Action Taken by Governor Phil Scott on Legislation - April 27, 2026

Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Phil Scott announced action on the following bills, passed by the General Assembly.

On April 27, Governor Scott signed bills of the following titles:

• H.237 , An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists
• H.508 , An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington
• H.549 ,An act relating to eligibility of sentenced or detained individuals to obtain a State-issued nondriver identification card, replacement operator's license, or replacement learner's permit
• H.744 , An act relating to procedures for release after arrest
• H.917 , An act relating to military affairs

When signing H.237, Governor Scott sent the following letter to the General Assembly :

Dear Legislators:

Today I signed H.237, an act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists.

I support the idea of expanding the scope of doctoral-level psychologist licensing to increase access to care. Mental health, like physical health, is an area where the need outpaces the number of available qualified providers. So, we must try creative approaches to address the issues of access and cost Vermonters face in our current health care system.

I appreciate the safeguards this bill puts in place with additional training requirements and the requirement for prescribing psychologists to work with collaborating psychiatrists to ensure clinical safety and accountability. However, it's unfortunate the experts at the Department of Mental Health, who could have shared important perspectives on public health and safety, were not asked to testify on H.237 prior to passage. I urge the Board of Psychological Examiners to consult closely with the Department of Mental Health regarding rulemaking.

I also advise adding a report on the status of this effort in 2030 and 2031 as well as the single statutory date of 2032; and adding an assessment of clinical and health outcomes for patients treated by doctoral-level psychologists as a component of the review for an update to necessary qualifications.

Alternatively, the Legislature should revisit this bill and address these important considerations.

Sincerely,

/s/

Philip B. Scott

Governor

On April 27, Governor Scott allowed H.849, An act relating to a civil action for damages for deprivation of federal constitutional rights by any government official to become law without his signature and sent a letter to the General Assembly:

Dear Ms. Wrask:

Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, H.849, an act relating to civil action for damages for deprivation of federal constitutional rights by any government official, will become lawwithout my signature.

While I feel it's important to preserve and protect the Constitutional rights of all Americans and appreciate this bill seeks to hold government officials accountable in state court when a remedy may not be available under federal law, I'm concerned about the constitutionality of this policy and other well-intentioned proposals, which may give Vermonters false hope.

Having said that, the Attorney General has advised they feel the bill is defensible, so I'm allowing it to become law without signature, and we'll see if this, and similar measures enacted in other states hold up in court.

Sincerely,

/s/

Philip B. Scott

Governor

To view a complete list of action on bills passed during the 2026 legislative session, click here.