H 22 — An act relating to access to information concerning benefit extension agreements for employees of public agencies

Bill Text

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This bill amends Vermont's Public Records Act to make severance pay and benefit extension agreements public records available for inspection and copying.

• 1 V.S.A. § 317

  personal documents relating to an individual, including information in any files maintained to hire, evaluate, promote, or discipline any employee of a public agency; information in any files relating to personal finances; or medical or psychological facts concerning any individual or corporation; → provided, however, that all information in personnel files of an individual employee of any public agency shall be made available to that individual employee or his or her designated representative and information concerning severance pay or the extension of employment benefits beyond the date of separation shall be available for public inspection and copying.

  This change adds an exception to the personal documents exemption, allowing public access to severance pay and benefit extension information.

• 32 V.S.A. chapter 15, subchapter 8

  § 1272. SEVERANCE AND BENEFIT EXTENSION AGREEMENTS; AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND COPYING (a) As used in this section: (1) 'Benefit extension agreements' means an agreement made between a State public agency and an employee that confers severance pay or the extension of an employment benefit beyond the date of separation. (2) 'Public agency' means a 'public agency' as defined by 1 V.S.A. § 317. (b) Benefit extension agreements shall be available for public inspection and copying pursuant to Vermont’s Public Records Act. (c) Annually, on or before July 1, every public agency of the State shall publish an annual report concerning all benefit extension agreements executed by the public agency during the preceding fiscal year. The annual report shall contain: (1) the names and positions of the individuals receiving benefits under a benefit extension agreement; (2) the total amount paid to each individual pursuant to a benefit extension agreement; (3) a list of the specific employment benefits conferred to each individual under a benefit extension agreement; (4) the duration of each benefit extension agreement; and (5) the reasons for employment termination for each individual who receives benefits pursuant to a benefit extension agreement.

  This section establishes the requirement that benefit extension agreements are public records and mandates annual reporting by public agencies regarding these agreements.

• 32 V.S.A. § 1272

  On or before January 15, 2026, each public agency of the State shall publish a report containing the information required by 32 V.S.A. § 1272(c) for the years 2018 through 2025.

  This change requires public agencies to report on benefit extension agreements from previous years, enhancing transparency.

Action History

1. January 09, 2025

   Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

Sponsors

• Edward "Teddy" Waszazak · Primary
• Monique Priestley · Primary
• Kate McCann · Primary
• James W Masland · Primary
• Kate Logan · Primary
• Jim F Harrison · Primary
• Brian J Cina · Primary
• Conor Casey · Primary
• Mollie S. S Burke · Primary
• Daisy Berbeco · Primary
• Troy Headrick · Primary

Subjects