reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
33 V.S.A. § 1502
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 15 - Special Services for Persons Who Are Blind|§ 1502. Services for persons who are blind

§ 1502. Services for persons who are blind|For the rehabilitation or amelioration of the condition of persons who are blind, the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living may:  (1) Ameliorate the condition of persons who are blind by devising means for their adjustment, care, instruction, and well-being, including the distribution of books, promotion of visits to elders who are blind, and by other expedient and proper means and methods. (2) Furnish medical examinations, physical restoration, guidance and counseling, vocational training, maintenance and transportation, occupational materials, tools, equipment, and licenses. (3) Assist persons who are blind in developing home industries and small business enterprises and marketing their products. (4) Act as an intermediary between persons who are blind and otherwise have a disability and industry for the purpose of arranging industrial homework of a subcontract nature, and pay inherent costs such as workers' compensation insurance and Social Security taxes. (5) Contribute to the support of persons who are blind from this State who are receiving instruction or training in schools or institutions outside the State. (6) [Repealed.]  (Added 1967, No. 147, § 2; amended 1973, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. April 14, 1974; 1981, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 90; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 202; 2017, No. 3, § 66, eff. March 2, 2017.)
33 V.S.A. § 1601
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 16 - Vermont Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Advisory Council|§ 1601. Definitions

§ 1601. Definitions|As used in this chapter:  (1) "Communication or language mode" means verbal or nonverbal communication that includes listening, speaking, American Sign Language (ASL), Signed English, Signed Support, reading, and writing in all domains of a language. Reference to the communication mode of individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind distinguishes between modality and language. Systems that assist individuals using a particular modality or language include ASL, spoken English, Signed English, sign-supported speech, speech or lip reading, cued speech, and assistive technology. (2) "Deaf" means having a severe or complete absence of auditory sensitivity that impairs processing of linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification or cochlear implants. Participation in Deaf Community culture and use of ASL are characteristic of persons who identify as Deaf. (3) "DeafBlind" means having concomitant hearing and visual impairments. (4) "Department" means the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. (5) "Hard of Hearing" means a reduced level of functional hearing and reliance on residual hearing and technology, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM listening systems, and other types of assistive listening devices to communicate via verbal language, with or without use of ASL. (Added 2015, No. 107 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 12, 2016.)
33 V.S.A. § 1701
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 17 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|§ 1701. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

§ 1701. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|(a) The State of Vermont may participate in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pursuant to 7 U.S.C. chapter 51. The purpose of SNAP is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among households with low income by increasing their food purchasing power and access to nutritious, safe food.(b) An individual domiciled in Vermont shall be exempt from the disqualification provided for in 21 U.S.C. § 862a.(c) The Commissioner may adopt, amend, or repeal rules governing the operation of the Program in the State pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.(d) As used in this chapter, "Commissioner" means the Commissioner for Children and Families and "Department" means the Department for Children and Families. (Added 1967, No. 147, § 2; amended 1969, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), eff. Feb. 16, 1970; 1973, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. April 14, 1974; 1999, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 91, 140; 2009, No. 1 (Sp. Sess.), § E.322; 2013, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 37, eff. May 20, 2014; 2017, No. 104 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
33 V.S.A. § 1702
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 17 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|§ 1702. Payment error rate report

§ 1702. Payment error rate report|On or before January 1 of the year following any federal fiscal year in which the State of Vermont receives a federal sanction for a payment error rate greater than the federal threshold in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Department for Children and Families shall report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations regarding:  (1) the number of households that received SNAP benefits and were discovered to have an overpayment or underpayment in the sanction year due to agency error, including the average amount of the overpayments and underpayments and the total amount of each; and (2) the Department's specific plans for sanction reinvestment to improve its error rate for the next federal fiscal year and prevent sanction in the future. (Added 2013, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § E.316; amended 2017, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 21, 2018.)
33 V.S.A. § 1703
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 17 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|§ 1703. Changes to program administration

