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.
This bill authorizes funding for a new full-time litigator position within Vermont's Human Rights Commission. It allocates $120,000 from the state's General Fund in fiscal year 2024 to cover the salary and benefits for this role. The legislation aims to strengthen the commission's capacity to handle legal cases related to human rights violations. The funding takes effect on July 1, 2023, and directly impacts the commission's operational resources and staffing levels.
This bill, known as the Adult Guardianship Equity Act, moves guardianship cases for adults with developmental disabilities from the Family Division to the Probate Division of Vermont's Superior Court. It establishes new rules requiring that guardianship be used only when necessary to protect an individual's rights, prioritizing voluntary guardianship options and ensuring the least restrictive approach is taken. The law also repeals the previous chapter governing guardianship services for people with developmental disabilities and creates specific procedures for when the Office of Public Guardian must be appointed if no private guardian is available. Additionally, it clarifies that individuals receiving guardianship services can appeal decisions or petition to modify or terminate their guardianship through the court system.
This bill increases the amount of land value that homeowners can exclude from their property tax credit calculation in Vermont. It directly affects homeowners who file for the homestead property tax credit by raising the threshold for housesite value from $225,000 to $350,000 for higher-income households and from $400,000 to $550,000 for lower-income households. The key provision adjusts the formula used to determine the tax credit, allowing more of the land value to be ignored when calculating the credit amount. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to tax credit claims filed on or after January 1, 2024.
This bill allows individuals who are required by law to report child abuse or neglect to make their initial report orally instead of in writing. Mandated reporters such as teachers, healthcare workers, and social service staff would be able to speak directly to the Commissioner for Children and Families or their designee to report suspected abuse. The Commissioner can still ask for a written follow-up report if needed, except when the reporter chooses to remain anonymous. The law also specifies what information must be included in any report and clarifies how reports involving state employees should be handled.
This bill proposes changes to Vermont's laws on criminal violence, bail procedures, and mental health evaluations for defendants. It increases penalties for carrying weapons while committing felonies and using firearms during drug sales, while also designating these actions as violent acts for bail decisions. The legislation also updates rules for determining a defendant's mental competency to stand trial and sanity at the time of an offense, including requirements for psychiatric examinations and who bears the cost of evaluations. Additionally, it clarifies procedures for ordering mental health screenings and ensures that relevant records are released to examiners when assessing competency or sanity.
This bill allows probation and parole officers in Vermont to carry firearms while on duty, provided they complete a specialized training course. The training, developed by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, covers firearm use, force application, reporting, and liability. Officers must request authorization from the Commissioner and successfully finish the curriculum before they can legally carry a weapon during their duties. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies only to correctional officers assigned to the Field Supervision Unit.
This bill allocates $5 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative in fiscal year 2024. The funding will support grants for outdoor athletic events like marathons and bike races that attract competitors from outside Vermont. The program aims to boost local economic activity by funding events that draw visitors from other states. The appropriation takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill would require individuals in Vermont to obtain a license from the Department of Public Safety before purchasing a semiautomatic firearm. To get a license, applicants must submit fingerprints, provide criminal and mental health history information, complete an approved firearms safety training course, and pay a $35 fee, with the Department reviewing applications within 90 days. The license is valid for two years and must be renewed, and sellers are prohibited from selling semiautomatic firearms to unlicensed individuals. The law defines semiautomatic firearms as weapons that use cartridge energy to eject spent casings and require a separate trigger pull for each shot, and it takes effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill proposes to make Vermont observe U.S. Eastern Daylight Saving Time year-round instead of switching between standard time and daylight saving time twice annually. The legislation would amend state law to permanently set the clock one hour ahead of standard time, though it requires U.S. Congress approval to eliminate standard time across all six New England states. The bill includes provisions for the Governor to adjust the time if neighboring states make changes, with a required 10-day notice period before any adjustments take effect. It also specifies that the transition would begin on July 1, 2023, or when federal authorization is granted, whichever comes first.
This bill proposes renaming the Natural Resources Board to the Environmental Review Board and expanding its role to include hearing appeals from District Commissions and district coordinators under Vermont's Act 250 program. The bill creates a five-member board with one full-time chair and four part-time members, all appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, while establishing a new Nominating Committee to review candidates based on expertise in environmental science, land use planning, and related fields. The Environmental Division of the Superior Court would continue handling other environmental permit and zoning appeals, while the renamed board would retain its existing duties and gain additional authority to oversee Act 250 program staff and develop program policy.
This bill would allow unionized state employees in Vermont's Executive Branch and Judiciary to go on strike, changing current rules that prohibit such actions. The legislation removes existing prohibitions on striking and picketing found in state statutes, permitting these employees to exercise their right to strike during labor disputes. The changes would apply to those covered by collective bargaining agreements and would take effect on July 1, 2023.
