An act relating to recognition of military protection orders

This bill (H 547) requires Vermont courts to recognize military protective orders as valid evidence in cases involving stalking, sexual assault, or domestic abuse. It directly affects victims of abuse who have obtained military protective orders against military members (including Vermont National Guard members) by allowing those orders and related sworn statements to be used in court proceedings. The key mechanism amends court procedures to explicitly admit military orders and sworn statements (administered by authorized military officials) as evidence to establish patterns of abuse. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is currently before the Judiciary Committee.