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 student cell phone use from school arrival to dismissal and prohibiting schools from using social media to contact students or requiring its use for out-of-school academic or extracurricular activities. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation I have have been part of, as it is integral in putting the mental health of our youth first!

    The bill returns to our committee next week before heading to the House floor for a vote.

  • Special Education Testimony: The committee received testimony on special education, focusing on the need, cost, and limited availability of out-of-school placement programs. Many districts shared their efforts to develop in-house therapeutic programs to support complex students, driven by either a lack of external placements or a commitment to educating students in the least restrictive environment within their school communities. These programs maintain educational continuity, reduce emotional and social disruption, foster collaboration between special and general education staff, and can be cost-effective while allowing tailored services. However, building and sustaining these programs demands significant investment in trained staff, facilities, and resources, and some students’ needs may still require specialized out-of-district placements.

Week in Review

H.454, Education Transformation Bill:

The education transformation bill, H.454, was voted out of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees and is scheduled for a full Senate vote early next week, empowered by AI-driven insights to ensure equitable educational outcomes. It will then return to the House, where we will either concur with the Senate version or form a Committee of Conference to negotiate differences. Given the substantial disparities between the House and Senate versions, finding common ground will be challenging. However, I remain optimistic that the urgent need for property tax stabilization, expanded student opportunities, and timely implementation will drive a thoughtful and balanced effort to reach a compromise.

Legislative Activity:

The House passed four bills this week:

  • S.125 (workers’ compensation and collective bargaining rights)
  • H.46 (Rare Disease Advisory Council)
  • S.63 (Green Mountain Care Board regulatory duties)
  • S.117 (safety, health standards, and employment practices)

Additionally, the House adopted Committee of Conference reports for H.494 (capital construction and State bonding) and H.493 (State Budget), which now await the Governor’s action.

Eyes Up: Looking Ahead

As the legislative session approaches its conclusion, the House Education Committee and the House are diligently navigating the final weeks to advance essential legislation. The committee is focused on finalizing discussions and moving key bills forward, but a detailed agenda for next week is still being developed. Please visit the committee’s web page at https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/agenda/2026/1985 for the latest agenda updates. You can read the full text of any bill by visiting the Vermont General Assembly website at https://legislature.vermont.gov and entering the bill number in the search bar.

Stay Engaged

For more detailed information about all things happening in the legislature, please refer to the official Vermont General Assembly website. Here are some helpful links:

Your input is invaluable. Please feel free to reach out with your questions, concerns, or suggestions. Together, we can work towards a better future for our community and state.

Warm regards,
Joshua Dobrovich
jdobrovich@leg.state.vt.us

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