An act relating to criminal sentencing and decarceration

This bill aims to reduce Vermont's incarcerated population by repealing the state's habitual offender statute, which currently allows for life sentences after multiple felony convictions. It establishes a 20-year maximum sentence cap for most crimes while maintaining life sentences for murder, and prevents community supervision from being revoked for technical violations. Additionally, the legislation requires the State Auditor to prepare minority impact statements that analyze how new criminal laws would affect different demographic groups before they are passed. These provisions collectively seek to create more predictable sentencing limits and ensure that new laws are evaluated for their potential impact on minority communities.