With the enactment of HB 217, Vermont created a new payroll tax to fund its Child Assistance Program, which subsidizes child care costs for certain families.  

Vermont has enacted legislation (House Bill 363), which expressly prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of traits associated with race, including hair texture and hairstyles. House Bill 363 takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Vermont has enacted legislation (House Bill 729) that limits the time an employee may file a discrimination claim to six years. House Bill 729 is effective immediately.

Vermont has enacted legislation (House Bill 515) that prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers. House Bill 515 is effective immediately.

Vermont has enacted legislation (House Bill 477), which extends protections under its crime victim leave law. House Bill 477 is effective immediately.

The Vermont Department of Taxes has provided withholding tax guidance for relocated and remote workers.

Vermont has announced that the state minimum wage will increase to $12.55 per hour and the cash minimum wage rate for tipped workers will increase to $6.28 per hour on January 1, 2022.

On June 14, 2018, the Vermont Office of the Attorney General published the Guide to Vermont’s Laws on Marijuana in the Workplace. The Guide provides employers with an overview of the changes to Vermont’s marijuana laws, and summarizes existing employment laws relating to drug testing in the workplace.