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HCR 218

House concurrent resolution recognizing April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 144 co-sponsors

Vermont designates April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child to honor and raise awareness of military-connected children and encourage symbolic support like Purple Up! Day.

Ceremonial Reading
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HCR 218

Overview

  • Bill: H.C.R. 218 (House Concurrent Resolution)
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Vermont
  • Purpose: Recognize April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont and encourage related acknowledgment and support.

Main purpose and intent

  • To formally acknowledge and honor the approximately 1.6 million U.S. military children, including those in Vermont, for their resilience, adaptability, and contributions to military families.
  • To recognize April as designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as the Month of the Military Child and to align Vermont’s observance with national efforts.
  • To promote awareness of the unique challenges faced by military-connected youth, such as long deployments and separations, and to applaud their role alongside their families in serving the nation.
  • To support Purple Up! For Military Kids Day as part of the observance, including wearing purple to show solidarity.

Key provisions and changes

  • Official designation: The Vermont General Assembly recognizes April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont.
  • Symbolic activities: Encourages participation in Purple Up! For Military Kids Day, including wearing purple on April 21, 2026, to symbolize support for military children.
  • Public acknowledgement: Directs the Secretary of State to transmit a copy of the resolution to the Vermont National Guard Office of Child & Youth Services.
  • Nature of action: Ceremonial/recognition resolution (non-binding), intended to elevate awareness and goodwill rather than create new laws or programs.

Who/what is affected

  • Military-connected children in Vermont (and their families) are the focus of recognition.
  • Vermont National Guard Office of Child & Youth Services is a key recipient of the resolution, indicating a channel for potential collaboration or outreach.
  • General public and state residents are encouraged to participate in commemorative activities (e.g., Purple Up!) to show support.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Last action: Ceremonial Reading on April 21, 2026.
  • Adoption history: Adopted on concurrence and transmitted to the Senate; ceremonial readings noted.
  • Effective scope: Non-binding resolution; serves as formal acknowledgment by the Vermont General Assembly and does not create statutory requirements or funding.

Additional context

  • Supported by a broad slate of legislators (multiple sponsors and co-sponsors from both chambers), highlighting bipartisan intent to honor military children.
  • The resolution situates Vermont within the broader national observance of the Month of the Military Child and aligns local recognition with federal designation from 1986.

If you’d like, I can tailor this into a shorter summary for a newsletter or a more detailed briefing with potential local program ideas tied to the resolution.

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

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