Vermont 2010 Health Policy Priorities

Bill Title	Bill Number	Summary	Status
An Act Relating To Health Care Financing And Universal Access To Health Care In Vermont	S-88	Would establish the joint legislative commission on state health care reform to propose at least three health system designs and implementation plans that meet the goal of providing universal access to health care through a public or private single-payer or multipayer system.	5/21/2010: Delivered to the Governor to sign.
An Act Relating To A Study Of Coverage Of Appropriate Services For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders	S-262	Would require health insurance plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for children, beginning at 18 months of age and continuing until the child reaches age six or enters the first grade.	5/21/2010: Delivered to the Governor to sign.
An Act Relating to Promoting Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports in Schools, Reducing the Use of Physical Restraint, and Prohibiting the Use of Other Behavioral Interventions	H-400	Would promote positive behavioral intervention and supports in schools, reduce the use of physical restraint, and prohibit the use of mechanical, chemical, and prone physical restraint and seclusion as methods of addressing challenging student behavior.	3/17/2009: Referred to the Committee on Education.
An Act Relating to Improving the Nutrition of Low-Income Children	S-118	Would maximize eligibility and simplify enrollment in 3SquaresVT (Food Stamps program) by implementing federal options in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.	3/17/2009: Referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
An Act Relating to Child Support for Children with Disabilities	S-212	Would allow the family court to extend child support beyond the age of 18 for an individual with significant physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.	1/5/2010: Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
An Act Relating To Absence From Work For Health Care And Safety	H-382	Would allow Vermont workers to accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 56 hours per year for full-time employees and a pro-rated amount for part-time workers. The bill calls also for safe days for victims of domestic violence.	3/17/2009: Referred to the Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs.
An Act Relating to Bisphenol A	S-247	Would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of infant formula or baby food stored in a plastic container, jar, or can that contains bisphenol A (BPA) and the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any reusable food or beverage container containing BPA.	5/19/2010: Signed by the Governor.