Scott vetoes H.291 prison family bill, signs S.27 medical debt and S.36 AHS bills

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced Thursday he had vetoed H.219, An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program. This is his first veto of the session and was mostly done based on constitutional concerns, even as he supports the program (see explanation below). The governor also announced he had signed into law two bills: S.27 related to medical debt and S.36 related to AHS services. 

On May 15, Governor Scott signed bills of the following titles:

• S.27, An act relating to medical debt relief and excluding medical debt from credit reports
• S.36, An act relating to the delivery and payment of certain services provided through the Agency of Human Services, services for persons who are incapacitated, and Human Services Board proceedings

When signing S.27, Governor Scott sent the following letter to the General Assembly:

Dear Legislators:

I appreciate the good work of the Treasurer and legislators to provide relief for those saddled with medical debt they cannot afford to repay.  However, I would be remiss if I did not point out a few of my concerns. First, we should recognize much of this debt has already been written off by healthcare providers as uncollectable and built into higher rates for ratepayers.

Second, with a looming healthcare crisis and our growing crisis of affordability in Vermont, we should anticipate this debt financing program to grow which raises significant concerns about future appropriations and where the funding will come from.

Finally, now that we have created this million-dollar program, we may be disincentivizing repayment because of a misperception that “the State” will eventually pay for it.

Again, I very much appreciate the intent and immediate benefits of S.27 to Vermonters, but we will need to manage this program effectively and pair it with real reforms.

Sincerely,

/s/

Philip B. Scott

Governor

On May 15, Governor Scott returned without signature and vetoed H.219, An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program and sent the following letter to the General Assembly:

Dear Ms. Wrask:

Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, I’m returning H.219, An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program, without my signature because of my objections described herein:

I have no objection to providing family support programs for incarcerated parents and guardians, however, this bill violates the constitutionally mandated, separation of powers by attempting to obligate the Governor to include funding in the annual budget submission to the Legislature.

The Vermont Constitution Chapter II, Section 20 is clear. The Legislature has no authority to direct the Governor on how to establish funding and policy priorities in the Governor’s budget submission. For this reason, I cannot allow this bill to go into law.

I met with several lawmakers to notify them of my intent to veto the bill and provided assurances that, because this program was also included in the budget (H.493, Sec E.338.1), it will move forward in FY26 as planned. I would also welcome the Legislature to send me the bill again with the change, if preferred, or address it next session.

Sincerely,

/s/

Philip B. Scott

Governor 

On May 15, Governor Scott returned without signature and vetoed H.219, An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program and sent the following letter to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions: 

Dear Chair Emmons,

I want to explain my veto of H.219, An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program and provide a path forward.

As I noted in my letter to the House Clerk, my objection to this bill relates solely to Section 2 of H.219 which imposes upon the Governor an obligation to include funding annually for this program in the Governor’s recommended budget to the General Assembly. Constitutional objections aside, which obviously prompted the veto, this funding would be required regardless of other budget constraints or competing policy priorities.

As a policy matter, I support the Legislature’s intent to provide parents and guardians who are incarcerated, with access to services and programs that strengthen family connections. H.219 codifies an existing family support program operating since 2003 at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility known as the Lund Kids-A-Part Parenting Program (KAPP). The goal is to expand this model to other Department of Corrections facilities in order to reduce recidivism and break intergenerational cycles of incarceration.  

I have confirmed $390,000 in Justice Reinvestment Funds have been included in the “Big Bill” to fund both KAPP and a pilot program to benefit incarcerated fathers at the Northern State Correctional facility, which I support. 

Sincerely, 

/s/

Philip B. Scott

Governor 

To view a complete list of action on bills passed during the 2025 legislative session, SEE BELOW or click here.

Action Taken by Governor Scott on Bills During the 2025 Legislative Session

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