WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 835

An act relating to supporting homeless students

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jubilee McGill

The bill aims to improve access, stability, and success for homeless students by ensuring enrollment, supports, and coordinated services across districts.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 835

Overview

H 835 (Session 2025-2026, Vermont) is titled “An act relating to supporting homeless students.” The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Education on January 29, 2026. The sponsor is a co-sponsor: Jubilee McGill. The bill aims to address needs and supports for students experiencing homelessness within the state.

Purpose and intent

  • To improve educational access, stability, and success for students who are homeless.
  • To reduce barriers to enrollment, attendance, and achievement by providing targeted supports and protections.
  • To align Vermont policies with best practices for assisting homeless students, ensuring they receive appropriate resources and services within the public school system.

Key provisions and changes (as described in the bill text and summary)

Note: The following highlights are based on the bill’s stated focus and typical provisions found in similar measures addressing homeless student supports. If enacted, the bill could include some or all of these elements:

  • Enrollment and attendance

    • Streamlined enrollment processes for students experiencing homelessness, including immediate enrollment without typical documentation obstacles.
    • Protections to prevent unwarranted enrollment delays or barriers that could disrupt learning.

  • Local education agency responsibilities

    • Require school districts or supervisory unions to identify students experiencing homelessness and coordinate appropriate supports.
    • Establish point-person roles (e.g., homeless liaison or similar position) within districts to coordinate services.

  • Support services and access

    • Access to transportation, case management, and supportive services to address barriers to attendance and learning.
    • Provision or reimbursement of essential items (e.g., school supplies, uniforms) and access to basic needs through district resources or partnerships.

  • Academic and social-emotional supports

    • Targeted tutoring, counseling, and access to mental health resources as needed to maintain or improve academic progress.
    • Support for transitions between schools or grade levels to minimize disruption.

  • Data collection and accountability

    • Requirements for data collection and reporting to monitor the number of homeless students, resource allocation, attendance, and progress.
    • Compliance measures for districts to ensure fidelity to the act’s requirements.

  • Funding and resources

    • Potential authorization of state funds or reallocation of existing resources to support homeless student services.
    • Clear delineation of eligible expenditures and reporting on use of funds.

  • Collaboration and coordination

    • Encouragement of partnerships with community organizations, shelters, and social services to provide comprehensive support.

Who would be affected

  • Students experiencing homelessness would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining improved access to enrollment, services, and academic supports.
  • Public schools, districts, and supervisory unions would implement and coordinate the required provisions.
  • School administrators, teachers, and school-based staff (e.g., homeless liaisons or coordinators) would have enhanced responsibilities and potential access to additional resources.
  • Families and guardians of homeless students could experience more consistent support and easier navigation of school requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education on January 29, 2026.
  • Next steps (typical in this process): Committee study and hearings, potential amendments, approval by the House, and then progression to the Senate for consideration, followed by any conference or reconciliation processes and eventual enactment or veto considerations.
  • Implementation timeline would typically be set if the bill advances to law, including phased rollouts, funding cycles, and reporting deadlines.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positive impact on educational stability and performance for homeless students through streamlined enrollment, supportive services, and targeted academic assistance.
  • Administrative and financial implications for school districts, including potential need for staff (e.g., homeless liaison) and data reporting systems.
  • Emphasis on cross-agency and community collaboration to address the multifaceted needs of homeless students.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to reflect the full text of the bill (once available) or incorporate any amendments introduced during committee hearings.

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

Sign in to ask a question.