| 1 | | - | BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.1 |
|---|
| 2 | | - | 2025 Page1of6 |
|---|
| 3 | | - | H.1 |
|---|
| 4 | | - | IntroducedbyRepresentativesLaLondeofSouthBurlington,Cinaof |
|---|
| 5 | | - | Burlington,OdeofBurlington,andSibiliaofDover |
|---|
| 6 | | - | ReferredtoCommitteeon |
|---|
| 7 | | - | Date: |
|---|
| 8 | | - | Subject:Executive;governmentalethics;StateEthicsCommission;procedure |
|---|
| 9 | | - | foracceptingandreferringethicscomplaints |
|---|
| 10 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoexemptthe |
|---|
| 11 | | - | HouseandSenateEthicsPanelsfromtherequirementtoconsultwiththe |
|---|
| 12 | | - | ExecutiveDirectoroftheStateEthicsCommissiononanycomplaintreferred |
|---|
| 13 | | - | tothePanelsbytheCommission. |
|---|
| 14 | | - | AnactrelatingtoacceptingandreferringcomplaintsbytheStateEthics |
|---|
| 15 | | - | Commission |
|---|
| 16 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
|---|
| 17 | | - | Sec.1.REPEAL |
|---|
| 18 | | - | 2024ActsandResolvesNo.171,Sec.9(3V.S.A.§1223)isrepealed. |
|---|
| 19 | | - | Sec.2.3V.S.A.§1223isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 20 | | - | §1223.PROCEDUREFORHANDLINGACCEPTINGANDREFERRING |
|---|
| 21 | | - | COMPLAINTS |
|---|
| 22 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 23 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 24 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 25 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 26 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 27 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 28 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 29 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 30 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 31 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 32 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 33 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 34 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 35 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 36 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 37 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 38 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 39 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 40 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 41 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 42 | | - | 20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.1 |
|---|
| 43 | | - | 2025 Page2of6 |
|---|
| 44 | | - | (b)PreliminaryreviewbyExecutiveDirector.TheExecutiveDirector |
|---|
| 45 | | - | shallconductapreliminaryreviewofcomplaintsmadetotheCommissionin |
|---|
| 46 | | - | ordertotakeactionassetforthinthissubsection,whichshallincludereferring |
|---|
| 47 | | - | complaintstoallrelevantentities,includingtheCommissionitself. |
|---|
| 48 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 49 | | - | (5)MunicipalCodeofEthics.Ifthecomplaintallegesaviolationofthe |
|---|
| 50 | | - | MunicipalCodeofEthics,theExecutiveDirectorshallreferthecomplaintto |
|---|
| 51 | | - | thedesignatedethicsliaisonoftheappropriatemunicipality. |
|---|
| 52 | | - | (5)(6)Closures.TheExecutiveDirectorshallcloseanycomplaintthat |
|---|
| 53 | | - | heorshetheExecutiveDirectordoesnotreferassetforthinsubdivisions(1)– |
|---|
| 54 | | - | (4)(5)ofthissubsection. |
