Vermont H 714: An act relating to automated employment decision making and State employees

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.714
2026 Page 1 of 8

VT LEG #386334 v.1
H.714 1
Introduced by Representatives Casey of Montpelier and Priestley of Bradford 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Executive; State employees; automated employment decision making 5
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 6
State to disclose the use of automated employment decision-making tools to its 7
employees and to provide that the use of automated employment decision 8
making shall not affect the rights of State employees covered by existing 9
collective bargaining agreements. This bill also proposes to create a study 10
committee on the impact of the disclosure of automated employment decision-11
making tools on State employees and the feasibility of extending the disclosure 12
requirement and protections for unionized employees to municipal employees, 13
teachers and employees of public schools, and employees of public institutions 14
of higher education. 15
An act relating to automated employment decision making and State 16
employees 17
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 18
Sec. 1. 3 V.S.A. § 269 is added to read: 19
§ 269. AUTOMATED EMPLOYMENT DECISION-MAKING TOOL 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.714
2026 Page 2 of 8

VT LEG #386334 v.1
(a) Definitions. As used in this section: 1
(1) “Automated employment decision-making tool” means any software 2
that uses algorithms, computational models, or artificial intelligence 3
techniques, or a combination thereof, to materially automate or replace human 4
decision making regarding employment, including wages and other 5
compensation, hiring, recruitment, discipline, and promotion. “Automated 6
employment decision-making tool” does not include any software used 7
primarily for basic computerized processes, such as calculators, spell-check 8
tools, autocorrect functions, spreadsheets, electronic communications, or any 9
tool that relates only to internal office management, such as ordering office 10
supplies or processing payments, and that does not materially affect the rights, 11
liberties, benefits, safety, or welfare of any individual State employee. 12
(2) “State agency” means any agency, department, or division of the 13
State. 14
(b) Disclosure of automated employment decision-making tools. Any State 15
agency that utilizes automated employment decision-making tools shall 16
publish and maintain a list of the tools on the State agency’s website. The 17
disclosure shall include: 18
(1) a description of each automated employment decision-making tool 19
utilized by the State agency; 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.714
2026 Page 3 of 8

VT LEG #386334 v.1
(2) the date the State agency began using each automated employment 1
decision-making tool; 2
(3) a summary of the purpose and use of each automated employment 3
decision-making tool; and 4
(4) any other information about the tools deemed relevant by the State 5
agency. 6
(c) Bargaining rights. 7
(1) The use of an automated employment decision-making tool by a 8
State agency shall not affect the rights of State employees pursuant to an 9
existing collective bargaining agreement or affect the existing bargaining 10
relationship between the State and employees covered by a collective 11
bargaining agreement. 12
(2) The use of an automated employment decision-making tool shall not 13
result in: 14
(A) the discharge, displacement, or loss of position, including partial 15
displacement such as a reduction in the hours of nonovertime work, wages, or 16
employment benefits, of State employees; 17
(B) the impairment of existing collective bargaining agreements; or 18
(C) the transfer of existing duties and functions currently performed 19
by employees of a State agency to an automated employment decision-making 20
tool. 21

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.714
2026 Page 4 of 8

VT LEG #386334 v.1
(3) The use of an automated employment decision-making tool shall not 1
alter the rights, benefits, or privileges, including terms and conditions of 2
employment, classified service status, and collective bargaining unit 3
membership status, of all existing employees of a State agency, and the 4
collective bargaining unit membership status of all existing employees of a 5
State agency shall be preserved and protected. 6
Sec. 2. STUDY COMMITTEE ON AUTOMATED EMPLOYMENT 7
DECISION-MAKING TOOLS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; 8
REPORT 9
(a) Creation. There is created the Study Committee on Automated 10
Employment Decision-Making Tools and Public Employees to examine the 11
impact of the disclosure of automated employment decision-making tools on 12
State employees and the feasibility of extending the disclosure requirement and 13
protections for unionized employees to municipal employees, teachers and 14
other public school employees, and employees of public institutions of higher 15
education. 16
(b) Membership. The Study Committee shall be composed of nine 17
members as follows: 18
(1) one current member of t