Senate Committee on Health and Welfare

 

AGENDA

 

Room 17 and Zoom

April 7, 2026 - April 10, 2026

Last Updated 4/10/2026 9:31 AM

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

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

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

9:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

10:00 AM                   H. 660 - An act relating to fiscal year 2027 Opioid Abatement Special Fund appropriations

Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Shayla Livingston, MPH, Principal Assistant, Department of Health

Gail Zatz, Advocate

Jessica Schifano, Policy Director, Department of Health

Meg Larraine, Action Circles

 

11:30 AM                   Committee Budget Discussion

Mike Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate, Vermont Legal Aid

 

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

9:00 AM                   H. 46 - An act relating to the Rare Disease Advisory Council

Mark-Up

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Carolyn Sheridan, National Organization for Rare Disorders

Sharon Radtke, Person with Lived Experience

Ilisa Stalberg, Family and Child Health Director, Department of Health

Sydney Williamson-White, Department of Health

Jessica Schifano, Policy Director, Department of Health

 

9:45 AM                   Bill Review

S.210 Review

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

9:50 AM                   H. 611 - An act relating to miscellaneous provisions affecting the Department of Vermont Health Access

Courtney Harrness, Director of Legislative and Government Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont

Stephanie Ibey, Pharmacist, Medical Drug Benefit Programs

Charles Becker, Staff Attorney, Office of the Health Care Advocate, Vermont Legal Aid

Sebastian Arduengo, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Financial Regulation

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

Lauren Bode, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES, Legislative Liaison, Vermont Pharmacists Association (VPA)

 

10:30 AM                   H. 938 - An act relating to establishing the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum

Introduction and Walk-Through

Rep. Eric Maguire, Sponsor

Rep. Jubilee McGill, Sponsor

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

11:50 AM                   American Heart Association

Tina Zuk, Government Relations Director, American Heart Association

Maureen Boardman, Clinician, Little River Health Care

Mary Kate Mohlman, Director of Public Policy, Bi-State Primary Care Association

Stephanie Pinard, Community Resource Director, People's Health & Wellness Clinic

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Thursday, April 9, 2026

9:00 AM                   H. 814 - An act relating to neurological rights and the use of artificial intelligence technology in health and human services

Mike Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate, Vermont Legal Aid

Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society

Sean Pauzauskie, M.D., Medical Director, Neurorights Foundation

Ashley Collins, J.D., Legal Advisor, Neurorights Foundation

Dr. Rick Barnett, Psy.D., LADC, Vermont Psychological Association

 

9:45 AM                   H. 237 - An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists

Amendment Review

Sen. Randy Brock, Amendment Sponsor

 

10:00 AM                   H. 816 - An act relating to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services

Dr. Rick Barnett, Psy.D., LADC, Vermont Psychological Association

Lynn Currier, LICSW, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Vermont Chapter

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

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

 

10:40 AM                   H. 938 - An act relating to establishing the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum

Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

Kristin McClure, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Human Services

Sandi Hoffman, Commissioner, Department for Children and Families

 

11:30 AM                   Rural Health Transformation Grant

Jill Mazza Olson, Medicaid and Health Systems Director, Agency of Human Services

Sarah Rosenblum, Interim Director, Office of Health Care Reform

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Friday, April 10, 2026

9:00 AM                   H. 577 - An act relating to establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

Introduction and Walk-Through

Rep. Wendy Critchlow, Reporter

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

Peter Trombley, Director of Legislative Affairs, Office of the State Treasurer

David Scherr, Deputy Treasurer, Office of the State Treasurer

 

10:00 AM                   S. 194 - An act relating to designated and specialized service agency payment methodology

Budget Language

Simone Rueschemeyer, Executive Director, Vermont Care Partners

Amy Johnson, Government Affairs & Communications Director, Vermont Care Partners

Emily Hawes, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health

Dr. Jill Bowen, Commissioner, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living

Jennifer Garabedian, Director, Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living

 

11:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

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.

 

Should you require accessibility services, please click here and note that requests should be made 48 hours in advance of testimony.

 

 

 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact

 Calysta Koppenhaver at Calysta.Koppenhaver@vtleg.gov