VermontH.9312025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to miscellaneous changes in education law

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

School bullying council gains support and funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Secretary of Education provides administrative support to the harassment, hazing, and bullying prevention council. The Council meets 4 to 12 times yearly, advises on prevention and response, and seeks input each year. It reports to the House and Senate Education Committees by January 15 each year. It reviews the Secretary's model policies every three years, beginning in 2026. The law provides a one-time $21,000 General Fund appropriation to the Agency of Education for fiscal year 2027. That money funds authorized member meeting pay and expense reimbursement, limited to 12 meetings per year.

Vermont colleges coordinate sexual harm prevention

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law sets membership, duties, and operating rules for the Intercollegiate Sexual Harm Prevention Council. It shares campus prevention and response practices, programs promoting respect, and training opportunities. Members include Title IX coordinators or designees from each Vermont-chartered college with a physical Vermont campus, plus prevention staff and advocates. Other members include law enforcement, prosecutors, legal defenders, a sexual assault nurse examiner, and students, including a survivor and a racial-justice representative. The Council meets at least twice yearly, first by November 15, 2026, and elects public- and private-campus co-chairs. A majority forms a quorum; member meeting pay and expenses can come from money appropriated to the Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Energy contracts can cover facility additions

Beginning July 1, 2026, energy performance contracts can include qualifying facility additions as cost-saving measures. An addition must be designed to reduce energy consumption and operating costs, or increase facility operating efficiency. It must also be cost effective and meet applicable State Board rules.

School workers can reuse recent checks

Beginning July 1, 2026, an earlier criminal-record check can generally satisfy a required check. Reuse is not allowed after one year or more without work for a covered Vermont education employer. Covered employers are Vermont school districts, recognized or approved independent schools, and the Agency of Education. When earlier results cannot be reused, the required check process applies.

Education agency hires face safety checks

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Vermont Agency of Education must screen recommended hires and contractors who may have unsupervised student contact. Checks cover criminal records, the Child Protection Registry, and the Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Registry. Applicants must sign a release and provide fingerprints; the Agency pays fingerprinting and FBI processing fees. The Agency provides applicants their criminal records, explains how to challenge errors, and explains record-retention and recheck policies. The law allows ongoing rechecks and bars Agency employment for applicants convicted of sex offenses requiring registration under Vermont law.

School approval pause protects therapeutic transfers

The State Board of Education cannot grant new initial independent-school approvals until the Legislature gives further direction. An ownership change at an approved therapeutic independent school is exempt when it requires a new initial-approval application. The school must be approved when ownership changes and must remain therapeutic afterward. The Agency and Board process that application under applicable state and federal law. A therapeutic school's tax-status change or conversion to nonprofit status does not, by itself, revoke approval.

Vermont shares education research and costs

Vermont adopts an interstate education compact supporting shared research, policy advice, information, and financing proposals through the Education Commission of the States. The compact initially takes effect after at least 10 eligible jurisdictions join. Each state has seven voting members: its governor, two legislators, and four governor appointees. Where state law bars legislative service, six governor appointees serve instead; up to 10 national representatives can serve without votes for one-year terms. Each voting member has one vote; actions require a majority of all votes and a majority of members present. States share costs through a population-and-per-capita-income formula; spending must stay within available funds and state legislative allotments. The Commission can accept grants and donations but cannot pledge a state's credit. Annual accounting, audits, public access to accounts, and reports to governors and legislatures are required, including donor and grant disclosures. Compact amendments need two-thirds Commission approval and ratification by two-thirds of member-state legislatures. A state can withdraw with one year's written notice but remains responsible for earlier liabilities.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 11 • No: 19

Senate vote • 5/19/2026

Roll Call, requested by Senator Weeks, Failed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 11, Nays = 19