Bill > H0218

This bill appropriates funds from the Opioid Abatement Special Fund for fiscal year 2026 to address opioid use disorder and related issues. * The Department of Health receives $1,976,000.00 to fund 26 outreach or case management staff positions within the preferred provider network to engage individuals with substance use disorder. * The Department of Health receives $1,400,000.00 for recovery residences certified by the Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences. * The Department of Health receives $850,000.00 for syringe services. * The Department of Health receives $1,100,000.00 for grants to the City of Burlington for establishing an overdose prevention center, with intent to continue funding through fiscal year 2028. * $800,000.00 is allocated for contingency management pilot programs and ongoing support, with $35,000.00 to the Department of Corrections for distribution to Pathways Vermont and the remainder to the Department of Health. * The Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living receives $850,000.00 for specialized employment services for individuals with opioid use disorder through HireAbility Vermont. * The Department for Children and Families’ Office of Economic Opportunity receives $800,000.00 to support long-term programs at shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness. * The Department of Health receives $309,000.00 for Project Connectionworks in southeastern Vermont to reduce opioid use disorder morbidity and mortality. * The Department of Health receives $200,000.00 for Elevate Youth Services to establish Healthy Youth Program counselors at the Basement Teen Center. * The Department of Health receives $170,000.00 for Spectrum Youth and Family Services to expand opioid use disorder services to youth. * The Department of Health receives $150,000.00 for Connecticut Valley Addiction Services, Inc. to expand opioid use treatment in rural Windsor County. * The Department of Health receives $300,000.00 for Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform and Johnson Health Center to continue the Managed Medical Response Partnership. * Other appropriations include funding for an outreach worker position for Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform ($76,000.00), community training programs by the Brattleboro Fire Department ($32,157.00), a pilot program for wound care by the Champlain Housing Trust ($44,229.00), judicial training on opioid use disorder ($50,000.00), youth center services by Friends for Change ($100,000.00), parenting skills support by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont ($80,000.00), peer support specialists by Northeast Kingdom Community Action ($550,000.00), integrated services by Umbrella ($20,824.00), and an embedded recovery coach by Treatment Associates of Washington County Mental Health ($30,000.00). * All grant agreements require outcome and measurement data collection and reporting. * The bill also amends existing law to update terminology related to medication for opioid use disorder and clarifies the duties and consultation requirements of the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, emphasizing the use of outcome data in recommendations. * This act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.218