VermontH.4802025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to education law

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Tuition help for Vermont Guard members

VSAC pays tuition on behalf of Vermont National Guard members, if money is appropriated. The benefit equals UVM’s in‑state tuition at UVM and Vermont State Colleges, and equals the UVM in‑state rate at eligible Vermont private colleges. For training programs, VSAC pays the lower of the school’s tuition or UVM’s in‑state rate, and some out‑of‑state Title IV programs can be covered at the UVM rate if not offered in Vermont. You must sign an interest‑free promissory note and serve two years in the Guard for each full year of tuition covered (prorated for part‑time). If you leave early without good cause, you must repay a pro rata amount. Your total lifetime benefit is capped at twice UVM’s full‑time in‑state tuition for a bachelor’s degree.

Easier out‑of‑region CTE access

If your assigned CTE center does not offer the program you want, or you cannot enroll, you may apply to an out‑of‑region CTE program. Your sending district must pay tuition under an agreement with the receiving center. Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, a regional CTE center may provide transportation for out‑of‑region students. Sending districts must share limited directory information when programs are unavailable, denied, or wait‑listed.

School threat‑assessment teams and policies

Every district and approved independent school must have a behavioral threat‑assessment team by July 1, 2025 and run a full program by October 1, 2025. Schools must train staff, exercise emergency plans, and educate the school community. Each school must adopt a policy at least as strong as the Secretary of Education’s model. If a school does not adopt its own policy, the state model applies by default.

State‑backed virtual learning and pathways

The Agency of Education maintains access to a virtual learning provider. A Vermont public school or CTE student can enroll if virtual learning is in the student’s personalized plan, a licensed teacher supervises, and the coursework meets State standards. Districts count these students in average daily membership. The law clarifies that virtual learning can be live, self‑paced, or hybrid and use trained online teachers. Flexible Pathways resources must include, by grade 7, information on how to pursue military postsecondary options. Parts of this framework take effect July 1, 2025.

Stronger reading help in schools

Public and eligible approved independent schools that teach K–3 must give systematic, explicit, evidence‑based reading instruction. All public and eligible approved independent schools must give extra reading help to any K–12 student who is far behind or not making progress. Schools must inform and support parents using valid, reliable reading assessments.

Stronger school cardiac emergency plans

The Vermont School Safety Center keeps a statewide cardiac emergency plan template starting July 1, 2026. The template covers AED placement and upkeep, staff CPR/AED training, drills, and athletic emergency action plans. Schools must have site‑specific cardiac emergency plans ready for the 2026–2027 school year.

Student phone limits and messaging rules

The Secretary of Education creates a model policy that bans student use of personal phones and non‑school devices from arrival to dismissal, with narrow exceptions. Exceptions cover individualized health care plans, IEPs, 504 plans, limited administrator‑approved academic uses, and McKinney‑Vento needs. The Agency publishes the model by January 1, 2026, and schools must adopt equally strict policies by July 1, 2026 for the 2026–2027 school year. Schools may not directly message students on social media unless the platform is approved, archived, and prevents edits or deletions, and they cannot require students to use social media for out‑of‑school work, sports, or clubs.

Longer school energy contracts allowed

School districts may sign energy performance contracts for up to 20 years. Any work done under these contracts must meet all State and local building codes. Longer terms can help finance upgrades but create longer obligations in school budgets.

Clear school library selection rules

Each school board and approved independent school must adopt and publish a library material selection policy. Leaders must set procedures to reconsider and retain materials. Policies must support intellectual freedom, follow federal civil rights law and the 2024 Vermont Freedom to Read Statement, and reflect Vermont’s diverse people and history.

Colleges cleared for federal aid rules

Listed accredited Vermont colleges are treated as authorized only as needed to follow federal student aid rules. This helps students at those schools access federal financial aid. It does not change the schools’ charters or other recognitions.

Start‑up grants to form BOCES

The state offers a one‑time $10,000 grant to a supervisory union group that votes to explore forming a BOCES after July 1, 2024. Total funding is $70,000 from the Education Fund for fiscal year 2025, and unused money carries forward.

Pause on new approved independent schools

The State Board of Education cannot approve applications for initial approval of approved independent schools until the Legislature allows it. A therapeutic approved independent school that changes tax status or becomes a nonprofit keeps its approval status.

New bid rules for school meals

School boards must advertise or invite at least three bids for purchases from the nonprofit school food service account when costs exceed the federal simplified acquisition threshold for food or $25,000 for nonfood items. Towns may set a lower limit. This section does not apply to contracts to buy food from that account.

Faster search for Education Secretary

When a Secretary of Education vacancy is announced, the Governor must, within 30 days, send the State Board a letter with preferred qualifications. The State Board must begin a national search within 60 days after getting the letter. The Board may ask the Agency of Education for funds to use outside search help.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 49 • No: 91

House vote • 3/20/2025

Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 70 of 140 to Pass -- Yeas = 49, Nays = 91

Yes: 49 • No: 91 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

House message: Governor approved bill on June 27, 2025
6/16/2025Senate
Signed by Governor on June 27, 2025
6/16/2025House
Delivered to the Governor on June 23, 2025
6/16/2025House
House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
6/16/2025Senate
Rep. McCoy of Poultney moved to deliver the bill to the Governor forthwith, which was agreed to
6/16/2025House
Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
6/16/2025House
Rep. McCann of Montpelier asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment
6/16/2025House
Rep. McCann of Montpelier and Waszazak of Barre City moved to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment with a further amendment thereto
6/16/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/16/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/13/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/11/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/9/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/6/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/5/2025House
Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
6/2/2025House
Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/30/2025
5/30/2025House
Rep. Brady of Williston moved to postpone action until 5/30/2025, which was agreed to
5/29/2025House
Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025House
Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/28/2025House
Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/27/2025House
Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/27/2025Senate
Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/27/2025Senate
New Business/Third Reading
5/27/2025Senate
3rd reading ordered
5/23/2025Senate
Proposal of amendment agreed to
5/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

As Enacted (ACT 72)
7/3/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/18/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/18/2025
PDF
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/28/2025
PDF
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/28/2025
PDF
As Passed by the House
3/26/2025
PDF
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/26/2025
PDF
As Introduced
3/14/2025
PDF

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