End of life choices hearing on Tuesday
The House Judiciary and Human Services committees will take a second round of public testimony on the End of Life Choices bill on Tuesday. The House is considering the Senate version of the bill, S.77, and will be taking up the issue before the end of the month. It’s likely that representatives will restore the legislation to its original form, which ensured that terminally ill patients have the right to obtain lethal prescription drugs.
If the House and Senate can agree on final language in conference committee, the bill is likely to be enacted this year. Gov. Peter Shumlin has said he would sign the legislation.
Written comments can be sent to kwilson@leg.state.vt.us at House Judiciary and jtucker@leg.state.vt.us at House Health and Welfare.
Taser hearing on Wednesday
The death of Macadam Mason, a Thetford man who was killed by a Vermont State Police officer last summer, has raised questions about police use of Tasers. The House Government Operations Committee is considering a bill that would require more law enforcement training in the use of stun guns. About 30 police departments in Vermont have Tasers.
Though the House is likely to take up H.225 this year, it’s likely that the Senate will delay action on the bill until next year.
The House will hear public testimony on H.225 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Room 11 of the Statehouse. People who wish to testify may sign up at 5 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to the House Government Operations staff member, Denise Diehl, ddiehl@leg.state.vt.us.
Paid sick leave hearing on Thursday
If H.208 passes, Vermont workers will, for the first time, have the right to paid sick days. About 100,000 workers would be affected by the legislation, if it passes, according to the Vermont Workers’ Center, a nonprofit group that is supported by union groups.
Under the proposal, workers would earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, or seven days per year.
The House General, Housing and Military Affairs committee will hold a hearing on the Earned Paid Sick Days Bill will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Statehouse.
