Vermont's Commissioner to issue free placards for volunteer drivers transporting individuals with disabilities.

Two witnesses told the committee that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should not be housed in a proposed forensic facility under S.193, arguing competency is generally not restorable for this population and urging higher service rates, clinical expertise, and other community supports instead.

H.861 would create an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator in state government to centralize ADA compliance, provide training and audits, and assist municipalities; advocates testified on access gaps while counsel explained hiring and funding questions remain.

Susan Aronoff of the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 25 that draft bill language for a forensic competency-restoration facility risks capturing people who cannot be restored to competency, urged excluding those groups, and called for independent oversight in light of past Woodside failures.

Representative Elizabeth reintroduced H.861 asking the state to designate an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator — a post she said federal law requires for public entities with 50 or more employees — and urged the committee to authorize one full-time position and grievance procedures to ensure consistent compliance.

Residents and an advocacy director told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee that a 15‑day disconnect window and rigid payment‑plan rules can leave people with disabilities without life‑supporting electricity. Witnesses urged medical exemptions and income‑based assistance.

The House appropriations hearing reviewed the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s $829,747,105 FY27 proposal and emphasized the department’s exposure to federal policy because about 88% is Global Commitment (Medicaid)-funded. Committee members pressed staff on staffing changes, technical adjustments and caseload pressures.

The House Appropriations Committee reviewed the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living’s FY2027 proposal, which shows a gross increase of about $31 million driven largely by caseload and utilization in Choices for Care and developmental services; DAIL flagged federal funding uncertainty and reinvestment issues.

Disability advocates, tenant‑help staff and providers told the Committee on General and Housing that rising rents, scarce housing stock and shrinking supports have left people with disabilities and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities at heightened risk of homelessness; witnesses urged targeted investments and durable oversight.

The House Appropriations Committee reviewed the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s BAA request, which includes a $30.3M net increase and an Emergency Financial Relief request of $14.5M for nursing-home pressures; DALE warned of workforce, capacity and financial instability across long-term care.

New legislation permits free fishing licenses for qualifying Vermont residents with developmental disabilities.

Vermont committee addresses potential consequences of federal labor recommendations for disabled individuals.