House Education reviews H.130 to expand advisory council on harassment, hazing and bullying

The Vermont House Education Committee reviewed H.130 on April 22, 2025, a bill that would expand the membership and duties of the state advisory council on harassment, hazing and bullying prevention in schools and set new meeting and reporting requirements. The committee heard a walkthrough of the bill from legislative counsel but did not take a formal vote in the portion of the transcript provided.

The bill, as described by Beth, legislative counsel for the Office of Legislative Council, would amend Title 16, section 570, replacing the current membership list and adding multiple named appointments from statewide organizations and advocacy groups. "So H130, as introduced, is amending that section, section 5 70," Beth said during the presentation. Under the proposal the secretary of education (or a designee) would chair the council and organizations including the principals association, school boards association,…