VermontH.2182025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to fiscal year 2026 appropriations from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund

Sponsored By: Theresa A Wood (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More harm reduction and overdose prevention

Beginning July 1, 2025, $850,000 supports syringe services programs statewide. The state also sets aside $1.1 million to help Burlington open an overdose prevention center, if the city council approves a plan that meets state law and Health Department rules. Another $32,157 funds Brattleboro Fire Department trainings on naloxone, CPR, first aid, and bleeding control. These steps expand local overdose prevention and safer-use services in fiscal year 2026.

More outreach workers for addiction help

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state provides $1,976,000 to fund 26 outreach and case‑management staff in community programs. Staff meet people where they are—such as shelters and other community settings—to engage and connect them to care. This expands local help during fiscal year 2026.

More treatment help for justice involved people

Beginning July 1, 2025, $300,000 continues the Managed Medical Response Partnership to link justice‑involved people to care. $76,000 funds an outreach worker at Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform. $800,000 supports contingency management, with up to $35,000 for a Pathways Vermont pilot in Chittenden County for people under Department of Corrections supervision and the rest for provider grants. $50,000 trains judges statewide on opioid‑related issues and court strategies.

No prior approval for OUD meds

Beginning July 1, 2025, health plans cannot require prior authorization for medication to treat opioid use disorder when the dose is within FDA guidance. Plans also cannot require prior authorization for counseling or behavioral therapy tied to that medication. This removes delays and paperwork so treatment can start faster.

Recovery housing and shelter health support

Beginning July 1, 2025, $1.4 million supports certified recovery residences that provide sober housing and recovery supports. $800,000 funds long‑term shelter programs with harm‑reduction and clinical nursing. $44,229 continues wound care and preventive health in three low‑barrier shelters in Chittenden County. $550,000 funds four peer specialists at Northeast Kingdom Community Action to help people with opioid use disorder move from homelessness to permanent housing.

Job help for people in recovery

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state provides $850,000 to HireAbility Vermont to offer specialized employment services for people with opioid use disorder in Burlington, Newport, Rutland, and Bennington. This support helps job seekers in recovery connect to work during fiscal year 2026.

Stronger rules for opioid fund spending

Beginning July 1, 2025, the fund gives priority to reducing overdose deaths by expanding medication treatment (including for uninsured people), school and youth education, screening and referrals for uninsured pregnant people, up to 12 months of postpartum care, starting medication in emergency departments, and support for people leaving jail. The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee must consult people with lived experience and frontline workers, vote each year on spending, and send recommendations to the Health Department and the Legislature. The law adds a primary care prescriber seat to the Committee and requires meetings at least quarterly; the Health Commissioner must call the first meeting by June 30, 2025, and meetings must follow the Open Meeting Law. All grants funded here must collect and report outcome and measurement data to the issuing department and the Advisory Committee.

More local treatment and recovery services

Beginning July 1, 2025, $309,000 supports HCRS’s Project Connectionworks in Windham County. $150,000 expands opioid treatment in rural Windsor County. $30,000 funds an embedded recovery coach at Treatment Associates of Washington County. $20,824 supports Umbrella’s integrated domestic and sexual violence and recovery services in northeastern Vermont. These local grants expand frontline help during fiscal year 2026.

More youth and parenting supports

Beginning July 1, 2025, $200,000 funds counselors at the Basement Teen Center in Washington County. $100,000 supports intervention and harm‑reduction services for youth in Bellows Falls. $170,000 adds two positions at Spectrum Youth and Family Services to expand screening, treatment, and case management in Chittenden and Franklin Counties. $80,000 funds Prevent Child Abuse Vermont to teach parenting skills and provide social and emotional supports for parents with opioid use disorder.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Theresa A Wood
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 206 • No: 82

House vote • 3/28/2025

Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 72 of 143 to Pass -- Yeas = 119, Nays = 24

Yes: 119 • No: 24 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/27/2025

Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 73 of 145 to Pass -- Yeas = 87, Nays = 58

Yes: 87 • No: 58 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

House message: Governor approved bill on May 13, 2025
5/14/2025Senate
Signed by Governor on May 13, 2025
5/13/2025House
Delivered to the Governor on May 7, 2025
5/7/2025House
House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/2/2025Senate
Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/1/2025House
Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/1/2025House
Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/30/2025House
Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/29/2025House
Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
4/25/2025Senate
Pending third reading, Senator Lyons proposal of amendment, agreed to
4/25/2025Senate
New Business/Third Reading
4/25/2025Senate
3rd reading ordered
4/24/2025Senate
Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Appropriations
4/24/2025Senate
Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Health and Welfare
4/24/2025Senate
Read 2nd time
4/24/2025Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations
4/24/2025Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare
4/24/2025Senate
New Business/Second Reading
4/24/2025Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations
4/23/2025Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare
4/23/2025Senate
Second Reading
4/23/2025Senate
Entered on Notice Calendar
4/23/2025Senate
Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
4/17/2025Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare
4/17/2025Senate
Second Reading
4/17/2025Senate

Bill Text

As Enacted (ACT 16)
5/20/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/6/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/6/2025
PDF
Senate Proposal of Amendment
4/29/2025
PDF
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
4/29/2025
PDF
As Passed by the House
4/1/2025
PDF
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
4/1/2025
PDF
As Introduced
2/13/2025
PDF

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