SmartTranscript of House General - 2025-01-22-2:20 PM

[Speaker 0 ]: Just that sort of right around. But he [Speaker 1 ]: doesn't know if we're members of our committee. [Kevin Coach Christie ]: He's yes. Mhmm. Of course. [Speaker 0 ]: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. This is the house general and housing committee. And we are now. It's still the twenty second of January and we are now going to hear H38. Coach, would you like to introduce yourself for the record? [Kevin Coach Christie ]: I'm Kevin Coach Christie, a representative from Hartford, and I also chair the Vermont Human Rights Commission. And, h thirty eight, is a bill, asking for, additional support, you know, to the commission for the work that we do for the state of Vermont. When you think of all of the members of our community that are protected, you know, by our laws, which we all are, And it can be something, you know, as simple, you know, as think of that time when you went to park and you had your family member who might have been disabled and needing to get to an appointment at a particular time. And that family member who had a placard and you're driving them and you go to park and there's no parking spaces. Now you say to yourself, well, maybe, you you know, your mind starts to run and you say, well, you you know, maybe they didn't weren't aware that there were only three per hundred or there was some weird criteria that a particular town might have come up with. But at the end of the day, when it comes to that particular, let's say, grievance, there should be a space when it's available, and it shouldn't be occupied by someone who isn't. So if you see somebody continually using that space, you know, and it's being allowed, let's say, by a landlord or being allowed by, you know, an association, a tenants association or whatever it might be, that would constitute a grievance or a violation, you know, of that accommodation. Those I know it it until you have to use it, you don't realize how important it is. You know what I mean? You you know, you go to Walgreens or whatever it is, you know, and you see somebody just pull up and park, You know? And I'm just running in. But I got there, and it takes me ten minutes to get out of the freaking car. Excuse me. You know? And then, you know, it takes an additional amount of time to get into the building. Now, you know, back in the day, I would I might have been the jerky person that might have did it. But after you've had the with it, it becomes very apparent how important that he is. And so if we think about that with every incident, you know, of accommodation I was talking to our committee assistant, you know, and he asked, you know, so how do you guys come up with your cases? And I said, well, there was a time when CVOEO did tests for us. And the test were pull an ad from the newspaper, call the landlord. This is mister so and so, and I'd like to inquire about the room. [Speaker 0 ]: Oh, come on over. [Kevin Coach Christie ]: Hey, blood. I'm looking for an apartment. We don't have any. That happens, and it still happens. Okay? Then now now that might seem, you know, like, what just happened here? That's what happens. Okay. Some of the you know, and I think when you hear the statistical data and and from the commission itself around the types and numbers of cases, you'll get that statistical data. I'm just trying to frame a picture of things that they could all kind of relate to that aren't right, you know, just aren't right regardless of stripes or, you know, where you stand, there's some things aren't right. And and that's the role, you know, the commission, you know, our right now, obviously, our housing cases are some of the most, you know, of the cases, you know, especially with different family, you know, constructs and people saying, well, we only have, you know, room for three kids and you have four kids. Well, you know, instead of bunk beds in that other room, you know, Okay. I mean, that's how most of us grew up, you know, with bigger families, you know. So when people find ways to exclude, you know, they they need to think it through, you know, and it needs to be really, you know, relative and then important. But those are the kinds of things and that gets us to the point where, you know, we are getting inundated with, you know, cases, you know, of all kinds. And it's not to say that we're able to even take them all even if we had, you know, the massive numbers, but, you know, of support. But we do need to expand the support in order to just help Vermonters feel like they're being, you know, heard and supported, you know, in this work. So that's the overflow if that helps. [Speaker 0 ]: Yes. Sophie, did you wanna take a share of the bill? [Sophie Sedatny ]: It's a pretty short bill. Essentially, Visa Wait. [Speaker 0 ]: Excuse me. Wait just [Amanda Garces ]: a minute. Do you want me to move down here? [Speaker 0 ]: Well, come sit here next to coach, but I think the question is before you start, coach Before you start people wanna ask questions of coach. [Speaker 1 ]: Well, also, we have Amanda Garces here who is works for does everything that department doesn't do. But [Speaker 5 ]: do you know [Speaker 1 ]: either either of you what uptick in in cases do you have any data on the uptick in cases? [Speaker 0 ]: I think you're gonna speak. Let's see if we can get you up there. Okay. Why don't we just Okay. Put your chair up chair. Chair. [Amanda Garces ]: Can I put this in each Sure? Thank you. [Speaker 0 ]: And could you just state your name for the record? [Amanda Garces ]: Sure. And I I I think my executive director was hoping that they will come and do a presentation for you all next week if possible. For the record, my name is Amanda Hazes. I am the director of policy, education, and outreach for the Vermont Human Rights Commission. And thank you, coach. Yeah. So I can give a little brief overview of who we are. We are the agency in charge of discrimination. In in our state, we have three buckets. One is we investigate complaints in discrimination in housing, places of public accommodation, which includes everything from schools, police, roads, and, estate employment. So we are only in charge of all the Vermont estate employees, and the attorney general's office is in charge of the private employers. And for the past five for the past year, our investigations have increased and skyrocketed. We have currently backlogged cases. We have seven staff members, that are not able to meet the current demand. Like, the numbers that this is why we're requesting these positions. And we wanna make sure that all Vermonters have access to justice in our Vermont anti discrimination laws. So why this matters, and and I I can send you this pamphlet at the end. We our investigations often involve really alternate issues. People that come here are not looking to get money or become rich to use our system. They really are it's really heartbreaking. Actually, a lot of the cases we have. Discrimination in Fair Housing that is everything from evictions to refusal of housing, voucher denials, refusal to allied assistance, animals, and harassment. In our public accommodations, we are, our cases include schools. We have seen a skyrocket of schools right now on harassment, people with service dogs being denied access, individuals being discriminated against by businesses or public agencies. And then work workplace discrimination, we see a state employee who are subject to discrimination or harassment. So we cannot really meet the demands right now. So in the past in this fiscal year, we have, as of December, have already turned away around fifty folks. So it makes my job really hard to be in a community. Be like, sorry. You know? Our executive director, for example, right now has ten cases sitting there unable to be assigned to investigators because there was a backlog. One of one of our investigators left, just a couple of weeks ago. We were in the process of hiring the replacement. But because it is a burnout job, right, like, just a lot of cases. And they're hard. They're really, really hard. So we are I just give you a really, as of December, we have about sixty eight number of active investigations and cancellations, about fifteen cases and inform enforcement in litigation. Fifteen in litigation. Last year, we have, for the first time, an in in house litigator, which is a game change changer, really. What the litigation does is really push for our laws, our civil rights laws to be expanded, and and we're able to do the work more. We still have other law office that we still contract with. We have accepted, as of December, forty two new complaints, about thirty one that are have been closed and settled. So this is a great thing about our office is that we're able to settle cases, which also have implications for for all the public. So many all of our cases really have a public component where whether it's people will do trainings, we will train everybody. So in some of the cases, we are training educators to ensure that things don't happen again. For a building who had a discrimination case, we we can train the managers. So if you have owners that have multiple buildings, then we can we can support that. Okay. We so like I said before, we we've turned away as of December, so these numbers have increased about fifty folks that we just can't take right now. Right? So we would love to take a lot. And, also, what we're asking for is three step turning positions so that we can give all these cases and start investigations. We're hoping for an outreach person that will work with me. I currently do this job as well as I do all the outreach trainings and everything that has to do with working with the community. It will be great to have a dedicated person to help with the outreach. We would like to have a case an intake person. Right now, it's just like, our cases take a while. So we get a phone call, then we have to do the intake, and sometimes that processing takes it online. We're all faculty prefer time social worker. Our cases are very high and strong. So it's really we we we better train them trauma informed. That's not a no. You know? Like, people really need a lot of support that sometimes we can adhere to them. And we would like to be able to support vermonters too better experiencing high level trauma to really support them in case management and see what other resources we can get them while we're kids. Our cases are not solved like this, so we we can't do fix things right away. Our cases take one, two, three years. Depends on the investigation. So we are now the agency to to kind of deal with problems, right away. We are asking for paralegal to support our litigator in all the cases that we have. We will see forthcoming more cases that will be litigated, depart the mediator so that our cases can resolve quicker, and the intake specialist I mentioned before. [Speaker 6 ]: Can I just Yes? Quickly. Since we haven't had the unless others well, some folks have copies of the bill. But I just and correct me if I'm wrong. I wanna be clear to folks as you're talking or thinking about this that this is actually for next year. Correct? [Speaker 0 ]: Yeah. I mean, this is Fiscal year. [Speaker 6 ]: Fiscal year twenty. I just wanted to put that will. [Kevin Coach Christie ]: It's it's not part of the, let's say, the BAA [Speaker 0 ]: Right. Part of the BAA. [Speaker 6 ]: But I didn't want people to be confused because we are gonna be doing that in the BAA as well, but this bill is for the next fiscal year. [Speaker 1 ]: That was one of the questions that I had was, whether, you know, whether we need to be considerate in the in the budget adjustment act of Yeah. [Amanda Garces ]: Let's We did include two positions for the VA. [Speaker 6 ]: I just don't want people to be confused that this was [Speaker 0 ]: Let's try to sort this up. Yes. He's this apart for just a minute. Number one, as to the Human Rights Commission, its function, what it does, etcetera, you will be appearing before us. And I think we should let remember that and that that's a time to talk more about what you do. I think today and h thirty eight, I think the bill I think the bill should just be laid out. What are you asking for, etcetera? I think as to the budget for the twenty six budget, that will be a situation where this committee needs to recommend what we're you know, recommend to the, Appropriations Committee. What are we gonna do? You know, what do we support? And we need to prioritize. So that's something where we have time. I do think it's good to go through the bill. But finally, as to the BAA, let me be very specific. Today and tomorrow, I am drafting a draft of this committee's recommendation to the Appropriations Committee. We owe them on Thursday. Tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. We owe them a letter that says where we stand. We are hearing that issue tomorrow at eleven. And by then, I have to have a draft of what it is that we put in it. I have emailed big Herman? [Amanda Garces ]: Correct. [Speaker 0 ]: Asking for language. Exactly what do you want, how much, and for what. I have not received anything. [Amanda Garces ]: Oh, I I thought they they [Speaker 0 ]: I think it would be great if you tell us today and also send me some language, as to what you would like in the BAA. The BA the advantage of the BAA is if something isn't a BAA, it gets you the money three or four months ahead of time. It's what what would be in the budget. Sorry for the interruption. [Speaker 6 ]: Sorry. Take it away. [Amanda Garces ]: No. We'll we'll we'll [Speaker 6 ]: we'll we'll we'll using for it maybe. [Speaker 0 ]: Yeah. Oh, okay. Alright. Yeah. Yes. I'm a I'm a [Speaker 5 ]: But so just to clarify that that was a whole lot of conversation. And there so and just to be clear, there is a list of things in the bill that she just listed. The positions are listed in the bill. So to clarify, these positions in this bill are separate from what you would be requesting or they're partially inclusive? [Amanda Garces ]: They're partially inclusive. So I if I understand in that, and I will confer with our executive director that for the eBay e Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we we always work within a thirty five thousand shortfall, like vacancy savings for this fiscal year, which is part of that. We did request, two positions, with our the intake person and the staff attorneys additional, and we are not sure, yeah, if it's included because that was the for the, governors. Okay. So I will make sure that they will send you all [Speaker 0 ]: the other What are the positions? How much? You know, what's the amount? And I do think it might be worthwhile if, Sophie, you just walked us quickly through the bill so that and then you can continue. Yep. [Sophie Sedatny ]: Alright. Yes. Again, Sophie Sedatny for the office of legislative council. So this bill, proposes authorizing providing funding for six additional full time positions and two additional part time positions within the Human Rights Commission. As noted, this would be for fiscal year twenty twenty six. The positions of those, that were listed, one, full time permanent classified communications and outreach coordinator, one, full time permanent classified intake specialist, three full time permanent exempt staff attorney investigators, one full time permanent exempt paralegal, one part time permanent classified mediator, and one part time permanent classified social worker slash case manager. The amount of funds being requested is twenty five thousand for education and outreach activities. And then for those positions, seven thousand nine hundred sorry. Seven thousand ninety four thousand six hundred and sixteen dollars for salary and benefits, eighteen thousand for related operating expenses and equipment, and fifty thousand for additional office space. Thank you. [Speaker 0 ]: One thing that would help us, is help people, and I don't need it now. But, you know, at some point, it would be good. And perhaps when you testify before us about the HRC, it would be good to put this to help us put this request in the full request that's in the bill in the context of how many positions do you have now that are I mean, you've made the case that that's inadequate, but tell us how many permanent full time permanent communications and outreach do you have at coordinator? In other words, we need to know this is sort of adding to what and what's the size of your total budget. [Amanda Garces ]: I I can send you that. I can tell you right now how many positions we have. [Speaker 0 ]: You can do that. I think the time to do that is when you appear before us Right. Next week. [Amanda Garces ]: We have a [Speaker 0 ]: Also, I have heard, but I can't remember, so I could be completely wrong. I've heard that there's is it legal aid or somebody else in the state does similar work, and they can't do as much because they've lost. They're going to lose federal funding. Oh, that [Speaker 1 ]: is part [Speaker 0 ]: of the additional strain [Kevin Coach Christie ]: on you. Is that right? It's part of the attorney general's office. Okay. The other the other two and it's only two people. [Speaker 6 ]: Yeah. What's his name? Now I can't remember it. [Amanda Garces ]: So local. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. So one formal legal aid refers cases to us. We are the the agents. So we do have HUD money that comes in for our fair housing cases, and, you know [Speaker 0 ]: But what Is there as far as I'm just wondering, is there other external factors that are contributing to your overload that have to do with the disappearance of other funding sources? [Amanda Garces ]: Not to my understanding. Right? [Speaker 1 ]: Good. For [Kevin Coach Christie ]: It's just the overwhelming nature of the work and the fact that the AG's office, the attorney general's office only has those two people doing the work that they're responsible for on their side. And we could do all the other pieces, you know, for the state, you know, on on this side. And and just, you know, so you know, it it for for those folks that are looking at the the comment that Amanda made about, people aren't all, you know, looking for some substantial, you know, like, windfall or anything else. I'll give you a very quick specific example. It was a a support animal. [Amanda Garces ]: I'm so sorry. My my child got suspended from the after school program, and they are ready for me, so I am so sorry [Speaker 5 ]: for that. [Amanda Garces ]: Thank you. This [Kevin Coach Christie ]: is going from life. Life happened. And and so so what this situation was, one of our fellow promoters went to a concert. It was on her birthday, and she had her support animal. And the people at the venue said, no. You can't let that dog in here. Just just like that. No. No. No exploit you know, I don't care if it's support dog. You You can't let that dog in this room. Needless to say, that went over, like, something tripped, so to speak. But, anyways, that that being said, she filed a complaint, and all she wanted back from them at the end of the day was an apology and a ticket to the next concert. That that's what she wanted back and have them trained in how to respond to support animals. That's the that's what she came. That was her mission. And we were able to accomplish that for her. You know, it all happened. But imagine, you know, I mean, if if if you're in a space where you needed that level of support, you know, your support animal's accepted everywhere else and people understand and you go to this thing on your birthday and you bring four friends and you get kicked out. So that that, you know, that's not cool. But but anyways, it's those types of things that really happen, you know, and those are some of the real outcomes, you know, too. And that's what if you look at each when you get to that point and they comes in and explains, you know, our structure and how it works, it it'll make sense. You know, this whole so hopefully, this helps from a context perspective. [Speaker 0 ]: Thank you. At this point, are there any questions about this bill? I think, we will have testimony next week from the Human Rights Commission. I will get language, I'm sure, for the BAA, which I will put into a document, which I will send all of you. It's going to be a simple letter to the Appropriations Committee saying here's what our priorities are for the BAA. So much to VACB, so much, so much and some language added here. And we have to rank them and we can do that. And I'll send it to you all. And then tomorrow at eleven, that that'll be a public document tomorrow at eleven. We'll decide, do we agree you know, everybody can agree or not. Hopefully, we're not going to send a letter to them. Propriation saying, here's what we really think you should do by a vote of six to five, but. So, we'll work it out. And we will have language in there from, HRC as well. For those of you who are new to the legislature, the BAA, generally, the the adjustment gets out of here out of out of here very quickly. It'll get onto the floor very quickly. We'll vote it out, but then it has to go to the senate. By the time it goes to the governor and is signed, it's at least March end of March. Can be later. And is that then the money's available. So the money can be available in April or May. With the budget, if something so if something is in the budget in BAA, they get the money before the end of the fiscal year. Not a lot before the end of the fiscal year, but before the end. If we put something in the budget, the budget is signed by the governor and assuming there isn't a veto and a veto override or whatever, a a whole further discussion, but it's a normal course of things. The budget becomes effective on July one, And then the money becomes available to it becomes available to agencies almost right away, but sometimes it takes there's a whole process to get the money to the agencies. And so the HRC, for example, might get the money in late July or August. They know they can start advertising because they have, you know, they know that the money is there. But as a practical matter, then they have to advertise and then they have to select, etcetera. So we're talking about later. So there is a difference of maybe, I guess what I'm saying is it's advantageous to be in the BAA, but it isn't like it's a whole different world. It's a matter of four months or something like that. And so often when I was on appropriations, I was telling the people I was assigned to work with, you really wanna make the case that you are going to have an advantage. You know, those four months, three, four months are gonna really make a difference to you. I think my own view, which is why I will put something in the draft letter for you all, is that the HRC is in a bit of a crisis mode because they're actually turning away applicants, which they are required under state law to to take. And so arguably, they could use the extra three or four months for some people. Whether the appropriations whether we or the Appropriations Committee will go along with the full suite of what they are asking for is a issue for another day. I mean, it's part of this bill. We will have to decide what we think, but we don't have to decide it tomorrow. Is that you does everybody understand? Good. [Amanda Garces ]: Thank you. [Speaker 0 ]: I think we are at an end. Thank you so much, coach. Thank you, Sophie. Thank you all. For your time. We

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SmartTranscript of House General - 2025-01-22-2:20 PM

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