VT H0373

Launches pilot projects to expand participatory decision-making in existing neighborhood planning assemblies and create new assemblies in additional towns, cities, villages, and at the regional level

Explores use of sortition (random selection of officials) and charrettes (subgroup deliberation processes) in public bodies and meetings to increase Town Meeting Day engagement

Requires paid time off to increase participation in elections

Provides grants to public schools to use assemblies for making decisions about school policies and practices

Establishes public education programs on advocacy and community organizing skills, and explores linking democratic engagement to social determinants of health through incentives