Bill > H0764

This bill proposes to exempt projects involving the construction or renovation of psychiatric units within existing hospitals from the "certificate of need" process, which is a regulatory requirement that typically ensures new healthcare facilities or services are necessary and won't duplicate existing ones. Additionally, the bill establishes a new "Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity Working Group" tasked with studying the need for more inpatient psychiatric beds in the state, identifying obstacles to building them, and developing a plan to increase the number of these beds by 25 percent by July 2028, if deemed necessary. This working group will be composed of various stakeholders, including state officials, individuals with lived experience of psychiatric treatment, and representatives from professional organizations, and is expected to report its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 15, 2027.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.764