Vermont Human Rights Commission tells House panel disability complaints dominate caseload, urges stronger local voting access and Olmstead review

Big Hartman, identifying themself as executive director and general counsel of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, told the House Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee that disability discrimination now makes up a substantial portion of the commission’s workload and urged lawmakers to act on several recommendations from the commission's November civil rights summit.

"We are seeking to protect people primarily from discrimination," Big Hartman said in opening remarks, describing the HRC as a small agency with nine employees that investigates complaints, attempts resolution, and can file suit when necessary. Big Hartman said HRC currently has 14 cases actively in litigation and that about 60% of the commission's active complaints involve disability — citing a current snapshot of 44 of 69 open cases based on disability allegations.

The presentation summarized three enforcement areas where the HRC has authority: fair housing, places of public accommodation, and limited jurisdiction over state‑employee employment complaints. On housing, Big Hartman highlighted tenants’ rights to reasonable accommodations (such as assigned accessible parking or waiving pet fees for assistance animals) and reasonable modifications (structural changes such as grab bars or visual fire alarm strobes), while noting landlords may raise defenses including lack of nexus to disability, undue burden, or requests that would fundamentally alter services.

On public accommodations, the HRC witness described Vermont’s state law as more expansive than federal analogues in some respects and urged more education for businesses about accessibility obligations. Big Hartman said HRC is managing a growing number of service‑animal complaints, and warned businesses to limit questions to the narrow set of legally permissible inquiries rather than asking for medical proof or certifications.

On policy recommendations, the HRC highlighted voting access as a pressing problem. Big Hartman said Vermont "ranks as one of the worst states in the entire country for accessibility of our voting," because many local elections and town meetings still expect in‑person attendance and routinely deny reasonable accommodations or remote participation; advocates at the summit recommended expanded use of the Australian ballot in local elections and greater resources for towns to provide accommodations.

The HRC also urged lawmakers to consider establishing a permanent Olmstead commission to study unnecessary institutionalization and update a state plan that has not been revised in roughly 20 years, and to address workforce problems in in‑home care — including proposals for a livable wage for those workers.

Big Hartman told the committee the commission would be willing to return with more detailed data and summit materials. The committee thanked the HRC and flagged follow‑up opportunities for hearings or more detailed testimony.

What's next: HRC offered to return to provide a deeper breakdown of jurisdictional casework and the summit report; the committee did not vote on legislation during the presentation.