrell, Executive Director, Northeast Kingdom Community Action
  • Jessica Radbord, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Vermont
  • Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  • Amy Shollenberger, Lobbyist, Action Circles, Vermont Community Action Partnership
  • Brenda Siegel, Executive Director, End Homelessness Vermont
  • Chad Simmons, Director, Housing and Homeless Alliance of Vermont
  • Thom Simmons, Executive Director, Neighborhood Connections
  • Angela Smith-Dieng, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
  • Samantha Sweet, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Mental Health
  • Emily Trutor, Director of Substance Use Disorders, Department of Health
  • Julie Vieth, Medical Director, Emergency Services, University of Vermont Medical Center
  • Renee Weeks, Director of Complex Care & Field Services, Agency of Human Services

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Fiscal notes and materials available on this web page are provided for informational purposes only, and may not comprise all materials received by the Vermont Legislature or the final fiscal information related to a specific bill.  The Legislature is not responsible for the accuracy of any information in these materials, and their posting does not constitute approval or endorsement by the Legislature.

No fiscal documents found for H.594 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
No committee of conference members found for H.594 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Committee of Conference Meetings

Regular Session 2025-2026
Meeting Date Committee
An act relating to establishing the Temporary Emergency Housing and Accountability Program and the Return Home Program in fiscal years 2027 and 2028

Committee of Conference Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026
No committee of conference meeting history found for H.594 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
No committee of conference report found for H.594 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.

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Act

No act information found for H.594 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.

Staff & Other Information

Staff
Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel

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