[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6264157,"mediaKeyId","3098811-8f9b79f957c2c4773bd2bb7dbd275bb5","parentId",3098811,"title","Senate committee weighs folding early-childhood licensure into OPR bill, debates fees and timing","audioSeconds",3100,"startMs",2880,"endMs",3103840,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3098811-8f9b79f957c2c4773bd2bb7dbd275bb5&start=2&end=3103","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3098811-8f9b79f957c2c4773bd2bb7dbd275bb5/thumbnail_2880.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264157/Vermont/Senate-committee-weighs-folding-early-childhood-licensure-into-OPR-bill-debates-fees-and-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264157-aef81df991a6e903f218f75ab5559e82/orig.mp4?Expires=1776235814&Signature=TS6IuN2S5F6NrbDGeedh8ODfnGuoXuHXJAw0ERrFD59WyIc3u4OWiwjLS8M27lkAVwDAUYCrsyaej3QzEdGAySd5CgOR8mPwcSmLECUf-c-t-envH6tIzzaL1ml2vkNJlFXN0wWVyJN2BMz~VQdifbdA0tFyjnqlTyOMXIyrxIfjAugaXOAGX3HPiYSX31YI4kn~ThHx2NqiW5-DZw34b1JsM0OKOm--ywgixvAX9-lpwwo-enrZNOg4~hJqBba9lUQ5TGxirEj74Pbr7x9o-xGV~x~93hRPMGTfnbeZbCr2FeHTUs4Ki34wZDYAvREXQfVJnJQ3VxTKfwaKp-zeMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T19:59:28.043Z","article","The Senate Government Operations Committee on April 23 considered folding provisions from H.119 into H.472, the Office of Professional Regulation bill, to create a new licensure chapter for early childhood educators and a Board of Early Childhood Educators.

Committee members and legislative counsel described the combined draft as a ‘‘strike-all’’ approach to incorporate H.119’s provisions into H.472. Tim Devlin, legislative counsel, told the committee the two drafting approaches would have the same legal effect and said they could ‘‘redraft it as such as strike all.’’

The combined draft adds early childhood educators to the professions regulated by OPR, creates a new chapter for early childhood educators, and sets out four licensure categories (ECE 1–3 and a family child care provider category). The bill would authorize a board and specify its membership, powers and duties, and rulemaking authority. The board would be established in fiscal year 2027 with some elements staged so licensure rules and application windows come later.

The draft sets education and experience standards for the highest tier: an Early Childhood Educator 3 requires a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field with at least 120 college credits and field experience. The family child care provider category is intended as a limited grandfathering path: applicants must be operating a family child care home regulated and in good standing with the Child Development Division (CDD) as of January 1, 2028, and the board will stop accepting new family child care provider applications after that date.

The bill also proposes enforcement and disclosure requirements, an extended variance window and language requiring licensees to post and provide information explaining licensure types and who regulates which services to give families clearer guidance.

On funding, the draft authorizes initial staff positions and appropriations to OPR. Committee counsel described two initial positions (one executive officer and one staff attorney) and an FY26 appropriation of $262,000 from the general fund to OPR (committee discussion later referenced FY27 as the operative year for some authorizations). For FY27 the draft authorizes three additional permanent positions and a $628,867 appropriation; it also proposes transferring $1,400,000 from the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP/CCDF) in FY27 to OPR to cover initial licensing and renewal fees for people licensed under the new chapter.

Committee members asked procedural and fiscal questions. Senator White said she supported a strike-all approach if it would not overburden legislative counsel. Members asked staff to request a fiscal note and to consult the Joint Fiscal Office on the funding questions and the proposed use of CCDF funds. Natalie Richards told the committee she understood some funding was included in the budget as a one-time allocation.

No vote was taken. The committee chair said the committee would aim to consider the bill again and expected to vote on it the following week if no new hurdles appear.

