Bill > H0901

This bill aims to significantly improve emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities by mandating the integration of disability expertise into state, regional, and municipal emergency management plans. It requires these plans to adopt an "access and functional needs framework," which means considering the diverse needs of all individuals, particularly those with disabilities, during emergencies. A key component of this framework is the "C-MIST" process, an acronym standing for Communication, Medical needs, Independence, Supervision, and Transportation, which will be used to identify specific needs, provide necessary accommodations, and ensure operational support for these individuals. Furthermore, regional and local emergency management organizations will be required to include individuals with lived disability experience and representatives from organizations serving vulnerable populations on their planning teams, and municipalities must partner with disability-led organizations throughout the entire planning process. The bill also directs the Division of Emergency Management to update planning templates and guidance to explicitly address universal access in shelter siting and the inclusion of individuals with diverse functional needs. Minimum standards for municipal emergency management planning will be established, covering shelter siting, training, accessible communications and alerts, and service coordination. Educational corporations will also be required to develop emergency management plans that include evacuation plans for students with disabilities, continuity of education services for them during emergencies, and integration of these plans into their individualized education programs (IEPs). The bill also proposes changes to housing and high-rise evacuation strategies, prohibiting the use of disability disaster registries, promoting "housing first" principles (prioritizing immediate housing solutions), and ensuring alignment with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Finally, it establishes requirements for inclusive planning and interagency coordination, including the designation of state and municipal Access and Functional Needs Coordinators, mandatory disability-led training programs, accessible communication systems, inclusive emergency response exercises, and after-action reviews to identify and address accessibility gaps, with state agencies also tasked with inspecting emergency shelter spaces for ADA compliance.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.901