An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 3 mixed.
Returning nursing assistants must pass exams
Beginning July 1, 2025, nursing assistants renewing expired or lapsed licenses after fewer than five years away must pass competency exams. The exams must be approved by the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. Anyone who fails must repeat a nursing assistant education program and the exam. The law does not state training or exam costs.
Electrology shops pay lower renewal fees
Beginning July 1, 2025, electrology shops pay $200 for each two-year renewal instead of the otherwise applicable $275. That saves a shop $75 per renewal.
Hair schools must teach textured hair care
Beginning July 1, 2025, barbering and cosmetology schools seeking state approval must include training on textured hair. Lessons cover care, styling, treatment, products, tools, hair health, and scalp care. Schools must also teach cultural understanding and history.
Racing businesses leave professional licensing system
Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont repeals its motor vehicle racing professional regulation chapter. Racing is also removed from the professions attached to the Office of Professional Regulation. People and businesses in racing are no longer subject to that chapter's requirements.
Prepaid funeral buyers lose escrow safeguards
Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont removes requirements for rules providing an escrow agent to receive prepaid funeral money. The law also repeals statutory duties for prepaid funeral expense escrow agents. These changes remove specified safeguards for people who pay ahead for funeral services. They do not impose a new buyer fee.
Higher fees for professional license applicants
Beginning July 1, 2025, professional license verification costs $30, up from $20. Covered apprenticeship applications cost $50, while applications to add a specialty or endorsement to an existing license cost $100. A pre-application determination fee no longer counts toward the fee when that person later applies for a license. Boards may also charge renewal fees for years when a license was lapsed. Those charges depend on the board's fee schedule.
Peer support providers pay higher renewal fees
Beginning July 1, 2027, peer support providers and peer recovery support specialists pay $75 for each two-year renewal. The previous fee was $50, so each renewal costs $25 more.
Professional penalties rise and complaints become public
Beginning July 1, 2025, the maximum civil penalty for practicing or allowing unauthorized professional practice rises from $2,500 to $5,000. This applies when the Attorney General or an assigned regulation-office attorney seeks only a civil penalty. A finding of unprofessional conduct also triggers a $250 surcharge, paid into the Professional Regulatory Fee Fund. A public complaint register provides limited information about all complaints and more detail when complaints lead to discipline. Confidentiality limits still apply.
State service revenue funds office operations
Beginning July 1, 2025, a new Secretary of State Services Fund receives covered revenue to support office operations. Professional regulation revenue and revenue collected under a separate statutory exception are excluded. The Secretary may earn revenue from optional services, including one-time and subscription data sales. Year-end balances not committed to spending transfer to the General Fund. A report identifying categories of data sold is due December 1, 2025.
Vermont funds mental health licensing oversight
Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont creates one permanent, full-time officer position to oversee regulation of mental health professions. The law provides $170,000 from the General Fund in fiscal year 2026 for the position. The Office of Professional Regulation also uses a different statutory process to review whether professional regulation remains necessary. That process change alone does not alter anyone's license, eligibility, or fee. The law also directs a study of possible regulation of massage therapy establishments; it does not itself establish that proposed system.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 11, 2025
6/13/2025HouseSigned by Governor on June 11, 2025
6/11/2025HouseDelivered to Governor on June 5, 2025
6/5/2025HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/30/2025SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/30/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, text
5/30/2025SenateRules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment
5/30/2025SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/30/2025SenateHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment
5/29/2025HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/29/2025HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as amended
5/29/2025HouseWhich was agreed to
5/29/2025HouseRep. James of Manchester and Sibilia of Dover moved to amend the amendment
5/29/2025HouseRep. Birong of Vergennes, Coffin of Cavendish, Hango of Berkshire, Hooper of Burlington, Morgan, M. of Milton, Nugent of South Burlington, Pinsonault of Dorset, and Stone of Burlington moved to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment with a further amendment thereto
5/29/2025HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/28/2025HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/23/2025SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/23/2025SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/23/2025SenateNew Business/Third Reading
5/23/2025Senate3rd reading ordered
5/22/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations, as amended, agreed to
5/22/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations
5/22/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 58)Opens in a new window
6/18/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/17/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/17/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/27/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/27/2025
As Passed by the House
4/1/2025
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
4/1/2025
As Introduced
3/12/2025
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