Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 1 I cosponsors

S 89 — An act relating to expanding survivor benefits

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 19, 2026

  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 February 25, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 20, 2026.

Prognosis

Advancing 52% · 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.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 I).

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.

In plain language

This act expands survivor benefits for certain emergency personnel.

This legislation adds four new categories of emergency personnel who can have their survivors receive benefits if they die in the line of duty or from work-related illnesses, effective July 1, 2026. It also allows for the funding of medical expert reviews related to these applications and the transfer of funds into the survivors benefit fund when needed.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This means that if you work in one of the newly specified emergency roles, your survivors may be eligible for benefits in case of your in-the-line-of-duty death or work-related illness.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

166 added · 73 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill S.89 clarified the definitions related to the responsibilities of certain state employees, including those in law enforcement, corrections, and mental health services. Specifically, it emphasized the duties these employees perform when responding to emergencies or complaints. This change is important because it ensures that the roles of these workers are clearly outlined, which could impact their benefits and protections while on duty. This clarity aims to improve accountability and support for employees who are often in high-stress situations.

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AS PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 1 of 4 S.89 An act relating to expanding survivor benefits It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 1 of 6 S.89 Introduced by Senator Vyhovsky Referred to Committee on Government Operations Date:
February 25, 2025 Subject:
Public safety;
survivorsʼ benefits Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to extend survivors’ benefits to survivors of law enforcement officers, Department of Corrections employees, Family Services Division employees, and employees in State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units who die while in the line of duty or from an occupation-related illness.
An act relating to expanding survivor benefits It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
SHORT TITLE This act may be cited as “Jessica’s Law.” Sec.
2.
* * * (3) “Emergency personnel” means:
* * * BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 2 of 6 (3) “Emergency personnel” means:
(E) classified family services employees in the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families;
(E) classified employees of the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families;
and (F) classified medical employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units.
and (F) classified employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units.
VT LEG #388282 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 2 of 4 (4) “Line of duty” means:
(4) “Line of duty” means:
or (B)(ii) similar service in another town or district to which the department or service has been called for firefighting or emergency purposes.;
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 3 of 6 (B) with respect to law enforcement officers:
(i) service as a law enforcement officer in answer to a complaint lodged with the department or in response to a disorder, including going to, returning from, and investigating or responding to the complaint or disorder;
or (ii) service under orders from the department or in any emergency for which the law enforcement officer serves as a law enforcement officer;
(C) with respect to covered employees of the Department of Corrections, discharging their duties as employees;
(D) with respect to classified employees of the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families, discharging their duties as employees;
and (E) with respect to classified employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units, discharging their duties as employees.
* * * Sec.
3.
20 V.S.A.
§ 3172 is amended to read:
§ 3172.
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL SURVIVORS BENEFIT REVIEW BOARD * * * BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 4 of 6 (c) If the Board decides to award a monetary benefit, the benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse or, if the emergency personnel had no spouse at the time of death, to the surviving child, or equally among surviving children.
If the deceased emergency personnel is not survived by a spouse or child, the benefit shall be paid to a surviving parent, or equally between surviving parents.
If the deceased emergency personnel is not survived by a spouse, children, or parents, the Board shall not award a monetary benefit under this chapter.
(d) Upon a Board decision to award a monetary benefit under this chapter, the Treasurer shall make payment to the beneficiaries as described in subsection (c) of this section.
The Treasurer shall have up to one year from the date of receiving the claim to disburse the funds.
* * * Sec.
4.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
Sec.
1.
20 V.S.A.
§ 3171 is amended to read:
§ 3171.
DEFINITIONS As used in this chapter:
* * * (3) “Emergency personnel” means:
(A) firefighters as defined in subdivision 3151(3) of this title;
Show all 66 changed rows (26 more)
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and (B) emergency medical personnel and volunteer personnel as defined in 24 V.S.A.
§ 2651;
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 5 of 6 (C) law enforcement officers who have been certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council pursuant to section 2358 of this title;
(D) facility employees of the Department of Corrections and Department of Corrections employees who provide direct security and treatment services to offenders under supervision in the community;
(E) classified employees of the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families;
and (E) classified family services employees in the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families;
and (F) classified employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units.
(F) classified medical employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units.
(4) “Line of duty” means:
(A) answering or returning from with respect to firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and volunteer personnel:
(i) service in answer to a call of the department or service for a fire or emergency or, including going to and returning from a fire or emergency or participating in a fire or emergency training drill;
and VT LEG #388282 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 3 of 4 (E) with respect to classified medical employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units, discharging their duties as employees.
and (E) with respect to classified medical employees of State-operated therapeutic community residences or inpatient psychiatric hospital units, discharging their duties as employees.
* * * Sec.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 6 of 6 * * * Sec.
§ 3172 is amended to read:
§ 3172.
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL SURVIVORS BENEFIT REVIEW BOARD * * * (c) If the Board decides to award a monetary benefit, the benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse or, if the emergency personnel had no spouse at the time of death, to the surviving child, or equally among surviving children.
If the deceased emergency personnel is not survived by a spouse or child, the benefit shall be paid to a surviving parent, or equally between surviving parents.
If the deceased emergency personnel is not survived by a spouse, children, or parents, the Board shall not award a monetary benefit under this chapter.
(d) Upon a Board decision to award a monetary benefit under this chapter, the Treasurer shall make payment to the beneficiaries as described in subsection (c) of this section.
The Treasurer shall have up to one year from the date of receiving the claim to disburse the funds.
Sec.
2.
20 V.S.A.
§ 133, transfer into the Fund additional amounts necessary to pay the monetary benefits.
§ 133, transfer into the Fund additional amounts necessary to pay the monetary benefits.
* * * VT LEG #388282 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.89 Page 4 of 4 Sec.
* * * Sec.
VT LEG #388282 v.1
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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 19, 2026

  2. Signed by Governor on May 19, 2026

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 13, 2026

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

  5. As passed by Senate and House

  6. House proposal of amendment concurred in

  7. House proposal of amendment; text

  8. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  9. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  10. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  11. House proposal of amendment

  12. House proposal of amendment

  13. Entered on Notice Calendar

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

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

  16. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  17. Third Reading ordered

  18. Report of Committee on General and Housing agreed to

  19. Rep. Dickinson of St. Albans Town recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

  20. Rep. Burrows of West Windsor reported for the Committee on General and Housing

  21. Read second time

  22. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  23. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

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

  25. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  26. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing

  27. Read 3rd time & passed

  28. Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Norris

  29. New Business/Third Reading

  30. 3rd reading ordered

  31. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Government Operations, as amended, agreed to

  32. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Government Operations amended as moved by Senator Vyhovsky

  33. Reported favorably by Senator Perchlik for Committee on Appropriations

  34. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Government Operations

  35. Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Vyhovsky

  36. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  37. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

  38. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

  39. Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Vyhovsky

  40. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  41. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

  42. New Business/Second Reading

  43. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  44. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

  45. Second Reading

  46. Entered on Notice Calendar

  47. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  48. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

  49. Second Reading

  50. Entered on Notice Calendar

  51. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government Operations

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (189)

189 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 189 →

"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

veterans 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 89?
S 89 is sponsored by Tanya C Vyhovsky (Progressive/Democrat).
What is the current status of S 89?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track S 89?
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