Senate Committee on Health and Welfare

 

AGENDA

 

Room 17 and Zoom

February 17, 2026 - February 20, 2026

Last Updated 2/13/2026 1:22 PM

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-health-and-welfare.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

9:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

10:30 AM                   S. 26 - An act relating to prohibiting certain artificial dyes in foods and beverages served or sold at school

Scott Fay, Child Nutrition Director, Essex Westford School District

Laura La Vacca, Director of Food Services, Burlington School District

Mark Holodick, Superintendent - Invited

Tom Flanagan, Superintendent, Burlington School District - Invited

Stephanie Gates, President, School Nutrition Association of Vermont - Invited

 

11:30 AM                   S. 243 - An act relating to distributing funds to the Vermont Language Justice Project

Mark-Up and Possible Vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

-                                   S. 210 - An act relating to access to autopsy reports

Mark-Up and Possible Vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

-                                   S. 206 - An act relating to licensure of early childhood educators by the Office of Professional Regulation

Possible Vote

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

9:00 AM                   S. 64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office

Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office

 

10:30 AM                   S. 197 - An act relating to establishing a primary care payment reform program

Elliott Fisher, Professor of Medicine and Health Policy, The Dartmouth Institute

 

11:30 AM                   S. 206 - An act relating to licensure of early childhood educators by the Office of Professional Regulation

Vote

 

11:50 AM                   Compass Pathways

Tess Bettler, Compass Pathways

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Thursday, February 19, 2026

9:00 AM                   S. 157 - An act relating to recovery residence certification

Mark-Up and Possible Vote

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

9:30 AM                   S. 249 - An act relating to hospital collaboration and state action immunity

Walk-Through

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

10:00 AM                   Rare Diseases Day

Carolyn Sheridan, National Organization for Rare Disorders

 

10:15 AM                   Adjourn

 

10:30 AM                   Joint Assembly

Elect VSC Trustees and Adjutant and Inspector General

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Friday, February 20, 2026

9:00 AM                   S. 190 - An act relating to the Green Mountain Care Board, reference-based pricing, and hospital outsourcing of clinical care

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Owen Foster, J.D., Chair, Green Mountain Care Board - Invited

M.D. Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society - Invited

 

11:30 AM                   Senate Floor