|---|
| 55 | | - | (c)Consultationonunethicalconduct.IftheExecutiveDirectorrefersa |
|---|
| 56 | | - | complaintundersubsection(b)ofthissection,theExecutiveDirectorshall |
|---|
| 57 | | - | signifyanylikelyunethicalconductdescribedinthecomplaint.Anyentity |
|---|
| 58 | | - | receivingareferredcomplaint,exceptthoseinsubdivisions(b)(5)and |
|---|
| 59 | | - | (b)(4)(A)–(B)ofthissection,shallconsultwiththeCommissionregardingthe |
|---|
| 60 | | - | applicationoftheStateCodeofEthicstofactspresentedinthecomplaint. |
|---|
| 61 | | - | Theconsultationshallbeinwritingandoccurwithin60daysafteranentity |
|---|
| 62 | | - | receivesareferredcomplaintandpriortotheentitymakingadeterminationon |
|---|
| 63 | | - | thecomplaint,meaningeitherclosingacomplaintwithoutfurther |
|---|
| 64 | | - | investigationorissuingfindingsfollowinganinvestigation. |
|---|
| 65 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 66 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 67 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 68 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 69 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 70 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 71 | | - | 7 |
|---|
| 72 | | - | 8 |
|---|
| 73 | | - | 9 |
|---|
| 74 | | - | 10 |
|---|
| 75 | | - | 11 |
|---|
| 76 | | - | 12 |
|---|
| 77 | | - | 13 |
|---|
| 78 | | - | 14 |
|---|
| 79 | | - | 15 |
|---|
| 80 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 81 | | - | 17 |
|---|
| 82 | | - | 18 |
|---|
| 83 | | - | 19 |
|---|
| 84 | | - | 20 |
|---|
| 85 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.1 |
|---|
| 86 | | - | 2025 Page3of6 |
|---|
| 87 | | - | (d)Confidentiality.Complaintsandrelateddocumentsinthecustodyof |
|---|
| 88 | | - | theCommissionshallbeexemptfrompublicinspectionandcopyingunderthe |
|---|
| 89 | | - | PublicRecordsActandkeptconfidential,exceptasprovidedforinsection |
|---|
| 90 | | - | 1231ofthistitle. |
|---|
| 91 | | - | Sec.3.EFFECTIVEDATES |
|---|
| 92 | | - | Thisactshalltakeeffectonpassage,exceptthatSec.2(amending3V.S.A. |
|---|
| 93 | | - | § 1223)shalltakeeffectonSeptember1,2025. |
|---|
| 94 | | - | Sec.1.3V.S.A.§ 1223isamendedtoread: |
|---|
| 95 | | - | §1223.PROCEDUREFORACCEPTINGANDREFERRING |
|---|
| 96 | | - | COMPLAINTS |
|---|
| 97 | | - | (a)Acceptingcomplaints. |
|---|
| 98 | | - | (1)OnbehalfoftheCommission,theExecutiveDirectorshallaccept |
|---|
| 99 | | - | complaintsfromanysourceregardinggovernmentalethicsinanyofthethree |
|---|
| 100 | | - | branchesofStategovernmentoroftheState’scampaignfinancelawsetforth |
|---|
| 101 | | - | in17V.S.A.chapter61. |
|---|
| 102 | | - | (2)Complaintsshallbeinwritingandshallincludetheidentityofthe |
|---|
| 103 | | - | complainant. |
|---|
| 104 | | - | (b)PreliminaryreviewbyExecutiveDirector.TheExecutiveDirectorshall |
|---|
| 105 | | - | conductapreliminaryreviewofcomplaintsmadetotheCommissioninorder |
|---|
| 106 | | - | totakeactionassetforthinthissubsectionandsection1223aofthistitle, |
|---|
| 107 | | - | 1 |
|---|
| 108 | | - | 2 |
|---|
| 109 | | - | 3 |
|---|
| 110 | | - | 4 |
|---|
| 111 | | - | 5 |
|---|
| 112 | | - | 6 |
|---|
| 113 | | - | 7 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.1 |
|---|
| 114 | | - | 2025 Page4of6 |
|---|
| 115 | | - | whichshallincludereferringcomplaintstoallrelevantentities,includingthe |
|---|
