Vermont Lobby Day and Legislative Breakfast 2025: Advocates emphasizing life-saving legislation with a youth who was just saved!
The American Heart Association held its Lobby Day and Legislative Breakfast at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier, VT on February 7th – Wear Red Day. The event brought together nearly fifty passionate advocates, legislators, and key partners, including the Vermont Association of Athletic Trainers, SHAPE-VT, the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization, the Vermont State School Nurses Association, the VT Coyotes semi-pro basketball team, and the University of Vermont Medical Center. The focus of the day was securing: 1) sponsors for legislation requiring Vermont schools and athletic events to have cardiac emergency response plans and 2) targeted appropriations to improve emergency preparedness.
Advocates spent the day meeting with more than twenty legislators and staff, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger cardiac emergency preparedness in schools. One of the most impactful moments came when the Chair of the House Education Committee joined the event, expressing his support after reading about the initiative in his hometown paper. He acknowledged the growing concern over cardiac arrests among teachers in his district, reinforcing the importance of proactive legislation. Meanwhile, cardiologist and American Heart Association volunteer Tracy Hagerty had a valuable discussion with Representative Lynn Dickinson, a key member of the House Appropriations Committee overseeing the Department of Health’s budget. Their conversation underscored the critical need for funding to ensure schools are equipped with lifesaving resources.
Senator Chris Mattos helped arrange for fellow Milton lawmaker Michael Morgan to recognize 16-year-old cardiac arrest survivor Dominic Barcomb on the House floor. Just a month earlier, on January 3, Dominic had suffered a cardiac arrest only minutes into a basketball game at Spaulding High School. Two Spaulding coaches immediately performed CPR while the school’s athletic trainer retrieved an AED, which was used to shock Dominic back to life. Spaulding had a well-prepared Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP), which played a critical role in saving him. As Dominic’s story was shared, every member of the House stood in applause, recognizing both his resilience and the importance of expanding emergency preparedness in schools. Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chair Ginny Lyons, a longtime AHA ally, invited Dominic to speak before her committee, further amplifying the urgency of this lifesaving initiative.
The presence of Miss Vermont titleholders created a striking visual impact, forming a noticeable “sea of red” at the Statehouse on Wear Red Day. Their involvement was even mentioned in VTDigger’s lead story that evening, earning them recognition as “Vermont’s royalty.”
The event yielded immediate results, with several legislators signing on as cosponsors for House Bill H.247, which was introduced shortly afterward by lead sponsor Representative Anthony Micklus, inspired by Dominic’s experience. The event also generated significant media coverage, including two major stories—one of which was VTDigger’s lead feature – Teen cardiac survivor pushes for stronger heart safety laws in schools.
Vermont Legislative Breakfast and Lobby Day 2025 was a resounding success, showcasing the impact of advocacy in driving meaningful policy change. By sharing their stories and urging lawmakers to take action, advocates played a vital role in shaping a healthier, safer future for Vermont’s schools and communities.