An act relating to transforming Vermont’s career technical education system
Sponsored By: Kesha K Ram Hinsdale (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier work protections for crime survivors
Beginning June 18, 2026, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking can qualify as crime victims under the amended employment law. They can provide records from a court, law enforcement, another government agency, an assistance program, or a professional who helped them. Survivors can instead provide their own statement, with no extra proof unless another law requires it. This expands access to work protections tied to crime-victim status.
Fewer contract limits for healthcare providers
For agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2026, certain restrictions on Vermont healthcare providers are void and unenforceable. This covers employment, partnerships, and other professional relationships involving healthcare services in Vermont. Banned terms include limits on where or for how long providers can practice after leaving, and on notifying former patients about job changes. The law also bars specified limits on negative statements, terms conflicting with Vermont law, and requirements to litigate Vermont disputes out of state. Employers cannot retaliate against employees for using these rights. A narrow exception allows territorial limits on opening a business under nonclinical support contracts where a different third-party company provides those services.
Age-based retirement rule ends for tenured employees
Beginning June 18, 2026, colleges no longer have this specific legal permission to retire unlimited-tenure employees at age 70. The repealed rule also allowed colleges to keep those employees working without tenure at the college's discretion. The repeal does not guarantee continued employment or create a retirement benefit.
Career and academy credits count toward graduation
Beginning June 18, 2026, schools must count State Board-approved career technical education credits or demonstrated skills toward graduation. Schools cannot change the credits, skills, or grades earned, and state rules must allow career and academic courses to fit together. Credits must also meet requirements above state minimums when needed to take career courses and graduate with the student's class. The high school board decides how they apply; students can appeal to the Secretary, who must favor career education participation. For students attending the Vermont Academy for Science and Technology through the specified state program, their former Vermont high school must apply academy credits, demonstrated skills, and grades toward graduation when the student, parent, or guardian requests it.
Wider career training access for Vermont students
The law directs Vermont to reshape career technical education around universal access, including introductory courses. It calls for earlier exposure in middle school and the first two high school years, while addressing transportation, scheduling, and awareness barriers. Admissions policies must be consistent, while allowing program-specific readiness, course order, and safety requirements. Students cannot be denied or waitlisted for lack of space when a suitable alternative program meets their study goals and program requirements; state-level funding or coordination must provide transportation. Programs can use sending high schools, hybrid classes, shared resources, and technology while preserving quality, industry relevance, and needed equipment and facilities. Programs must align with Vermont job needs, continue local needs reviews, and use statewide labor-market research to assess workforce outcomes. The law calls for sustainable, student-centered funding that removes barriers to participation and supports growth, innovation, and flexible delivery. It directs consideration of diploma-granting career centers or comprehensive high schools; if that change is not feasible, sending schools must award center-recommended credits. Governance reforms must support regional cooperation, program quality, and transportation coordination, while maintaining strong adult retraining and workforce programs with consistent quality and sustainable funding. Beginning June 18, 2026, the State Board must review career education standards at least every five years and update them as needed.
Municipal officers lose employee status under subchapter
Beginning June 18, 2026, elected and appointed Vermont municipal officers are excluded from one labor-law subchapter's definition of employee. Those officers are outside that subchapter's rules that apply to employees. This does not remove employee status under all laws or create a new duty for municipal officers.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kesha K Ram Hinsdale
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Alison Clarkson
Democratic • Senate
Andrew J Perchlik
Democrat/Progressive • Senate
David H Weeks
Republican • Senate
Joseph "Joe" D Major
Democratic • Senate
Richard A Westman
Republican • Senate
Ruth E Hardy
Democratic • Senate
Seth Bongartz
Democratic • Senate
Wendy K Harrison
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 18, 2026
5/29/2026SenateSigned by Governor on June 18, 2026
5/29/2026SenateDelivered to Governor on June 12, 2026
5/29/2026SenateSenate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in
5/29/2026SenateRules suspended & ordered delivered to Governor forthwith, on motion of Senator Lyons
5/29/2026SenateAs passed by Senate and House
5/29/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment concurred in
5/29/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment; text
5/29/2026SenateConsideration resumed
5/29/2026SenateConsideration postponed on motion of Senator Lyons
5/29/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment
5/29/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment
5/28/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/28/2026SenateHouse message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
5/27/2026HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/27/2026HouseRead third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/27/2026HouseRules suspended and bill placed in all remaining stages of passage as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/27/2026HouseThird Reading ordered
5/27/2026HouseReport of Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, as amended, agreed to
5/27/2026HouseRep. Bartley of Fairfax, Krasnow of South Burlington, and Mihaly of Calais moved to amend the report of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, as amended, which was agreed to
5/27/2026HouseReport of Committee on Commerce and Economic Development amended as recommended by Committee on Education
5/27/2026HouseRep. Kascenska of Burke recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
5/27/2026HouseRep. Conlon of Cornwall reported for the Committee on Education
5/27/2026HouseRep. Marcotte of Coventry reported for the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
5/27/2026HouseRead second time
5/27/2026House
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 177)Opens in a new window
6/22/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/5/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/5/2026
House Proposal of Amendment
5/28/2026
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/28/2026
As Passed by the Senate
3/19/2026
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/19/2026
As Introduced
1/23/2026
Related Bills
S.328, An act relating to housing and common interest communities
S.325, An act relating to regional planning and Act 250 Tier jurisdiction
S.323, An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects
S.326, An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to laws relating to motor vehicles
S.327, An act relating to economic development
S.278, An act relating to cannabis