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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont House Bill 819 transfers the Division of Substance Use Programs to the Department of Mental Health
Last action · January 29, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareSponsor: Daisy Berbeco
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What This Bill Would Do
Representative Daisy Berbeco introduced H.819 to transfer the Division of Substance Use Programs from the Department of Health to the Department of Mental Health, consolidating state substance use and mental health services under one agency effective July 1, 2027.
Consolidating these programs alters which state agency administers substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment funding, and shifts rulemaking authority for related alcohol and opioid programs starting July 1, 2027.
- The Department of Mental Health operates within the Vermont Agency of Human Services, overseeing state mental health and related services. context
- The Opioid Abatement Special Fund receives monies disbursed from national opioid settlements to be utilized for opioid prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Mental Health
The Department assumes administrative, financial, and rulemaking authority for the Division of Substance Use Programs and related special funds.
Department of Health
The Department transfers the Division of Substance Use Programs, associated funds, and rulemaking authority to the Department of Mental Health.
Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee
The Committee coordinates its advisory and spending recommendations through the Department of Mental Health as the lead state agency.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state agency will manage substance use programs under this bill?
What happens to existing rules established by the Division of Substance Use Programs?
When does this legislation take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Consolidation of Substance Use and Mental Health Services
The legislation structurally unites mental health services and substance use programs under a single department to streamline care and administrative oversight.
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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