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

S 173 — An act relating to vocational rehabilitation and apprenticeships

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 21, 2026

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  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 06, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 26, 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 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.

In plain language

The bill relates to vocational rehabilitation and apprenticeships.

This legislation focuses on improving vocational rehabilitation services and expanding apprenticeship opportunities. It aims to enhance workforce development by supporting individuals in their career training.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This means more support and training opportunities for workers looking to improve their skills and employability.
  • Small Business: Small businesses may benefit from a more skilled workforce as apprenticeship programs expand.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

211 added · 127 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the updated version of Bill S.173, there is a significant change that specifies how vocational rehabilitation services will be provided for employees injured at work. The bill now requires employers to select a vocational rehabilitation provider from a list given by the Commissioner, ensuring that employees get support for retraining and job placement after their injury. This change matters because it clarifies the process for accessing necessary rehabilitation services, helping injured workers to return to suitable employment more efficiently.

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AS PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 1 of 6 S.173 An act relating to vocational rehabilitation It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 1 of 8 S.173 Introduced by Senator Ram Hinsdale Referred to Committee on Econ.
Dev., Housing and General Affairs Date:
January 6, 2026 Subject:
Labor;
workers’ compensation;
vocational rehabilitation;
State Employees Labor Relations Act;
Vermont Labor Relations Board;
mediator Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to remove the references to vocational rehabilitation screening, to allow injured workers to initiate vocational rehabilitation services if the employer fails to do so, and to ensure that injured workers are fully informed of their right to access vocational rehabilitation services.
This bill also proposes to provide free mediation services to public and private sector employers and employees by authorizing and funding the position of State Mediator within the office of the Vermont Labor Relations Board.
An act relating to workers’ compensation and the Vermont Labor Relations Board An act relating to vocational rehabilitation BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 2 of 8 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
The form shall clearly and simply explain the worker’s rights, including the choice of provider, the right to VT LEG #387882 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 2 of 6 challenge a determination, the right to request vocational rehabilitation services in the future if the work injury affects the worker’s ability to earn the worker’s preinjury wage, and reimbursement for related expenses.
The form shall clearly and simply explain the worker’s rights, including the choice of provider, the right to challenge a determination, the right to request vocational rehabilitation services in the future if the work injury affects the worker’s ability to earn the BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 3 of 8 worker’s pre-injury wage, and reimbursement for related expenses.
[Repealed.] (C) Provide a mechanism for a periodic and timely screening of injured workers who are initially found not to be ready or eligible for a full VT LEG #387882 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 3 of 6 assessment to determine whether a full assessment has become appropriate.
[Repealed.] (C) Provide a mechanism for a periodic and timely screening of injured workers who are initially found not to be ready or eligible for a full assessment to determine whether a full assessment has become appropriate.
[Repealed.] BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 4 of 8 (D) Protect against potential conflicts of interest in the assignment and performance of initial screenings.
[Repealed.] (E) Ensure the injured worker has a choice of a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
(F) Ensure the injured worker may initiate vocational rehabilitation services with the worker’s chosen vocational rehabilitation provider if the employer fails to assign a vocational rehabilitation provider within 90 days following the worker being out of work.
* * * Sec.
2.
3 V.S.A.
§ 922 is amended to read:
§ 922.
OFFICE SPACE;
EMPLOYEES;
MEDIATOR (a) The Secretary of Administration shall, upon request by the State Labor Relations Board, allow the Board the responsible use of public buildings under his or her the Secretary’s control and furnish heat, light, and furniture for any meeting or hearing called by the Board.
(b) The Board may employ such employees and agents as it deems necessary, and may employ a reporter for taking and transcribing testimony in hearing before it.
(c) The Board may employ a mediator to provide free mediation services to public and private sector collective bargaining units and employers upon reaching impasse during collective bargaining.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 5 of 8 Sec.
3.
VERMONT LABOR RELATIONS BOARD;
POSITION;
APPROPRIATION (a) The position of a full-time, permanent, classified mediator is created in the office of the Vermont Labor Relations Board.
(b) In fiscal year 2027, the amount of $115,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Vermont Labor Relations Board for salary and benefits for the position of mediator.
Sec.
4.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
Sec.
1.
21 V.S.A.
§ 641 is amended to read:
Show all 59 changed rows (19 more)
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§ 641.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (a) When as a result of an injury covered by this chapter, an employee is unable to perform work for which the employee has previous training or experience, the employee shall be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services, including retraining and job placement, as may be reasonably necessary to restore the employee to suitable employment.
Vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided as follows:
(1) The employer shall designate a vocational rehabilitation provider from a list provided by the Commissioner to initially provide services.
Thereafter, absent good cause, the employee may have only one opportunity to select another vocational rehabilitation provider from a list provided by the Commissioner upon giving the employer written notice of the employee’s reasons for dissatisfaction with the designated provider and the name and address of the provider selected by the employee.
