Law

Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) unveils his bipartisan legislation offering an incentive to Medicare beneficiaries for completing advance care directives which specify preferred medical treatment should they become unable to make their own decisions. Welch is joined by Cathy Frank, former chair of the Vermont Ethics Network, Dr. Bob Macauley, Director of Clinical Ethics at the University of Vermont’s College of Medicine, and Asaad Trina, a third year UVM medical student. The legislation has been endorsed by a broad coalition, including the American College of Physicians, the National Right to Life Committee, the American Nurses Association, and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care.

Read a one-page summary of the legislation here: http://1.usa.gov/1OdT2Qn

http://www.welch.house.gov

Judge Ben Joseph hosts a conversation with David C. Rettew, MD and Associate Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, on the issues surrounding the legalization of marijuana in the state of Vermont.

Attorney General Bill Sorrell and others welcome public thoughts and ideas at this forum. “Vermont leaders and legislators have taken many steps during the past two decades, both through policy and legislation, to ease prison overcrowding and minimize the need to send Vermont prisoners out of state,” said Sorrell. “In particular, I would like to hear whether Vermonters are ready to ask the Legislature to commit to a statewide policy regarding sentencing and release decisions that reduces reliance on incarceration or lengthy incarceration in response to criminal conduct.”

Representatives from law enforcement, corrections and human services officials, prisoner rights groups, victim advocates, and others join the Attorney General at this forum.

Vickie Rathgeb, Executive Director of the Chittenden Special Investigative Unit (CUSI), and Sergeant Mike Warren, Director of CUSI and others speak to the importance of this organization, with a presentation of a case review by team members.

The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI) is a multi-agency task force dedicated to providing criminal investigations in response to reports of sexual assaults and serious child abuse. The professionals within the unit are specially trained to deal with the unique and sensitive nature of sex crimes. Advocacy for the victim is paramount while we strive for successful prosecutions. CUSI will continue to foster cooperative efforts with the municipalities in which it serves while continuing to strengthen its role as a premier law enforcement entity. For More Info Visit: http://www.cusi-vermont.org/