Bill
Bill > H0189
VT H0189
VT H0189An act relating to funding support services for persons who use drugs and eliminating misdemeanor criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing a personal use drug supply
summary
Introduced
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
In Committee
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to establish the Community Care, Health, and Safety Special Fund to provide grants for the establishment and operation of community-based services intended to reduce the harms of drug use and meet the needs of persons suffering from substance use disorder; designate 40 percent of the cannabis excise tax and a portion of the monies from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund for the Community Care, Health, and Safety Special Fund; eliminate criminal penalties for possessing and dispensing a personal use supply of drugs; require that a person found to be possessing or dispensing an amount of a personal-use quantity of a regulated drug be provided information and access to available services and authorize the provision of monetary-equivalent incentives for participation in a needs assessment; and establish the Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board for the purpose of determining the benchmark personal use supply for regulated drugs with a goal of preventing and reducing the criminalization of H.189 personal drug use and to distribute grants from the Community Care, Health, and Safety Special Fund.
AI Summary
This bill proposes a comprehensive approach to drug policy reform in Vermont, shifting from a criminal justice model to a public health-centered strategy. The bill eliminates criminal penalties for possessing or dispensing personal use quantities of regulated drugs and establishes the Community Care, Health, and Safety Special Fund to support harm reduction and drug-related services. Key provisions include creating a Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board to determine benchmark personal use supplies for different drugs, establishing a framework for health needs screenings for individuals found with small amounts of drugs, and redirecting funding from criminal enforcement to prevention and treatment services. The bill is motivated by findings that current drug policies have been ineffective in reducing overdose deaths, disproportionately impact people of color, and create significant social and economic barriers for individuals. Funding for the new approach will come from 40% of cannabis excise tax revenues and a portion of opioid settlement funds, with the goal of providing comprehensive services like community care resource centers, intensive case management, peer support, low-barrier treatment, and mobile outreach teams. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, following a period of implementation planning.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary (on 02/11/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.189 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0189/H-0189%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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