Vermont - From the Peoples House

Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter Week of May 13 – May 16, 2025 Dear Constituents, As we conclude another productive week at the State House, I'm pleased to share updates on our legislative activities. Weekly Recap House Education Committee This week, the House Education Committee engaged in several key discussions: H.480, Miscellaneous Amendments to Education Law: The Education Committee spent the week reviewing Senate changes to H.480, which include multiple additions. Two key additions are: Cardiac Response Plans: A requirement for school districts to implement cardiac response plans, prompted by a Milton athlete’s cardiac event during a basketball game this school year, where quick action by trained individuals prevented a tragedy. This measure will ensure schools statewide are better equipped to handle similar emergencies, prioritizing student safety. Cell Phone and Social Media Restrictions: Provisions banning stude...

Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter Week of May 6 – May 9, 2025 Dear Constituents, As we conclude another productive week at the State House, I'm pleased to share updates on our legislative activities. Weekly Recap House Education Committee This week, the House Education Committee engaged in several key discussions: Advancing H.54, the Cell Phone-Free Schools Bill: The committee continued its work on H.54, a bill aimed at creating cell phone-free school environments to enhance student focus and mental health. Students from Colchester High School provided their perspectives on the bill. Laura Marquez-Garrett from the Social Media Victims Law Center discussed social media’s impact on our youth. Additional insights came from Oliver Olsen (Vermont Independent Schools Association) and Agency of Education officials (Jill Briggs Campbell, Lisa Helme, Lindsey Hedges). The committee also reviewed draft mark-ups (4.1 and 5.1), refining the bill’s language. H.54 requi...

Representative Dobrovich’s Weekly Newsletter Week of April 29 – May 2, 2025 Dear Constituents, As we conclude another productive week at the State House, I'm pleased to share updates on our legislative activities. Weekly Recap House Education Committee This week, the House Education Committee engaged in several key discussions: Advancing H.54, the Cell Phone-Free Schools Bill: The House Education Committee continued its careful consideration of H.54, which proposes limiting student use of personal electronic devices during school hours to create a more focused and supportive learning environment. We heard valuable perspectives from educators and students, including Ryan Heraty, Superintendent of Lamoille South Supervisory Union, who noted that their district’s cell phone restrictions have boosted classroom participation, with 76% of teachers observing improved student attention. We also reviewed a Connecticut model, shared by Erin Benham of the Connecticut State Boa...