(2) The Department shall provide an injured worker with a form that includes information and employee rights.
The form shall clearly and simply explain the worker’s rights, including the choice of provider, the right to challenge a determination, the right to request vocational rehabilitation services in the future if the work injury affects the worker’s ability to earn the worker’s preinjury wage, and reimbursement for related expenses.
The worker shall sign the form and return it to the Department.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 6 of 8 (3) The Commissioner shall adopt rules to ensure that a worker who requests services or who has been out of work for more than 90 days is timely and cost-effectively screened for benefits under this section referred to a vocational rehabilitation counselor.
The rules shall:
(A) Provide that all vocational rehabilitation work, except for initial screenings, be performed by a Vermont-certified vocational rehabilitation counselor, including counselors currently certified pursuant to the rules of the Department.
Initial screenings shall be performed by an individual with sufficient knowledge or experience to perform adequately the vocational rehabilitation screening functions.
(B) Provide for an initial screening to determine whether a full assessment is appropriate.
An injured worker who is determined to be eligible for a full assessment shall be timely assessed and offered appropriate vocational rehabilitation services.
[Repealed.] (C) Provide a mechanism for a periodic and timely screening of injured workers who are initially found not to be ready or eligible for a full assessment to determine whether a full assessment has become appropriate.
VT LEG #387882 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 4 of 6 (2) two representatives on behalf of workers’ compensation claimants, one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one of whom shall be appointed by the Committee on Committees;
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 7 of 8 (2) two representatives on behalf of workers’ compensation claimants, one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one of whom shall be appointed by the Committee on Committees;
(1) What mechanisms could better identify which claimants are likely to require vocational rehabilitation services? (2) Could utilization of vocational services be improved by enabling claimants to access vocational rehabilitation benefits while receiving wage replacement benefits? VT LEG #387882 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 5 of 6 (3) Could the workers’ compensation system take into account the diminished earning capacity of those claimants who are unable to earn a preinjury wage but are not eligible to receive permanent total disability benefits? (4) Should the average weekly wage be indexed to the cost of living for vocational rehabilitation purposes? (5) What improvements could be made to ensure that vocational rehabilitation providers who provide services to workers’ compensation claimants are familiar with Vermont’s workers’ compensation system? (6) Are some of the current requirements for providing vocational rehabilitation services too onerous and administratively unnecessary? (7) How could the Department of Labor’s oversight of vocational rehabilitation be improved? (8) How could vocational rehabilitation services be provided in a way that is more cost-effective for the workers’ compensation system? (d) Meetings.
(1) What mechanisms could better identify which claimants are likely to require vocational rehabilitation services? (2) Could utilization of vocational services be improved by enabling claimants to access vocational rehabilitation benefits while receiving wage replacement benefits? (3) Could the workers’ compensation system take into account the diminished earning capacity of those claimants who are unable to earn a preinjury wage but are not eligible to receive permanent total disability benefits? (4) Should the average weekly wage be indexed to the cost of living for vocational rehabilitation purposes? (5) What improvements could be made to ensure that vocational rehabilitation providers who provide services to workers’ compensation claimants are familiar with Vermont’s workers’ compensation system? (6) Are some of the current requirements for providing vocational rehabilitation services too onerous and administratively unnecessary? (7) How could the Department of Labor’s oversight of vocational rehabilitation be improved? (8) How could vocational rehabilitation services be provided in a way that is more cost-effective for the workers’ compensation system? BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 8 of 8 (d) Meetings.
VT LEG #387882 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.173 Page 6 of 6 (f) Report.
(f) Report.
VT LEG #387882 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 21, 2026

  2. Signed by Governor on May 21, 2026

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 15, 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. New Business/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: Third Reading

  16. Third Reading ordered

  17. Report of Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, as amended, agreed to

  18. Report of Committee on Commerce and Economic Development amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations

  19. Rep. Nigro of Bennington recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

  20. Rep. Cooper of Pownal reported for the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

  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 Commerce and Economic Development

  27. Title amended as recommended by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

  28. Read 3rd time & passed

  29. New Business/Third Reading

  30. 3rd reading ordered

  31. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs agreed to

  32. Reported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations

  33. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Weeks for Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

  34. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  35. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

  36. New Business/Second Reading

  37. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  38. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

  39. Second Reading

  40. Entered on Notice Calendar

  41. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  42. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

  43. Second Reading

  44. Entered on Notice Calendar

  45. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs

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

labor education
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 173?
S 173 is sponsored by Kesha K Ram Hinsdale (Democrat).
What is the current status of S 173?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track S 173?
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