An act relating to distributing funds to the Vermont Language Justice Project

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Martine Gulick

The bill would fund the Vermont Language Justice Project with $150,000 to create multilingual public health materials for non-English speakers during disease outbreaks and emergenc

Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 16, 2026

Purpose and Intent

The bill would require the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) to distribute funds to the Vermont Language Justice Project (VLJP).

The goal is to create informational materials for Vermonters who speak languages other than English in the event of a disease outbreak or other public health emergency.

Overall aim: improve language access and public health communication during emergencies.

Key Provisions

Funding and appropriation

In fiscal year 2027, the bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health.
The Department of Health would distribute these funds to the VLJP to develop informational materials.

Scope of materials

Materials to be produced specifically for Vermonters who speak languages other than English.
Focus on information relevant to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

Effective date

The act would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Who Would Be Affected

Primary recipient

Vermont Language Justice Project (VLJP) would receive funds via the Department of Health.

Target population for materials

Non-English speaking residents of Vermont (language minority communities) who may need accessible health information during outbreaks or emergencies.

State agencies involved

Vermont Department of Health administers the appropriation and distribution.
VLJP would be responsible for creating and delivering the informational materials.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Process and oversight

The bill moves funding through the General Fund to the Department of Health, then to VLJP for implementation.
The supporting documents indicate involvement from multiple stakeholders, including the Senate and House committees on Appropriations, Health and Welfare, and Human Services, as well as public health and equity offices.

Legislative timeline

Introduced by Sen. Martine Gulick.
Referred to committees and advanced through standard Vermont legislative procedures in 2026.
As of the latest action: referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations (Rule 35(a)); subsequent favorable reports and amendments noted; eventual passage would lead to enactment and funding implementation in fiscal year 2027.

Additional Context

The bill aligns with health equity and language access initiatives by explicitly funding multilingual health communications.

The accompanying materials and testimony suggest collaboration with: Vermont Emergency Management, Hunger Free Vermont, health equity staff at the Department of Health, and the VLJP leadership.

Bottom Line

S.243 would authorize a one-time General Fund appropriation of $150,000 to support the development of multilingual informational materials through the Vermont Language Justice Project, enabling better public health communication for non-English-speaking Vermonters during disease outbreaks and other emergencies. The measure becomes effective July 1, 2026, with funds targeting distribution in fiscal year 2027.

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