House Committee on Human Services Agenda

House Committee on Human Services

AGENDA

Room 46 and Zoom

January 13, 2026 - January 16, 2026

Last Updated 1/16/2026 1:25 PM

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-human-services.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

10:00 AM House Floor

Followed by mandatory training

After Floor Caucuses and Lunch

1:00 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Jennifer Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation

Emily Carr, General Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation

Sebastian Arduengo, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Financial Regulation

Nancy Hogue, Pharmacy Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont

1:30 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Amy Hornblas, Director, Vermont Stands Up

1:50 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Alison Despathy, Citizen, Danville

2:30 PM Break

2:35 PM H. 534 - An act relating to community action agencies

Walk-through and testimony

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Joshua Davis, Executive Director, Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA)

Lily Sojourner, Director, Office of Economic Opportunity, Department for Children and Families

3:05 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Michelle Wade, APRN, Nurse Practitioner, Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association

Betsy Hassan, RN, President, American Nurses Association Vermont

3:15 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Committee discussion

3:25 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Dr. Sandy Reider, Board Member, Health Choice VT

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

9:15 AM H. 534 - An act relating to community action agencies

Mark-up and potential vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

9:25 AM Break

9:35 AM H. 534 - An act relating to community action agencies

Discussion and vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

9:40 AM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Mark-up and discussion

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Jessica Schifano, Policy Director, Department of Health

Merideth Plumpton, Immunization Program Manager, Department of Health

10:30 AM Break

10:35 AM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Dr. Rick Hildebrant, MD, Commissioner, Department of Health

11:00 AM Break

11:10 AM Committee Discussion

Explanation of budget process

12:00 PM Lunch

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

3:00 PM House Floor

Followed by Caucus of the Whole

Thursday, January 15, 2026

9:00 AM Budget Adjustment Act

Review memo to House Appropriations

10:20 AM Break

10:30 AM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Committee discussion

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

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

Dr. 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

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Act 119 of 2024

Joint hearing with House Health Care. Meeting will be held in Room 11 of the Vermont State House

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Jenney Samuelson, Secretary, Agency of Human Services

Jaclyn Holden, Director of Performance and Improvement, Agency of Human Services

Ted Fisher, Principal Assistant and Communications Director, Agency of Human Services

3:00 PM House Floor

Friday, January 16, 2026

9:30 AM House Floor

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

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Discuss House Judiciary bill review

Rep. Martin LaLonde, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary

- H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Discussion

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

- Adjourn

ATTENTION WITNESSES

Please email handouts to the committee assistant at least 24 hours before your scheduled meeting time. With few exceptions, any documents you send to a committee assistant are open to the public and may be posted to the committee’s web page.

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If you have any questions or comments, please contact

Lori Morse at Lori.Morse@vtleg.gov