§ 1703. Changes to program administration|(a)(1) The Department shall report to the Chairs of the House Committee on Human Services and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and any interested stakeholders within 30 days after any substantive change in the federal law governing SNAP that:   (A) restricts or improves eligibility; (B) increases or reduces barriers or creates or eliminates hardships to access; or (C) inhibits or increases benefit usage.  (2) Within 90 days after a change described pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the Department shall provide an analysis to the Chairs of any anticipated administrative costs to the Department and any impacts on SNAP applicants and participants as a result of the change.   (b) The Commissioner may convene a meeting of interested stakeholders to discuss a change listed in subsection (a) of this section. (Added 2017, No. 104 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
33 V.S.A. § 1801
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1801. Purpose

§ 1801. Purpose|(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a Vermont Health Benefit Exchange which meets the policy established in 18 V.S.A. § 9401 and, to the extent allowable under federal law or a waiver of federal law, becomes the mechanism to create Green Mountain Care.(b) The purpose of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange is to facilitate the purchase of affordable, qualified health benefit plans in the individual and group markets in this State in order to reduce the number of uninsured and underinsured; to reduce disruption when individuals lose employer-based insurance; to reduce administrative costs in the insurance market; to contain costs; to promote health, prevention, and healthy lifestyles by individuals; and to improve quality of health care.(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to reduce, diminish, or otherwise infringe upon the benefits provided to eligible individuals under Medicare. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)
33 V.S.A. § 1804
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1804. Qualified employers

§ 1804. Qualified employers|(a)(1) Until January 1, 2016, a qualified employer shall be an entity which employed an average of not more than 50 employees on working days during the preceding calendar year, and the term "qualified employer" includes self-employed persons to the extent permitted under the Affordable Care Act. Calculation of the number of employees of a qualified employer shall not include a part-time employee who works fewer than 30 hours per week or a seasonal worker as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 4980H(c)(2)(B).  (2) An employer with 50 or fewer employees that offers a qualified health benefit plan to its employees through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange may continue to participate in the Exchange even if the employer's size grows beyond 50 employees as long as the employer continuously makes qualified health benefit plans in the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange available to its employees.   (b)(1) On and after January 1, 2016, a qualified employer shall be an entity which employed an average of not more than 100 employees on working days during the preceding calendar year and the term "qualified employer" includes self-employed persons to the extent permitted under the Affordable Care Act. The number of employees shall be calculated using the method set forth in 26 U.S.C. § 4980H(c)(2).  (2) An employer with 100 or fewer employees that offers a qualified health benefit plan to its employees through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange may continue to participate in the Exchange even if the employer's size grows beyond 100 employees as long as the employer continuously makes qualified health benefit plans in the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange available to its employees.   (c) [Repealed.]  (Added 2011, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2013, No. 79, § 28, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; 2015, No. 54, § 14, eff. June 5, 2015; 2015, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
33 V.S.A. § 1807
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1807. Navigators

§ 1807. Navigators|(a)(1) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall establish a navigator program to assist individuals and employers in enrolling in a qualified health benefit plan offered under the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall select individuals and entities qualified to serve as navigators and shall award grants to navigators for the performance of their duties.  (2) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall ensure that navigators are available to provide assistance in person or through interactive technology to individuals in all regions of the State in a manner that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (3) Consistent with Section 1311(i)(4) of the Affordable Care Act, health insurers shall not serve as navigators, and no navigator shall receive any compensation from a health insurer in connection with enrolling individuals or employees in qualified health benefit plans.   (b) Navigators shall have the following duties:  (1) conduct public education activities to raise awareness of the availability of qualified health benefit plans; (2) distribute fair and impartial information concerning enrollment in qualified health benefit plans and concerning the availability of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions; (3) facilitate enrollment in qualified health benefit plans, Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, VPharm, and other public health benefit programs; (4) provide referrals to the Office of the Health Care Advocate and any other appropriate agency for any enrollee with a grievance, complaint, or question regarding his or her health benefit plan, coverage, or a determination under that plan or coverage; (5) provide information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served by the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange; and (6) distribute information to health care professionals, community organizations, and others to facilitate the enrollment of individuals who are eligible for Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, VPharm, other public health benefit programs, or the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange in order to ensure that all eligible individuals are enrolled. (7) [Repealed.]  (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4; amended 2011, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 2b; 2013, No. 79, §§ 22, 35h, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; 2019, No. 15, § 1, eff. May 6, 2019.)
33 V.S.A. § 1808
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1808. Financial integrity

