Legislative Update
Devon Green,
VP Government Relations
Legislative Update
Workplace Violence: S.36, the workplace violence bill, has passed both the House and the Senate and is going to the governor’s desk. Thank you to all the health care providers who contacted legislators—they heard you. I especially want to highlight and thank all of our witnesses. Your testimony was heart-wrenching, and it made the case for S.36 undeniable:
Danielle Boudro, Director of Progressive Care Unit, Northwestern Medical Center
Alison Davis, MD, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, Rutland Regional Medical Center
Tom Dee, President and CEO, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Patricia Johnson, Emergency Department RN, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Matt Looft, BSN, RN, CEN, Charge Nurse, UVM Medical Center
Jill Maynard, RN, Director of Nursing for the ED and ICU, SVMC
Marc Sacco, RN, ED Manager, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
Ryan Sexton, MD, ED Medical Director, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
Ben Smith, MD, Director of ED, Central Vermont Medical Center
S.36 is just one step in addressing workplace violence. VAHHS will be working with VPQHC over the summer and fall to determine what resources are needed and what recommendations should be made to the legislature next year. We will also be collecting data on how S.36 is being used to determine whether certain populations are disproportionately impacted as perpetrators or victims and developing a standardized policy with the Law Enforcement Advisory Board to clarify law enforcement response to assault of a health care worker.
I want to thank our legislators in both the Senate and the House for supporting this important legislation. I also want to express appreciation to our most ardent champions on this bill: Senator Dick Sears, Senator Ginny Lyons and Rep. Mari Cordes.
Most importantly, thank you to all those who get up and go to work every day to care for your communities despite the threat of violence. You are valued, and we will change this.
Forensic Unit: The House Judiciary Committee advanced S.89, which establishes a forensic unit within the nine-bed wing of the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital as residential care. The bill requires the Department of Mental Health propose rules for the forensic unit regarding the administration of involuntary medication and emergency involuntary procedures. The bill also creates a working group to determine if the forensic unit is appropriate for individuals with intellectual disabilities who are involved with the criminal justice system. The House will likely vote on the bill next week.
Sneak peak of 2024…
Psychedelics: The House Judiciary Committee was introduced to H.371, which decriminalizes psilocybin and establishes a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Working Group. Given the late date, this bill likely won’t get any traction until next year.
Overdose Prevention Center: The House Human Services Committee continues to look at harm reduction strategies for drug use with H.72. The bill allows for the operation of overdose prevention centers.