Bill > S0117

This bill makes several modifications to wage and hour, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation laws in Vermont. For wage and hour provisions, the bill changes the enforcement of unpaid wages by mandating that employers who willfully withhold wages must pay an additional amount up to twice the unpaid wages, with half going to the employee and half to administrative costs. It also adjusts the minimum wage calculation method, rounding percentage increases to one decimal point. In unemployment compensation, the bill introduces electronic communication options for notices and determinations, modifies calculation methods for benefit rates, and updates provisions related to employer reporting and successor entities. For workers' compensation, the bill adds definitions for medical case management, requires employers to provide translation services for non-English speaking employees, and establishes new preauthorization procedures for medical services and case management. The bill also introduces a graduated late payment penalty system for benefit payments, with increasing percentages for repeated late payments. Most provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with some specific sections having nuanced effective dates related to technology system modernization.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs (S)

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.117