Bill > H0165

This bill aims to create an Inclusive Schools Protection Fund to support educational programs and initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion for students, particularly those in marginalized communities. The fund would help offset potential reductions in federal funding for such programs and provide direct financial support to school districts. Key priorities include supporting LGBTQ+ student programs, developing antidiscrimination initiatives, creating inclusive curriculum, and providing training for educators on equity issues. The bill would also protect funding for important student support services like gender and sexuality alliances, school equity coordinators, and mental health and anti-bullying programs targeting marginalized students. Additionally, the Agency of Education would be required to conduct annual reporting on the effectiveness of the state's funding efforts to support inclusivity, and the bill calls for exploring alternative revenue streams to supplement the Inclusive Schools Protection Fund. While the full legislative text appears to be abbreviated in this document, the government-provided summary offers a comprehensive overview of the bill's intent and proposed mechanisms for supporting inclusive education.

Education

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.165