Clarifying details, program timing and appropriations remain under discussion and committee members asked OPR and legislative staff for a fiscal note and additional information before a final committee vote.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Government Operations - 2025-04-23 - 1:30PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Government Operations Committee on April 23 considered folding provisions from H.119 into H.472, the Office of Professional Regulation bill, to create a new licensure chapter for early childhood educators and a Board of Early Childhood Educators.","taxTitle","Government Operations, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",38232,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6264152,"Massage therapists urge licensure or establishment regulation; OPR says registration has worked so far",1205,1209005,3326,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3098811-8f9b79f957c2c4773bd2bb7dbd275bb5&start=1209&end=3","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3098811-8f9b79f957c2c4773bd2bb7dbd275bb5/thumbnail_1209005.jpg","/articles/6264152/Vermont/Massage-therapists-urge-licensure-or-establishment-regulation-OPR-says-registration-has-worked-so-far","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264152-5ade51eca7d9187549e11b6536af2d7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776235814&Signature=bhb6hGFOV6tWAB4mms1PMa~IUDIabBUng7OO3DPIzkZefKf~knrYULTFk43vVG7x25U2Z8x2H4kNDV0u6Xj1uX73H6-I-5X5tD2WnJKsqu-d9APis2sUzWwozIS5fgfzOgxMZbhX3GKwjiktJXKH3V5a5-Peb7cqcIdEc4oCclaoqdIMTK5NKpIlvZZsIKrR1OZxTOaT56RtvXAyR9xWoSdULjFfP0nY3pNSI9heTXSnohjOI5E1xLk-6wzEGNSdflKWSC9Tb97PNihT67taIfeaFSZg7CFSfhKElu4vwTK6hhpAKQnlT08HNvQsa6h9Qsbl6A6k5N1osw-QaOvB0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Vermont chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA Vermont) asked the Senate Government Operations Committee on April 23 to add language to H.472 directing the Office of Professional Regulation to consider licensing massage therapists and to include specified stakeholders in a study of regulating massage establishments.

Hercules Leechard, an AMTA Vermont board member and a long‑time practitioner, and Christine Hoover, AMTA government relations, testified that many other states license massage therapists and that licensure would establish minimum education, examination and background-check requirements. Leechard said the association wants OPR to consider licensure and to include massage‑industry stakeholders, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, state’s attorneys and other law enforcement representatives in drafting proposals.

The AMTA witnesses proposed a specific amendment to section 13 of H.472 asking OPR to convene interested stakeholders and submit proposed legislation, which “may include licensure,” by November 15, 2025. The proposed stakeholder list included AMTA Vermont, the Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, state’s attorneys and sheriffs and \"other law enforcement agencies\" so chiefs of police and similar offices could be invited.

AMTA witnesses and committee members discussed fees, enforcement and the registry. AMTA representatives said the current registration fee and biannual renewal are high for what they described as a registration rather than a full license and urged OPR and the committee to consider licensure to enable therapists to meet interstate portability and to participate in some federal programs. They also said the registry on the OPR site causes confusion for practitioners about whether they are licensed.

Jennifer Cohen of the Office of Professional Regulation testified that OPR has repeatedly reviewed the profession, including a March 2024 report, and concluded that registration has provided effective public protection to date. Cohen said OPR has used registration and enforcement authority to investigate and remove practitioners when misconduct occurred and that OPR supports regulation of massage establishments (to permit inspections and oversight of physical premises) even while retaining individual registration rather than converting to full individual licensure at this time.

Committee members questioned whether rules and fees had been fully set and whether additional outreach was needed. Several senators asked OPR to provide more information on how fees are calculated and how many individuals are registered versus practicing. Committee members and witnesses discussed earlier House committee activity: AMTA provided testimony to House Government Operations and House Ways and Means declined to act on the fee issue pending a broader OPR review.

No committee vote was taken on the AMTA amendment. The committee chair said the chair would invite OPR and AMTA representatives back to discuss the proposed amendment again later in the week and that staff would follow up on outstanding fiscal and operational questions.

","Representatives of the Vermont chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association asked the Senate Government Operations Committee to pursue licensure or creation of establishment‑level regulation for massage therapists and to convene stakeholders to produce proposed legislation.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate committee weighs folding early-childhood licensure into OPR bill, debates fees and timing

Massage therapists urge licensure or establishment regulation; OPR says registration has worked so far