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H 472

An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill updates Vermont’s professional regulation: it raises fees, expands enforcement tools, updates licensing requirements, and adds duties for the Office of Professional Regula

House message: Governor approved bill on June 11, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 472

Summary — H.472: “An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation” (Vermont)

Status & timeline
- Introduced: 2025 (filed and moved through committees beginning April 1, 2025).
- Passed both chambers (House and Senate) with committee amendments.
- Delivered to Governor: June 5, 2025. Signed by Governor: June 11, 2025. (Governor-approved; effective date not specified in the materials provided.)

Note: The bill file included unrelated materials from other states (an Idaho “Idaho Medical Freedom Act” bill and a Massachusetts docket). This summary addresses Vermont H.472 (Office of Professional Regulation).

Purpose and intent
- Make technical and policy changes to statutes governing professions and occupations regulated by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). Key goals: adjust fee schedules and fund management, expand OPR duties and enforcement tools, update training and licensure requirements for certain professions, and reorganize regulatory responsibilities.

Key provisions and changes
- Fees and fund management
- License verification fee increased from $20 to $30.
- Biennial renewal generally set at $275 (with enumerated exceptions).
- Adds a one-time disciplinary action surcharge of $250 to be paid after a finding of unprofessional conduct; proceeds deposited into the Professional Regulatory Fee Fund.
- Peer support providers / peer recovery support specialists: biennial renewal fee increased from $50 to $75 (effective 2027).
- Clarifies use and administration of the Secretary of State Services Fund; OPR revenues remain separately accounted for.

  • OPR duties and licensing processes

    • OPR must provide pre‑application criminal-background determinations for professions attached to it; the pre-application fee is applied against later license application fees.
    • The Office to use procedures in 26 V.S.A. ch. 57 when reviewing whether regulation of a profession remains necessary.

  • Enforcement and penalties

    • Unauthorized-practice enforcement: civil penalty authority revised so a civil penalty of up to $5,000 may be sought before a board or administrative law officer (text shows raising the previously lower cap).
    • After findings of unprofessional conduct, boards may order the new disciplinary surcharge in addition to other sanctions.

  • Profession-specific changes

    • Cosmetology/barbering education: postsecondary programs must include training on care, styling, and treatment of “textured hair” (defined as coiled, curly, or wavy) — covering cutting/styling techniques, products and tools, hair and scalp health, and cultural competency/historical context.
    • Nursing assistants: a licensee seeking renewal after a lapse of fewer than five years must repeat and pass Department‑approved competency exams.
    • Removes motor vehicle racing from OPR regulatory authority (language in bill indicates regulatory scope adjustments).
    • Repeals provisions related to escrow agents for prepaid funeral expenses.
    • Adds a new position: Executive Officer for the Regulation of Mental Health Professions.

Who is affected
- Licensed professionals and trainees regulated by OPR (cosmetologists, barbering school students, nursing assistants, peer support providers, and others).
- Licensing boards, the Director/OPR staff, licensing applicants (pre-application background determination), and entities subject to enforcement actions.
- Consumers and employers indirectly (through changes to licensing standards, training, and enforcement).

Fiscal impact
- The bill raises several fees (verification fee, peer support renewal, disciplinary surcharge), which should increase regulatory revenues for OPR/Professional Regulatory Fee Fund. No detailed fiscal estimate was included in the provided Vermont materials; specific net fiscal impact depends on implementation and caseload.

Other notes
- The bill bundles multiple, largely administrative and regulatory changes rather than creating a single program. Many changes are statutory clarifications that affect board procedures, fee structures, education standards, and enforcement tools.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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