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House advances $ — H.660 targets opioid settlement funds to recovery, harm reduction and prevention
Summary
The House approved amendments and ordered third reading on H.660, a bill allocating opioid settlement funds across recovery housing, syringe services, peer coaching in corrections, EMS buprenorphine programs and youth prevention programs, with increased oversight by the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.
The Vermont House advanced H.660, a bill to appropriate FY2027 opioid abatement special fund dollars and investments from the substance misuse prevention special fund to statewide recovery, harm reduction and prevention programs.
Representative Maguire (member from Rutland City) described the bill’s allocations: $455,000 to Department of Health outreach and case management positions; $1.6 million for certified recovery residences; $855,000 for syringe service programs; $1.1 million to the Department of Corrections for peer recovery coaches; $250,000 to Office of Economic Opportunity for shelter-based harm reduction; $900,000 for new recovery beds statewide and an additional $300,000 targeted to communities with capacity gaps. The bill also allocates funding for EMS-based buprenorphine (Prevent program), transitional housing, regional public safety enhancement teams, and several youth prevention grants.
Appropriations Committee consolidated some prevention appropriations to be funded from opioid settlement dollars because the Substance Misuse Prevention Fund is fully committed. The Committee also required evaluations and reporting to ensure sustainability and asked the Department of Health to assess prior uses of the prevention fund.
The bill strengthens oversight requirements for the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, requires consultation with people with lived experience and equity partners, and pauses acceptance of new proposals for FY28 except those already designated for annual funding to allow evaluation of outcomes.
The House ordered third reading after committee amendments and took voice votes; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally.
