Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 2 D cosponsors

S 36 — An act relating to the delivery and payment of certain services provided through the Agency of Human Services, services for persons who are incapacitated, and Human Services Board proceedings

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 15, 2025

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 30, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 16, 2025.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

100 added · 70 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill S.36 clarifies the Medicaid payment model for long-term residential treatment for individuals with both substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The key change involves explicitly establishing coverage for at least 30 days or 60 days of treatment, depending on whether medication can effectively address the substance use disorder. This matters because it ensures that individuals struggling with these issues receive adequate care and support, which can lead to better health outcomes and recovery.

→
Previous
Latest
AS PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 1 of 3 S.36 An act relating to the Medicaid payment model for residential substance use disorder treatment services It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 1 of 4 S.36 Introduced by Senators Lyons and Gulick Referred to Committee on Health and Welfare Date:
January 30, 2025 Subject:
Human services;
Medicaid, substance use disorder;
mental health;
long-term residential treatment Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to require the Agency of Human Services to provide coverage for long-term residential treatment to Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder and a co- occurring mental health condition.
An act relating to Medicaid coverage of long-term residential treatment for co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health condition An act relating to the Medicaid payment model for residential substance use disorder treatment services It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
§ 1901n is added to read:
§ 1901m is added to read:
§ 1901n.
§ 1901m.
HIGH-INTENSITY RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL CONDITIONS (a) The Agency of Human Services shall provide coverage for medically necessary high-intensity, medically monitored residential treatment episodes to Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition when medically necessary high-intensity, medically monitored residential treatment episodes are prescribed by a health care professional employed by a residential treatment program who is practicing within the scope of the health professional’s license and the residential treatment program is participating in Vermont’s Medicaid program.
LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 2 of 4 (a) The Agency of Human Services shall provide coverage for medically necessary long-term residential treatment to Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition when long- term residential treatment is prescribed by a health care professional practicing within the scope of the professional’s license and the residential treatment program is participating in Vermont’s Medicaid program.
(b) Coverage provided under this section shall not be for less than:
(1) 30 days if the beneficiary’s substance use disorder can be successfully addressed by medication for opioid use disorder;
and (2) 60 days if the beneficiary’s substance use disorder cannot be successfully addressed by medication for opioid use disorder.
Sec.
2.
33 V.S.A.
§ 1901m is redesignated to read:
§ 1901m 1901n.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Sec.
3.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
Sec.
1.
33 V.S.A.
§ 1901n is added to read:
§ 1901n.
HIGH-INTENSITY RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL CONDITIONS (a) The Agency of Human Services shall provide coverage for medically necessary high-intensity, medically monitored residential treatment episodes to Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition when medically necessary high-intensity, medically monitored residential treatment episodes are prescribed by a health care professional BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 3 of 4 employed by a residential treatment program who is practicing within the scope of the health professional’s license and the residential treatment program is participating in Vermont’s Medicaid program.
VT LEG #382139 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 2 of 3 Sec.
Sec.
§ 1901o is added to read:
§ 1901o is added to read:
§ 1901o.
§ 1901o.
MEDICAID PAYMENT MODEL FOR RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT SERVICES The Agency of Human Services shall conduct a review of the Medicaid payment model for residential substance use disorder treatment services with special consideration given to the actual cost of providing residential treatment VT LEG #382139 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 3 of 3 services, commensurate with length of stay, co-occurring physical and mental health needs, and postresidential treatment service needs.
MEDICAID PAYMENT MODEL FOR RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT SERVICES The Agency of Human Services shall conduct a review of the Medicaid payment model for residential substance use disorder treatment services with special consideration given to the actual cost of providing residential treatment services, commensurate with length of stay, co-occurring physical and mental health needs, and postresidential treatment service needs.
Sec.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.36 Page 4 of 4 Sec.
REPEAL 2019 Acts and Resolves No.
REPEAL Acts and Resolves No.
§§ 4810(d)–(j) and 4811 that prohibited public inebriates from being incarcerated in a Department of Corrections’ facility) are repealed.
§§ 4810(d)–(j) and 4811 that prohibited public inebriates from being incarcerated in a Department of Corrections’ facility) are repealed.
5.
5.  2019 Acts and Resolves No.
2019 Acts and Resolves No.
105 is amended to read:
105 is amended to read:  Sec.
Sec.
105.  EFFECTIVE DATES * * * (c)  Secs.
105.
Show all 44 changed rows (4 more)
Previous
Latest
EFFECTIVE DATES * * * (c) Secs.
§§ 4910 and 4811) shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
§§ 4910 and 4811) shall take effect on July 1, 2025.  [Deleted.] * * * Sec.
[Deleted.] * * * Sec.
VT LEG #382139 v.1
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (7)
  • As Passed By the Senate (OfficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As Passed By the Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As Passed by Both House and Senate (OfficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As Passed by Both House and Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As EnactedOpens in a new window View text pdf
  • Act SummaryOpens in a new window View text Current pdf
  • Introduced As IntroducedOpens in a new window pdf

Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 15, 2025

  2. Signed by Governor on May 15, 2025

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 9, 2025

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

  5. As passed by Senate and House

  6. Title amended

  7. House proposal of amendment concurred in

  8. House proposal of amendment; text

  9. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  10. House proposal of amendment

  11. House proposal of amendment

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

  13. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

  14. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  15. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  16. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  17. Third Reading ordered

  18. Second division of amendment disagreed to

  19. First division of amendment disagreed to

  20. Rep. Headrick of Burlington asked that the question be divided

  21. Rep. Rachelson of Burlington moved to amend the House proposal of amendment

  22. Report of Committee on Human Services, as amended, agreed to

  23. Rep. Bishop of Colchester, Cole of Hartford, Donahue of Northfield, Eastes of Guilford, Garofano of Essex, Maguire of Rutland City, McGill of Bridport, Nielsen of Brandon, Noyes of Wolcott, Steady of Milton, and Wood of Waterbury moved to amend the report of the Committee on Human Services, which was agreed to

  24. Rep. Bluemle of Burlington recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

  25. Rep. Bishop of Colchester reported for the Committee on Human Services

  26. Read second time

  27. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 4/25/2025

  28. Rep. Bishop of Colchester moved to postpone action until 4/25/2025, which was agreed to

  29. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  30. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  31. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)

  32. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  33. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services

  34. Title amended as recommended by Committee on Health and Welfare

  35. Read 3rd time & passed

  36. Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Lyons

  37. Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Lyons

  38. New Business/Third Reading

  39. 3rd reading ordered

  40. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to

  41. Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Appropriations

  42. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Hart for Committee on Health and Welfare

  43. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  44. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

  45. New Business/Second Reading

  46. Second Reading

  47. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  48. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

  49. Entered on Notice Calendar

  50. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  51. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

  52. Second Reading

  53. Entered on Notice Calendar

  54. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 188 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (188)

188 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 188 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 36?
S 36 is sponsored by Martine Larocque L Gulick (Democrat) and Virginia "Ginny" V Lyons (Democrat).
What is the current status of S 36?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 30, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track S 36?
Track S 36 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on S 36

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of S 36

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →