VermontVermont law directs rare disease advice and long COVID resources
Vermont’s Rare Disease Advisory Council advises state officials, while the Health Department shares long COVID resources and recommends disability supports to lawmakers.
What it does
The Rare Disease Advisory Council advises Vermont officials about the needs of people with rare diseases. It may gather public input and recommend ways to improve screening, diagnosis, and care.
The Health Department must share long COVID guidance with primary care providers and identify support options for patients, including people who are homebound or at risk of becoming homebound.
Argument forPeople with rare diseases and long COVID could help shape state guidance and identify community support, including help for people who cannot leave home.
Argument againstPeople who serve on the council may get pay and expense reimbursement for no more than four meetings a year, which could make frequent participation harder.
More detail
The Rare Disease Advisory Council may gather public input and advise state officials about rare disease needs and care. The council includes people with rare diseases, a parent or guardian, state officials, and health and research representatives. The council may hold hearings, comment on pending laws and rules, and take other actions approved by most members. The Health Department must provide staff, technical, and legal help and post meeting notices, minutes, public comments, and reports on its website. The council must meet quarterly. Members serve staggered five-year terms. Members who are not otherwise paid may receive per diem pay and expense reimbursement for up to four meetings each year.
The Health Department must share long COVID resources and recommend long-term disability supports to lawmakers. Long COVID means lasting effects after a COVID-19 infection. The resources are for primary care providers and patients. The department must work with the University of Vermont Medical Center, the Vermont Medical Society, and people with lived experience of long COVID. It must work with the Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living Department to identify peer and community support, including help for people who are homebound or at risk of becoming homebound. The department must identify and share resources by January 1, 2027. By February 1, 2027, it must recommend long-term disability supports to the House Human Services Committee and Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
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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 19House message: Governor approved bill on May 18, 2026Latest
- May 18Signed by Governor Phil Scott on May 18, 2026Became Law
- May 12Delivered to Governor on May 12, 2026To Governor
- May 8House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 6Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 6Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 5Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 1Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- Apr 30Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 30New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 293rd reading ordered
- Apr 29Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed toMinor
- Apr 29Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 29Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Morley for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Apr 29Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 29Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Apr 29Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 28Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 28Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Apr 28Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 24Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 24Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Apr 24Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 24Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 22Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Apr 22Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Apr 22Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 22Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 6Referred to Committee on Health and Welfare per Temporary Senate Rule 44A
- 2025
- May 16Read 1st time & referred to Committee on RulesMinor
- May 14Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- May 14Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- May 13Third Reading orderedMinor
- May 13Report of Committee on Human Services agreed to
- May 13Rep. Bluemle of Burlington recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- May 13Rep. Garofano of Essex reported for the Committee on Human Services
- May 13Read second timeMinor
- May 13Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
- May 12Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- May 9Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- May 6Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- May 6Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 21Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human ServicesIntroduced
HealthcareDisability Rights