| 116 | | - | Commissionitself. |
|---|
| 117 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 118 | | - | (4)LegislativeandJudicialBranches;attorneys. |
|---|
| 119 | | - | (A)IfthecomplaintisinregardtoconductcommittedbyaState |
|---|
| 120 | | - | Senator,theExecutiveDirectorshallreferthecomplainttotheSenateEthics |
|---|
| 121 | | - | PanelandshallrequestareportbackfromthePanelregardingthefinal |
|---|
| 122 | | - | dispositionofthecomplaint. |
|---|
| 123 | | - | (B)IfthecomplaintisinregardtoconductcommittedbyaState |
|---|
| 124 | | - | Representative,theExecutiveDirectorshallreferthecomplainttotheHouse |
|---|
| 125 | | - | EthicsPanelandshallrequestareportbackfromthePanelregardingthefinal |
|---|
| 126 | | - | dispositionofthecomplaint. |
|---|
| 127 | | - | (C)Ifthecomplaintisinregardtoconductcommittedbyajudicial |
|---|
| 128 | | - | officer,theExecutiveDirectorshallreferthecomplainttotheJudicialConduct |
|---|
| 129 | | - | BoardandshallrequestareportbackfromtheBoardregardingthefinal |
|---|
| 130 | | - | dispositionofthecomplaint. |
|---|
| 131 | | - | (D)Ifthecomplaintisinregardtoanattorneyemployedbythe |
|---|
| 132 | | - | State,theExecutiveDirectorshallreferthecomplainttotheProfessional |
|---|
| 133 | | - | ResponsibilityBoardandshallrequestareportbackfromtheBoardregarding |
|---|
| 134 | | - | thefinaldispositionofthecomplaint. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.1 |
|---|
| 135 | | - | 2025 Page5of6 |
|---|
| 136 | | - | (E)Ifanyofthecomplaintsdescribedinsubdivisions(A)–(D)ofthis |
|---|
| 137 | | - | subdivision(4)alsoallegethatacrimehasbeencommitted,theExecutive |
|---|
| 138 | | - | DirectorshallalsoreferthecomplainttotheAttorneyGeneralandtheState’s |
|---|
| 139 | | - | Attorneyofjurisdiction. |
|---|
| 140 | | - | (5)MunicipalCodeofEthics.Ifthecomplaintallegesaviolationofthe |
|---|
| 141 | | - | MunicipalCodeofEthics,theExecutiveDirectorshallreferthecomplaintto |
|---|
| 142 | | - | thedesignatedethicsliaisonoftheappropriatemunicipality. |
|---|
| 143 | | - | *** |
|---|
| 144 | | - | (c)Consultationonunethicalconduct. |
|---|
| 145 | | - | (1)IftheExecutiveDirectorrefersacomplaintundersubsection(b)of |
|---|
| 146 | | - | thissection,theExecutiveDirectorshallsignifyanylikelyunethicalconduct |
|---|
| 147 | | - | describedinthecomplaint.Anyentityreceivingareferredcomplaint,except |
|---|
| 148 | | - | thoseinsubdivision(b)(5)ofthissection,shallconsultwiththeCommission |
|---|
| 149 | | - | regardingtheapplicationoftheStateCodeofEthicstofactspresentedinthe |
|---|
| 150 | | - | complaint. |
|---|
| 151 | | - | (A)Forcomplaintsreferredundersubdivision(b)(4)ofthissection, |
|---|
| 152 | | - | theExecutiveDirectorshallspecifytheapplicationoftheStateCodeofEthics |
|---|
| 153 | | - | tofactspresentedinthecomplaintandincludearecommendedaction. |
|---|
| 154 | | - | (B)Forallothercomplaintsreferredundersubsection(b)ofthis |
|---|
| 155 | | - | section,exceptthoseinsubdivisions(b)(4)and(5)ofthissection,anentity |
|---|
| 156 | | - | receivingacomplaintshallconsultwiththeCommissionregardingthe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.1 |
|---|
| 157 | | - | 2025 Page6of6 |
|---|
| 158 | | - | applicationoftheStateCodeofEthicstofactspresentedinthecomplaint. |
|---|
| 159 | | - | Theconsultationshallbeinwritingandoccurwithin60daysafteranthe |
|---|
