Senate committee advances bill to broaden vocational‑rehabilitation access, creates working group
February 27, 2026 | Appropriations, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to report S.173 favorably to the full Senate after a discussion about vocational rehabilitation access for workers' compensation claimants.
Senator Paige Robbinsdale, introducing the measure, said the bill removes an initial screening that can delay or block claimants from vocational rehabilitation and creates a legislative working group so “people know of their rights to access vocational rehabilitation” more proactively. The sponsor and other members described the change as intended to help injured workers return to work more quickly or retrain for comparable employment.
Dirk Anderson, director of workers' compensation for the Vermont Department of Labor, testified that the agency supports the working group and can cover the modest administrative costs from its existing budget. “Those are relatively minor costs that I can absorb into my budget, you know, a few thousand dollars at the most, maybe less than $1,000,” Anderson said.
Committee discussion focused on membership and compensation. Legislators proposed a small working group with two legislative appointees and representatives from employers, carriers, claimants and vocational‑rehabilitation professionals. The committee clarified that reimbursement and per‑diem rules would follow 32 10 10 for appointed boards.
With no unresolved procedural objections, the committee clerk called the roll and a majority voted to advance S.173 out of the committee for floor consideration. The committee record shows the bill was reported favorably; the full Senate will consider the measure and any floor amendments.
The bill does not, as reported out, include a standalone appropriation beyond modest per‑diem or expense reimbursements; the Department of Labor said it can accommodate the anticipated costs within its existing budget.
Next steps: S.173 has been reported favorably out of Appropriations and will be placed on the Senate calendar for a floor vote.
Senator Paige Robbinsdale, introducing the measure, said the bill removes an initial screening that can delay or block claimants from vocational rehabilitation and creates a legislative working group so “people know of their rights to access vocational rehabilitation” more proactively. The sponsor and other members described the change as intended to help injured workers return to work more quickly or retrain for comparable employment.
Dirk Anderson, director of workers' compensation for the Vermont Department of Labor, testified that the agency supports the working group and can cover the modest administrative costs from its existing budget. “Those are relatively minor costs that I can absorb into my budget, you know, a few thousand dollars at the most, maybe less than $1,000,” Anderson said.
Committee discussion focused on membership and compensation. Legislators proposed a small working group with two legislative appointees and representatives from employers, carriers, claimants and vocational‑rehabilitation professionals. The committee clarified that reimbursement and per‑diem rules would follow 32 10 10 for appointed boards.
With no unresolved procedural objections, the committee clerk called the roll and a majority voted to advance S.173 out of the committee for floor consideration. The committee record shows the bill was reported favorably; the full Senate will consider the measure and any floor amendments.
The bill does not, as reported out, include a standalone appropriation beyond modest per‑diem or expense reimbursements; the Department of Labor said it can accommodate the anticipated costs within its existing budget.
Next steps: S.173 has been reported favorably out of Appropriations and will be placed on the Senate calendar for a floor vote.
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