VermontFunds opioid and substance-use programs for fiscal year 2027
Beginning July 1, 2026, state funds support opioid and substance-use services, while agencies and advisers follow new spending, review, and syringe-recovery instructions.
What it does
Fiscal year 2027 funding supports opioid-use-disorder services, staff, recovery coaches, and recovery housing. Some earlier appropriations return to the fund, and the Health Department must report spending quarterly.
Up to $1.1 million may be considered for an overdose prevention center during fiscal year 2027, but only if a site is secured, prepared, and operating or nearly ready.
Most new opioid-fund proposals would be paused in fiscal year 2028 while previously funded programs are reviewed. An exception covers programs expected to receive annual funding.
The Health Department must recommend statewide syringe-recovery models by December 15, 2026. Fiscal year 2027 funding also supports substance-use services and requires yearly spending estimates.
Argument forMore funding for recovery services, staff, and housing could help people find treatment and support after opioid use.
Argument againstPausing most new proposals in fiscal year 2028 could delay funding for programs that do not fit the annual-funding exception.
More detail
The act provides fiscal year 2027 money from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund for opioid-use-disorder programs, services, and staff. Funding may support outreach and case management staff, peer recovery center coaches, recovery residence beds, and other opioid-use-disorder programming. The money comes from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund. The Department of Health must report quarterly to the General Assembly on fiscal year 2027 spending. Earlier appropriations for satellite locations, wound care, and stabilization beds return to the Special Fund. These funding and reporting provisions apply to fiscal year 2027, beginning July 1, 2026.
The General Assembly is directed to consider up to $1.1 million for an overdose prevention center during the fiscal year 2027 budget adjustment process. The possible funding concerns an overdose prevention center in Vermont. Funding depends on finding that a location has been obtained, is being prepared for use, and is operating or will soon operate. The text states that the General Assembly intends to consider the funding; it does not guarantee that the money will be provided. The funding would be considered during the fiscal year 2027 budget adjustment process.
The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee must stop accepting most new Special Fund proposals in fiscal year 2028 and review previously funded programs. The restriction covers new proposals seeking money from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund, with an exception for programs that earlier law expected to receive annual funding. The review must consider program results, long-term sustainability, and whether the Special Fund is the appropriate funding source. The review will help guide recommendations for fiscal year 2029 and later. The committee must consult the Health Equity Advisory Commission and the Attorney General, and applicants must provide sustainability plans for funding proposals. The proposal restriction applies in fiscal year 2028; the reviews inform recommendations for fiscal year 2029 and later.
The Department of Health must submit a statewide syringe-recovery plan, and the act provides fiscal year 2027 money for substance-use-disorder programs and services. The plan must address one or more syringe-recovery models and reporting by syringe-service providers on returned or otherwise collected syringes. The Health Department must include recommendations for implementing the models throughout Vermont. The department must report proposed spending from the Substance Misuse Prevention Special Fund in its yearly budget presentation, including expected money left unallocated at year-end. The syringe-recovery plan is due December 15, 2026; the funding applies to fiscal year 2027, beginning July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 16, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 16, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 10, 2026To Governor
- May 27House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
- May 22Committee of Conference report adopted (House bill)Major
- May 22Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 22Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
- May 22Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
- May 22Committee of Conference report adopted
- May 22Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator Lyons for Committee, text
- May 22Committee of Conference report
- May 21Committee of Conference report
- May 21Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 19Senate Message: Committee of Conference members appointed
- May 19Committee of Conference appointed: Senators Lyons, Gulick, and Benson
- May 19House message: House refused to concur in Senate proposal of amendment & requested Conference Committee; House Conference Committee members appointedMinor
- May 15Rules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 15Speaker appointed Reps. Wood of Waterbury, Maguire of Rutland City, and Bluemle of Burlington as members of the Committee of Conference on the part of the House
- May 15Senate proposal of amendment not concurred in and Committee of Conference requested upon motion of Rep. Wood of WaterburyMinor
- May 15Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
- May 15Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 14Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 13Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Pending third reading, motion to amend Senate proposal of amendment disagreed to on roll call, requested by Senator Collamore, Failed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 12, Nays = 18. Result: fail.Upper
- May 13Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Collamore
- May 13Pending third reading, motion to amend Senate proposal of amendment disagreed to on roll call, requested by Senator Collamore, Failed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 12, Nays = 18Minor
- May 13Consideration resumed
- May 13Consideration postponed without objection
- May 13Proposal of amendment by Senator(s) Ingalls; textMinor
- May 13Pending third reading, Senator Norris, Baruth, Brennan, and Perchlik proposal of amendment, agreed toMinor
- May 13New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 123rd reading ordered
- May 12Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare, as amended, agreed toMinor
- May 12Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare amended as recommended by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Appropriations with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 12Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Lyons for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 12Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 12Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 8Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 8Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 7Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 7Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 7New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 6Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 6Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 6Second ReadingMinor
- May 6Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 1Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- May 1Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 1Second ReadingMinor
- May 1Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 25Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 20Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 20Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 19Report of Committee on Human Services, as amended, agreed to
- Mar 19Report of Committee on Human Services amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 19Rep. Bluemle of Burlington recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 19Rep. Maguire of Rutland City reported for the Committee on Human Services
- Mar 19Read second timeMinor
- Mar 19Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 18Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Feb 17Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- Feb 17Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 13Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human ServicesIntroduced
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