VermontRegulators would change licensing and practice rules for many professions
The measure would adjust licensing, enforcement, and practice rules for many regulated professionals and massage businesses, with multiple effective dates beginning June 8, 2026.
What it does
The measure would let regulators rescind some licenses, pursue attempted fraudulent or deceptive license use, and conduct background checks for certain professions.
The measure would set additional licensing paths and practice rules, including pharmacist authority for certain tests, treatments, and HIV-prevention medicines.
The measure would set registration and operating rules for massage establishments, adjust midwifery and funeral-service rules, and require a report on speech-language pathology assistants.
Argument forPharmacist authority for common tests, treatments, and HIV-prevention medicines could make some care easier to obtain for patients.
Argument againstLicense rescission and background-check provisions could create added risks or delays for professionals whose licenses or records are reviewed.
More detail
The Office of Professional Regulation would be able to rescind certain licenses and act against attempted fraudulent or deceptive license use. The provisions cover regulated professionals, people seeking licenses, and certain professions subject to criminal background checks. License rescission would apply to administrative errors, nonpayment, or loss of a compact license or privilege. The background-check authority would apply only to certain professions. The supplied text lists multiple effective dates beginning June 8, 2026, but does not give a separate date for each provision.
The measure would set rules for several professions, including accountant education and experience, a limited academic dentist license, APRN renewals, pharmacist prescribing, and psychologist licensing policies. The provisions affect accountants, dentists, advanced practice registered nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, and patients receiving the listed tests, treatments, or HIV-prevention medicines. Pharmacists would be able to prescribe, order, or give tests for COVID-19, influenza, and strep throat, along with follow-up drug treatment. Pharmacists would also be able to prescribe or order medicines that prevent HIV before or after exposure. The Office of Professional Regulation could use temporary policies for psychologist education requirements despite conflicting rules. The supplied text lists multiple effective dates beginning June 8, 2026, but does not identify the separate effective date for each professional provision.
The measure would change rules for midwives and funeral-service workers, require a report on speech-language pathology assistants, and regulate massage businesses. The provisions cover midwives, funeral-service professionals, massage establishments and their operators, and possible future speech-language pathology assistants. The midwifery practice-data requirement would depend on a decision by the Director of Professional Regulation. Funeral service would include disposing of human remains through cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction. Massage establishments would have registration, fees, operating requirements, and related unprofessional-conduct rules. The supplied text lists multiple effective dates beginning June 8, 2026, but does not identify the separate effective date for each provision.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
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 8, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 8, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 2, 2026To Governor
- May 21House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 19Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 19Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
- May 18Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- 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
- May 13New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 123rd reading ordered
- May 12Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations agreed toMinor
- May 12Reported favorably by Senator Westman for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Reported favorably by Senator Hardy for Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 12Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- May 12Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 12Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- May 12New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 8Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 8Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- May 8Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 5Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- May 5Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 5Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- May 5Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 24Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Apr 24Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Apr 24Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 24Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 19Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 17Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 17Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 13Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 13Report of Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, as amended, agreed to
- Mar 13Report of the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, as amended, amended as offered by Rep. Black of Essex, Berbeco of Winooski, Birong of Vergennes, Cina of Burlington, Critchlow of Colchester, Goldman of Rockingham, Lueders of Lincoln, and McFaun of Barre Town
- Mar 13Report of Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs amended as recommended by Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 13Rep. Mrowicki of Putney recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 13Rep. Branagan of Georgia recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 13Rep. Nugent of South Burlington reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
- Mar 13Read second timeMinor
- Mar 13Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 12Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 10Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- Mar 10Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Feb 19Referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)
- Feb 19Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 7Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsIntroduced
HealthcareConsumer ProtectionGovernment & Ethics