H 351 Vermont House · 2023-2024 Regular Session

An act relating to permitting an action for defamation of a deceased person

This bill would allow executors or administrators of a deceased person's estate to file a lawsuit for defamation on behalf of the deceased. The key provision adds defamation actions to the list of legal claims that can survive a person's death and be pursued by their estate representatives. It permits these lawsuits to be based on defamatory statements made either before or after the person died, regardless of when the law takes effect. The change directly affects estate managers and attorneys representing deceased individuals' estates in Vermont.
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 23, 2023 Last action Feb 23, 2023