BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page1of11
H.472
IntroducedbyCommitteeonGovernmentOperationsandMilitaryAffairs
Date:
Subject:Professionalandoccupations;miscellaneousamendments
Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoamend
variousprovisionsofthestatutesgoverningprofessionsandoccupationsto
adjustthescopeandamountsoffeesassociatedwithprofessionallicensure,
authorizetheOfficetoapplyadisciplinaryactionsurchargefollowinga
findingofunprofessionalconduct,requirecosmetologiststobetrainedinthe
careoftexturedhair,requirelicensednursingassistantstotakeacompetency
examaftertheirlicensehaslapsedforaperiodofnotmorethanfiveyears,
removemotorvehicleracingfromtheregulatoryauthorityoftheOfficeof
ProfessionalRegulation,repealprovisionsrelatingtoescrowagentsfor
prepaidfuneralexpenses,andaddthepositionofExecutiveOfficerforthe
RegulationofMentalHealthProfessions.
AnactrelatingtoprofessionsandoccupationsregulatedbytheOfficeof
ProfessionalRegulation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page2of11
ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont:
***OPRFeesandFundManagement***
Sec.1.3V.S.A.§ 118isamendedtoread:
§118.COLLECTIONANDDISPOSITIONOFREVENUE
(a)ThereisherebycreatedaSecretaryofStateServicesFund.TheFund
shallbeusedtoprovideappropriationsfortheoperationsoftheOfficeofthe
SecretaryofState,withtheexceptionofthoseoperationsprovidedforin
chapter5,subchapter3ofthistitle.TheFundshallbeadministeredasa
specialfundpursuantto32V.S.A.chapter7,subchapter5.Attheendofeach
fiscalyear,theunobligatedbalanceinthisFundshallbetransferredtothe
GeneralFund.
(b)AllrevenuescollectedbytheSecretaryofStateshallbedepositedinto
theSecretaryofStateServicesFundexceptforthefollowingrevenues:
(1)anyrevenuescollectedbytheOfficeofProfessionalRegulationset
forthinchapter5,subchapter3ofthistitle;and
(2)anyrevenuescollectedpursuanttosubsection117(k)ofthistitle.
(c)TheSecretaryofStateshallhavetheauthoritytocollectanddeposit
intotheSecretaryofStateServicesFundrevenuesgeneratedfromoptional
servicesofferedinthenormalcourseofbusiness,includingforone-timeor
periodicsalesofdatabysubscriptionorothercontractualbasis.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page3of11
Sec.2.3V.S.A.§ 125isamendedtoread:
§125.FEES
(a)Inadditiontothefeesotherwiseauthorizedbylaw,aboardoradvisor
professionmaychargethefollowingfees:
(1)Verificationoflicense,$20.00$30.00.
***
(b)Unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,thefollowingfeesshallapplytoall
professionsregulatedbytheDirectorinconsultationwithadvisorappointees
underTitle26:
***
(4)Biennialrenewal,$275.00,exceptbiennialrenewalfor:
***
(W)Electrologyshop,$200.00.
***
(9)Apprenticeshipapplication,$50.00.
(10)Specialtyorendorsementtoexistinglicenseapplication,$100.00.
(11)Disciplinaryactionsurcharge,$250.00.
(c)Notwithstandinganyprovisionsoflawtothecontrary,aboardshallnot
requirepaymentofrenewalfeesforyearsduringwhichalicensewaslapsed.
[Repealed.]
***
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page4of11
***2027FeeIncrease;PeerSupportProviders***
Sec.3.3V.S.A.§ 125isamendedtoread:
§125.FEES
***
(b)Unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,thefollowingfeesshallapplytoall
professionsregulatedbytheDirectorinconsultationwithadvisorappointees
underTitle26:
***
(4)Biennialrenewal,$275.00,exceptbiennialrenewalfor:
***
(V)Peersupportprovidersorpeerrecoverysupportspecialists,
$50.00$75.00.
***
***OPRDutiesandDisciplinaryAuthority***
Sec.4.3V.S.A.§ 123isamendedtoread:
§123.DUTIESOFOFFICE
***
(k)Foranyprofessionattachedtoit,theOfficeshallprovideapre-
applicationdeterminationofanindividual’scriminalbackground.This
determinationshallnotbebindingontheOfficeinafutureapplicationifthe
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page5of11
individualviolatesprobationorparoleorisconvictedofanothercrime
followingthedetermination.
