Vermont committee reviews unpaid family leave and safe leave for domestic violence survivors

The Vermont Senate Economic Development Committee convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding unpaid family leave and cannabis legislation. The meeting highlighted the need for better data on the participation in the state's voluntary unpaid family leave program and the importance of expanding protections for survivors of domestic violence.

During the session, representatives from the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) emphasized the challenges in tracking who utilizes the federal unpaid family leave program. They noted that the program, which recently opened for voluntary participation, is currently state-based and limited by privacy laws, making it difficult to gather comprehensive data on its usage. Committee members expressed a desire to understand better who is taking unpaid leave and the circumstances that lead them to do so.

The discussion also included a focus on the proposed "safe leave" legislation, which aims to provide unpaid leave for survivors of domestic violence. Charley Glisserman, policy director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, presented compelling testimony about the necessity of allowing survivors to take time off work without fear of losing their jobs. Glisserman shared a poignant story about a survivor navigating the legal system, underscoring the need for such protections to ensure that individuals can access essential services without jeopardizing their employment.

The committee also addressed proposed amendments to the safe leave bill, including suggestions to reference civil definitions of abuse and streamline existing court leave protections. The committee plans to revisit these discussions in a future meeting to further refine the legislation.

In addition to family leave issues, the committee shifted its focus to cannabis legislation, discussing a bill that aims to fine-tune the state's cannabis market. The bill received unanimous support in committee, indicating broad agreement on its provisions. Key topics included extending employee ID card validity and addressing compliance issues within the cannabis industry.

Overall, the meeting underscored the Vermont Senate's commitment to enhancing protections for vulnerable populations while also addressing the evolving landscape of cannabis regulation. The committee plans to continue its discussions on both topics in upcoming sessions, aiming to create effective policies that support families and individuals in need.