§ 1808. Financial integrity|(a) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall:  (1) keep an accurate accounting of all activities, receipts, and expenditures and submit this information annually as required by federal law; and (2) cooperate with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in any investigation into the affairs of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange, any examination of the properties and records of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange, or any requirement for periodic reports in relation to the activities undertaken by the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange.   (b) In carrying out its activities under this subchapter, the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall not use any funds intended for the administrative and operational expenses of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange for staff retreats, promotional giveaways, excessive executive compensation, or promotion of federal or State legislative or regulatory modifications. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)
33 V.S.A. § 1809
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1809. Publication of costs and satisfaction surveys

§ 1809. Publication of costs and satisfaction surveys|(a) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall publish the average costs of licensing, regulatory fees, and any other payments required by the Exchange, as well as the administrative costs of the Exchange, on a website intended to educate consumers about such costs. This information shall include information on monies lost to waste, fraud, and abuse.(b) The Vermont Health Benefit Exchange shall publish the deidentified results of the satisfaction surveys and other evaluation mechanisms required pursuant to subdivision 1805(13) of this title on a website intended to enable consumers to compare the qualified health benefit plans offered through the Exchange. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)
33 V.S.A. § 1810
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1810. Rules

§ 1810. Rules|The Secretary of Human Services may adopt rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 as needed to carry out the duties and functions established in this subchapter. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)
33 V.S.A. § 1812
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1812. Financial assistance to individuals

§ 1812. Financial assistance to individuals|(a)(1) An individual or family eligible for federal premium tax credits under 26 U.S.C. § 36B with income less than or equal to 300 percent of federal poverty level shall be eligible for premium assistance from the State of Vermont.  (2) The Department of Vermont Health Access shall establish a premium schedule on a sliding scale based on modified adjusted gross income for the individuals and families described in subdivision (1) of this subsection. The Department shall reduce the premium contribution for these individuals and families by 1.5 percent below the premium amount established in 26 U.S.C. § 36B. (3) Premium assistance shall be available for the same qualified health benefit plans for which federal premium tax credits are available.   (b)(1) An individual or family with income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level shall be eligible for cost-sharing assistance, including a reduction in the out-of-pocket maximums established under Section 1402 of the Affordable Care Act.  (2) The Department of Vermont Health Access shall establish cost-sharing assistance on a sliding scale based on modified adjusted gross income for the individuals and families described in subdivision (1) of this subsection. Cost-sharing assistance shall be established as follows:  (A) for households with income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL): 94 percent actuarial value; (B) for households with income above 150 percent FPL and at or below 200 percent FPL: 87 percent actuarial value; (C) for households with income above 200 percent FPL and at or below 250 percent FPL: 77 percent actuarial value; (D) for households with income above 250 percent FPL and at or below 300 percent FPL: 73 percent actuarial value.  (3) Cost-sharing assistance shall be available for silver-level qualified health benefit plans purchased through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange and shall be administered using the same methods as set forth in Section 1402 of the Affordable Care Act to the extent practicable.   (c) To the extent feasible, the Department shall use the same mechanisms provided in the Affordable Care Act to establish financial assistance under this section in order to minimize confusion and complication for individuals, families, and health insurers. (Added 2013, No. 50, § E.307.1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; amended 2015, No. 23, § 54; 2017, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Feb. 20, 2018.)
33 V.S.A. § 1813
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1813. Reflective health benefit plans

§ 1813. Reflective health benefit plans|(a)(1) In the event that federal cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers are suspended or discontinued, registered carriers may offer to individuals and employees of small employers nonqualified reflective health benefit plans that do not include funding to offset the loss of the federal cost-sharing reduction payments. These plans shall be similar to, but contain at least one variation from, qualified health benefit plans offered through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange that include funding to offset the loss of the federal cost-sharing reduction payments.  (2) In its review and approval of premium rates pursuant to 8 V.S.A. § 4062, the Green Mountain Care Board shall ensure that:  (A) the rates for some or all qualified health benefit plans offered through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange include funding to offset the loss of the federal cost-sharing reduction payments; and (B) the rates for the reflective health benefit plans described in subdivision (1) of this subsection (a) do not include funding to offset the loss of the federal cost-sharing reduction payments.  (3) To the extent not expressly prohibited under federal law, the Green Mountain Care Board shall ensure that funding to offset the loss of the federal cost-sharing reduction payments is included exclusively in silver-level qualified health benefit plans offered through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange.   (b) A reflective health benefit plan shall comply with the requirements of section 1806 of this title except that the plan shall not be offered through the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. (Added 2017, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Feb. 20, 2018; amended 2019, No. 19, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.)
33 V.S.A. § 1814
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1814. Maximum out-of-pocket limit for prescription drugs in bronze plans