***
(2)Theindividualshallsubmitthisrequestonline,accompaniedbythe
feeforpreapplicationdeterminationssetforthinsection125ofthis
subchapter.Iftheindividualthereafterappliesforlicensure,this
preapplicationfeeshallbedeductedfromthatlicenseapplicationfee.
***
(m)Theprovisionsofsubsection116a(b)ofthistitleshallnotapplytothe
Office.TheOfficeshallutilizetheprocedureswithin26V.S.A.chapter57to
reviewwhetherregulationofaprofessionisstillnecessary.
Sec.5.3V.S.A.§ 127isamendedtoread:
§127.UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE
***
(b)(1)Apersonpracticingaregulatedprofessionwithoutauthorityoran
employerpermittingsuchpracticemay,uponthecomplaintoftheAttorney
GeneraloraState’sAttorneyoranattorneyassignedbytheOfficeof
ProfessionalRegulation,beenjoinedtherefrombytheSuperiorCourtwhere
theviolationoccurredortheWashingtonCountySuperiorCourtandmaybe
assessedacivilpenaltyofnotmorethan$5,000.00.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page6of11
(2)(A)TheAttorneyGeneraloranattorneyassignedbytheOfficeof
ProfessionalRegulationmayelecttobringanactionseekingonlyacivil
penaltyofnotmorethan$2,500.00$5,000.00forpracticingorpermittingthe
practiceofaregulatedprofessionwithoutauthoritybeforetheboardhaving
regulatoryauthorityovertheprofessionorbeforeanadministrativelaw
officer.
***
Sec.6.3V.S.A.§ 129isamendedtoread:
§129.POWERSOFBOARDSOROFDIRECTORINADVISOR
PROFESSIONS;DISCIPLINEPROCESS
(a)Inadditiontoanyotherprovisionsoflaw,aboardortheDirector,in
thecaseofprofessionsthathaveadvisorappointees,mayexercisethe
followingpowers:
***
(3)Issuewarningsorreprimands,suspend,revoke,limit,condition,
deny,orpreventrenewaloflicenses,afterdisciplinaryhearingsor,incases
requiringemergencyaction,immediatelysuspend,asprovidedbysection814
ofthistitle.Inacaseinvolvingnoncompliancewithastatuteorrulerelating
toadministrativedutiesnotrelatedtopatient,client,orcustomercare,aboard
orhearingofficermaydeterminethatorderingamonetarycivilpenaltydoes
notconstituteafindingofunprofessionalconduct.Afterafindingof
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page7of11
unprofessionalconduct,arespondentshallpayadisciplinaryactionsurcharge
pursuanttosubdivision125(b)(12)ofthistitle.Theproceedsfromthe
disciplinaryactionsurchargeshallbedepositedintotheProfessional
RegulatoryFeeFund.
***
***CosmetologyCertificateofApproval***
Sec.7.26V.S.A.§ 281isamendedtoread:
§281.POSTSECONDARY SCHOOLOFBARBERINGAND
COSMETOLOGY;CERTIFICATEOFAPPROVAL
(a)Aschoolofbarberingorcosmetologyshallnotbegrantedacertificate
ofapprovalunlesstheschool:
***
(4)Requiresaschooltermoftrainingconsistentwithformaltraining
requirementsestablishedbyrule,whichshallincludepracticaldemonstrations
andtheoreticalstudiesinsanitation,sterilization,theuseofantiseptics,andthe
useofappliances,devices,treatments,andpreparationsrelevanttothefieldof
licensure,andtrainingonthecare,styling,andtreatmentoftexturedhair.For
purposesofthissubdivision,“texturedhair”meanshairthatiscoiled,curly,or
wavy.Thetrainingonthecare,styling,andtreatmentoftexturedhairshall
include:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page8of11
(A)techniquesforcutting,styling,andchemicaltreatmentsfor
texturedhair;
(B)knowledgeofproductsandtoolsspecificallydesignedfor
texturedhair;
(C)bestpracticesforhairhealthandscalpcareforclientswith
texturedhair;and
(D)culturalcompetencyandhistoricaleducationonthesignificance
oftexturedhairindiversecommunities.
