An act relating to creating municipal and regional civilian oversight of law enforcement

This bill establishes municipal and regional civilian oversight boards to receive and investigate complaints against local law enforcement agencies and officers. These new boards would have the authority to hire staff, publish public reports on substantiated investigations, and make recommendations to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council regarding officer discipline and training. The legislation also mandates that law enforcement agencies report certain serious complaints to oversight boards within seven business days and prohibits the approval of chokehold training except for prevention-focused instruction. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program funded by a $500,000 appropriation to help municipalities implement these oversight boards.