§ 1814. Maximum out-of-pocket limit for prescription drugs in bronze plans|(a)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of 8 V.S.A. § 4089i to the contrary, the Green Mountain Care Board may approve modifications to the out-of-pocket prescription drug limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i for one or more bronze-level plans, as long as the Board finds that the offering of such plans will not adversely impact the plan options available to consumers with high prescription drug needs who benefit from the out-of-pocket prescription drug limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i.  (2) The Department of Vermont Health Access shall certify at least two standard bronze-level plans that include the out-of-pocket prescription drug limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i, as long as the plans comply with federal requirements. Notwithstanding any provision of 8 V.S.A. § 4089i to the contrary, the Department may certify one or more bronze-level qualified health benefit plans with modifications to the out-of-pocket prescription drug limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i.   (b)(1) For each individual enrolled in a bronze-level qualified health benefit plan for the previous two plan years who had out-of-pocket prescription drug expenditures that met the out-of-pocket prescription drug limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i for the most recent plan year for which information is available, the health insurer shall, absent an alternative plan selection or plan cancellation by the individual, automatically reenroll the individual in a bronze-level qualified health plan for the forthcoming plan year with an out-of-pocket prescription drug limit at or below the limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i.  (2) Prior to reenrolling an individual in a plan pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the health insurer shall notify the individual of the insurer's intent to reenroll the individual automatically in a bronze-level qualified health plan for the forthcoming plan year with an out-of-pocket prescription drug limit at or below the limit established in 8 V.S.A. § 4089i unless the individual contacts the insurer to select a different plan and of the availability of bronze-level plans with higher out-of-pocket prescription drug limits. The health insurer shall collaborate with the Department of Vermont Health Access and the Office of the Health Care Advocate as to the notification's form and content. (Added 2017, No. 210 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. June 1, 2018.)
33 V.S.A. § 1821
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1821. Purpose

§ 1821. Purpose|The purpose of Green Mountain Care is to provide, as a public good, comprehensive, affordable, high-quality, publicly financed health care coverage for all Vermont residents in a seamless and equitable manner regardless of income, assets, health status, or availability of other health coverage. Green Mountain Care shall contain costs by:  (1) providing incentives to residents to avoid preventable health conditions, promote health, and avoid unnecessary emergency room visits; (2) establishing innovative payment mechanisms to health care professionals, such as global payments; (3) encouraging the management of health services through the Blueprint for Health; and (4) reducing unnecessary administrative expenditures. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)
33 V.S.A. § 1826
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 33 - Human Services|Chapter 18 - Public-Private Universal Health Care System|§ 1826. Blueprint for Health

§ 1826. Blueprint for Health|(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that within five years following the implementation of Green Mountain Care, each individual enrolled in Green Mountain Care will have a primary health care professional who is involved with the Blueprint for Health established in 18 V.S.A. chapter 13.(b) Consistent with the provisions of 18 V.S.A. chapter 13, if an individual enrolled in Green Mountain Care does not have a medical home through the Blueprint for Health, the individual may choose a primary health care professional who is not participating in the Blueprint to serve as the individual's primary care point of contact.(c) The Agency shall determine a method to approve a specialist as a patient's primary health care professional for the purposes of establishing a medical home or primary care point of contact for the patient. The Agency shall approve a specialist as a patient's medical home or primary care point of contact on a case-by-case basis and only for a patient who receives the majority of his or her health care from that specialist.(d) Green Mountain Care shall be integrated with the Blueprint for Health established in 18 V.S.A. chapter 13. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)