S 278 Vermont Senate · 2023-2024 Regular Session

An act relating to prohibiting a comparative negligence defense in an action for a negligence claim relating to a sexual act or sexual conduct

This bill prohibits defendants from using a plaintiff's own negligence as a legal defense in personal injury lawsuits involving sexual acts or conduct. It amends Vermont's negligence laws to prevent courts from reducing damages based on how much fault the plaintiff had in the sexual situation. The change applies to any negligence claim where the incident involves sexual acts or conduct as defined in state law. This means plaintiffs seeking compensation for injuries from such incidents cannot have their claims reduced because they were partially at fault. The law takes effect immediately upon signing.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2024
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
House Passage
Apr 2024
Signed into Law
Apr 2024
Introduced Jan 17, 2024 Signed Apr 24, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
38
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
12
Apr 24, 2024
Signed into law
Senate Message: Signed by Governor 4/22/2024
executive
Apr 23, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by Governor on April 22, 2024
executive
Apr 10, 2024
Introduced
Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in
lower
Apr 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
As passed by Senate and House
upper
Apr 9, 2024
Introduced
House proposal of amendment concurred in
upper
Apr 9, 2024
Introduced
House proposal of amendment; text
upper
Apr 9, 2024
Introduced
House proposal of amendment
upper
Apr 5, 2024
Introduced
House proposal of amendment
upper
Apr 4, 2024
Upper · Passed
House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
upper
Apr 3, 2024
Introduced
Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
lower
Apr 2, 2024
Lower · Passed
Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to
lower
Apr 2, 2024
Lower · Passed
Rep. Burditt of West Rutland reported for the Committee on Judiciary
lower
Apr 2, 2024
Introduced
Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Mar 29, 2024
Introduced
Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Mar 28, 2024
Introduced
Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Mar 27, 2024
Introduced
Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Mar 26, 2024
Introduced
Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
lower
Feb 29, 2024
Introduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
lower
Feb 28, 2024
Introduced
Title amended
upper
Feb 27, 2024
Upper · Passed
Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to
upper
Feb 27, 2024
Upper · Passed
Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Judiciary
upper
Feb 27, 2024
Upper · Passed
Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary
upper
Feb 23, 2024
Upper · Passed
Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary
upper
Jan 17, 2024
Introduced
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
upper
2 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors