Legislative counsel gives checklist as Corrections & Institutions committee reexamines MOUD policy in H.32

The Corrections & Institutions Committee turned to H.32 on Feb. 19, working through a policy checklist from legislative counsel designed to clarify choices the legislature must make about providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in correctional facilities.

Legislative context and checklist Katie, Legislative Counsel with the Office of Legislative Counsel, told the committee the session would focus on policy choices rather than drafting precise bill text at first. She reviewed separation‑of‑powers principles and said courts allow overlap among branches so long as one branch does not “so completely encroach” on another’s constitutional functions. "What is the problem we're trying to solve?" Katie asked the committee, and she offered a checklist of issues including who should deliver MOUD, when people should be screened, which medications to provide, reentry planning, staff training, data collection and funding.

Parity and current practice Representative Troy (committee sponsor) and other members said parity with community care is a principal concern: the committee wants to ensure incarcerated people receive an equivalent standard of MOUD as community patients. Tony Fallin of the Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use, said the…