| 160 | | - | entityreceivesathereferredcomplaintandpriortotheentitymakinga |
|---|
| 161 | | - | determinationonthecomplaint,meaningeitherclosingacomplaintwithout |
|---|
| 162 | | - | furtherinvestigationorissuingfindingsfollowinganinvestigation. |
|---|
| 163 | | - | (2)AnyadvicetheCommissionprovidesduringtheconsultationprocess |
|---|
| 164 | | - | shallbeconfidentialandnonbindingontheentity. |
|---|
| 165 | | - | Sec.2.EFFECTIVEDATE |
|---|
| 166 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectSeptember1,2025andshallsupersedethose |
|---|
| 167 | | - | provisionsof2024ActsandResolvesNo.171,Sec.9thatamended3V.S.A. |
|---|
| 168 | | - | § 1223andthatconflictwiththelanguageinthisact. |
|---|
| 1 | + | StateofVermont |
|---|
| 2 | + | HouseofRepresentatives |
|---|
| 3 | + | Montpelier,Vermont |
|---|
| 4 | + | ConcurrentHouseResolution |
|---|
| 5 | + | H.C.R.39 |
|---|
| 6 | + | OfferedbyRepresentativesBerbecoofWinooskiandMaguireofRutland City |
|---|
| 7 | + | HouseconcurrentresolutiondesignatingFebruary19,2025asRecoveryDayattheStateHouse |
|---|
| 8 | + | Whereas,accordingtothelatestavailabledatafromtheU.S.SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServices |
|---|
| 9 | + | Administration,approximately 10.3percentofVermonters12yearsofageandolder,approximately |
|---|
| 10 | + | 56,000 individuals,livewithasubstanceusedisorder, and |
|---|
| 11 | + | Whereas,theVermontAssociationforMentalHealthandAddictionRecovery(VAMHAR)isastatewide |
|---|
| 12 | + | nonprofitorganizationthatwasestablishedin1939andprovidesadvocacyandprofessionaltrainingto |
|---|
| 13 | + | Vermont’sworkforce, and |
|---|
| 14 | + | Whereas,thisorganizationenvisionscommunitiesthatactivelyembracethefullspectrumofthehuman |
|---|
| 15 | + | experiencewithcompassionandacceptance,anditcelebratesallpathwaystohealing, and |
|---|
| 16 | + | Whereas,RecoveryPartnersofVermont,a14-memberumbrellaorganizationofpeer-ledrecoverycenters |
|---|
| 17 | + | andrecoveryresidences,isonthefrontlineofsupportingindividualsintheirjourneysfromactiveaddictionto |
|---|
| 18 | + | alifeinrecoveryfromalcoholorasubstanceusedisorder,orboth, and |
|---|
| 19 | + | Whereas,VAMHARandRecoveryPartnersofVermontarededicatedtosupportingallpathwaystorecovery |
|---|
| 20 | + | fromsubstanceusedisordersandleadingVermonterstohealthierlives, and |
|---|
| 21 | + | Whereas,RecoveryDayisanannualadvocacycelebrationdedicatedtohonorthepowerofsubstanceuse |
|---|
| 22 | + | recoveryandthediversepathwaysindividualsundertakeontheirrecoveryjourneys, and |
|---|
| 23 | + | Whereas,thethemeforRecoveryDay2025,“RecoveryRootedinCommunityConnection,”emphasizesthe |
|---|
| 24 | + | vitalrolethatcommunitysupportandpeerconnectionsplayinsuccessfulrecoveryoutcomes, and |
|---|
| 25 | + | Whereas,today,February19,2025,Vermonterswhoareengagedintherecoveryprocessarevisitingthe |
|---|
| 26 | + | StateHousetocelebratetheirsuccessesandtoeducatetheGeneralAssemblyonrecoverysupportactivitiesand |
|---|
| 27 | + | initiatives,nowthereforebeit |
|---|
| 28 | + | ResolvedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentatives: |
|---|
| 29 | + | ThattheGeneralAssemblydesignatesFebruary19,2025asRecoveryDayattheStateHouse,andbeit |
|---|
| 30 | + | further |
|---|
| 31 | + | Resolved:ThattheSecretaryofStatebedirectedtosendacopyofthisresolutiontoRecoveryPartnersof |
|---|
| 32 | + | VermontandtoVAMHAR. |
|---|