***
***NursingAssistants;LicenseRenewal***
Sec.8.26V.S.A.1645isamendedtoread:
§1645.RENEWAL
(a)Torenewalicense,anursingassistantshallmeetongoingpractice
requirementssetbytheBoardbyrule.
(b)TheBoardshallcreditasongoingpracticethoseactivities,regardlessof
titleorobligationtoholdalicense,thatreasonablytendtoreinforcethe
trainingandskillsofalicensee.
(c)(1)Alicenseeseekingtorenewanexpiredorlapsedlicenseafterfewer
thanfiveyearsofabsencefrompracticeshallrepeatandpassthecompetency
examinationsapprovedbytheDepartmentofDisabilities,Aging,and
IndependentLivingbeforelicensurerenewal.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page9of11
(2)Alicenseewhodoesnotpassthecompetencyexaminationsshall
repeatanursingassistanteducationprogramandcompetencyexamination.
***Repeals;FuneralServiceEscrowAgents;MotorVehicleRacing***
Sec.9.3V.S.A.§ 122isamendedtoread:
§122.OFFICEOFPROFESSIONALREGULATION
TheOfficeofProfessionalRegulationiscreatedwithintheOfficeofthe
SecretaryofState.TheOfficeshallhaveadirectorwhoshallbequalifiedby
educationandprofessionalexperiencetoperformthedutiesoftheposition.
TheDirectoroftheOfficeofProfessionalRegulationshallbeaclassified
positionwiththeOfficeoftheSecretaryofState.Thefollowingboardsor
professionsareattachedtotheOfficeofProfessionalRegulation:
***
(21)MotorVehicleRacing[Repealed.]
***
Sec.10.26V.S.A.§ 1272isamendedtoread:
§1272.RULES;PREPAIDFUNERALFUNDS
TheDirectorshalladoptrulestocarryouttheprovisionsofthissubchapter
toensuretheproperhandlingofallfundspaidpursuanttoaprepaidfuneral
agreementandtoprotectconsumersintheeventofdefault.Therulesshall
includeprovisionsrelatingtothefollowing:
***
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page10of11
(2)Theappointmentofanescrowagentwhomaybeabankorother
categoryofindividualsuchasanattorney,alocalelectedofficial,nextofkin,
ortheexecutorofabuyer’sestate.Allprepaidarrangementfundsshallbepaid
directlytotheescrowagentandnottothefuneraldirectororestablishment.
[Repealed.]
***
Sec.11.REPEALS
(a)26V.S.A.§ 1275(prepaidfuneralexpenses;dutiesofescrowagents)is
repealed.
(b)26V.S.A.chapter93(motorvehicleracing)isrepealed.
***Position;ExecutiveOfficerfortheRegulationofMentalHealth
Professions***
Sec.12.OFFICEOFPROFESSIONALREGULATION;POSITION;
APPROPRIATION
(a)Thepositionofonenew,permanent,full-time,exemptExecutive
OfficerfortheRegulationofMentalHealthProfessionsiscreatedintheOffice
ofProfessionalRegulation.
(b)Thesumof$170,000.00isappropriatedtotheOfficeofProfessional
RegulationfromtheGeneralFundinfiscalyear2026forthecreationofthe
positionofExecutiveOfficerfortheRegulationofMentalHealthProfessions
intheOfficeofProfessionalRegulation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.472
2025 Page11of11
***Report;MassageTherapyEstablishments***
Sec.13.OFFICEOFPROFESSIONALREGULATION;REPORT;
MASSAGETHERAPYESTABLISHMENTS
OnorbeforeNovember15,2025,theOfficeofProfessionalRegulation,in
consultationwithinterestedstakeholders,shallsubmittotheHouseCommittee
onGovernmentOperationsandMilitaryAffairsandtheSenateCommitteeon
GovernmentOperationsproposedlegislationfortheregulationofmassage
therapyestablishments,asdefinedin26V.S.A.§ 5401(2)(A).
***EffectiveDates***
Sec.14.EFFECTIVEDATES
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025,exceptthatSec.3(fees;peer
supportproviders)shalltakeeffectonJuly1,2027.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12