This bill clarifies the legal authority for law enforcement officers to obtain blood samples from drivers suspected of driving under the influence. It specifically updates Vermont law to state that consent for a blood test is implied when an officer has reasonable grounds to believe a driver is under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, or when breath testing equipment is unavailable or ineffective. The provision also maintains that consent is deemed given if the driver is unconscious, incapable of decision, or deceased. Effective July 1, 2023, these changes provide clearer guidelines for officers conducting DUI investigations involving potential drug impairment.
This bill expands the definition of law enforcement misconduct in Vermont to include the issuance of Brady or Giglio letters, which are documents prosecutors provide to defense attorneys about evidence that could exonerate a defendant or impeach a witness. The change places these letters under the jurisdiction of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, which oversees law enforcement discipline. The Council would have the authority to rescind a Brady or Giglio letter if an officer is later exonerated after an evidentiary hearing. Additionally, the bill classifies the issuance of such letters as Category B conduct, which generally does not require Council action for a first offense unless it involves specific serious violations like excessive force or failure to intervene. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill defines which law enforcement personnel are covered under new liability rules when handling riot situations and establishes accountability standards for their actions. It clarifies that officers and those assisting them are protected from civil or criminal liability if a rioter is injured or killed while resisting lawful dispersal efforts, but only if they follow established use-of-force guidelines. The law removes immunity for any officer who fails to adhere to these force standards, making them subject to legal consequences. The definition of "officer" includes various state and local law enforcement roles, such as municipal police, sheriffs, and National Guard provost marshals. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill allows unified towns and gores in Essex County, Vermont to hire a professional assessor to handle property valuation duties. It amends state statutes to give the Board of Governors authority to appoint an outside assessor and an assessor clerk, similar to how other municipal boards select their officials. The changes grant these unified towns the power to incur debt and issue bonds to fund these positions, aligning their operational structure with other municipalities in the state. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2023, and applies specifically to the unified towns and gores within Essex County.
This bill proposes to repeal all existing laws that regulate licensed cannabis establishments in Vermont. It would directly affect businesses currently operating under cannabis regulations and the state's legal framework for overseeing these operations. The legislation includes findings about potential harms of cannabis use to health, safety, employment, driving, and youth, though it does not specify new regulations or enforcement measures. If passed, the bill would remove the current legal structure governing licensed cannabis businesses without replacing it with new oversight provisions.
This bill extends the City of Barre's ability to borrow money for its tax increment financing district until March 31, 2026, and allows the city to keep collected property taxes for that district until December 31, 2039. The legislation directly affects the City of Barre by modifying the time limits on how long it can use tax increment financing to fund projects and retain the resulting tax revenue. By overriding previous state laws, the bill gives the city more flexibility to manage its financing district without needing new legislative approval for these specific extensions. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, providing the city with additional time to plan and implement development projects supported by the financing district.
This bill establishes a legal framework for recovery residences in Vermont, which are shared living spaces designed to support individuals recovering from substance use disorders. It requires these residences to be certified by recognized organizations and mandates written rental agreements that outline policies, consequences for noncompliance, and alternative housing options for temporary removals. The legislation also directs municipalities to treat recovery residences as single-family homes for zoning purposes and requires the Department of Corrections to report on furloughed individuals residing in such facilities. Additionally, the bill creates a Recovery Stabilization Study Committee to further examine recovery housing needs and the bill aims to reduce homelessness and overdose deaths by expanding access to these supportive living environments.
This bill designates "National Emblem" as the official State March of Vermont. The legislation directly affects state ceremonies and events where the State March is traditionally played. It adds a new section to Vermont's statutes specifying that "National Emblem" shall be the State March, effective July 1, 2023. The bill notes that this march was composed in 1902 by Edwin Eugene Bagley and incorporates elements of the Star-Spangled Banner.
This bill directs Vermont's Department of Mental Health to create a new two-bed residential peer respite facility in southern Vermont to help people experiencing mental health crises. The facility will offer short-term stays of up to two weeks for one bed and up to four weeks for the other, providing an alternative to hospitalization. The Department must issue a request for proposals by July 1, 2023, and contract with a provider by January 1, 2024, using $515,000 in state funding for the project. This initiative aims to increase available short-term residential options while reducing reliance on inpatient psychiatric care.
This bill, known as the Thermal Energy Network Act, would bring thermal energy networks under the regulatory authority of Vermont's Public Utility Commission. It directly affects companies and organizations that build or operate systems that distribute heat from noncombustion sources like geothermal energy to buildings for heating, cooling, and hot water. The legislation requires a certificate of public good from the commission before anyone can construct such networks, and it grants these networks the same rights as electric and gas utilities to place infrastructure on private or public land. The commission must also create rules to simplify permitting, prioritize serving low and moderate income customers, and allow small networks serving fewer than 50 people to receive approval within 31 days.
This bill creates a new division within Vermont's Department for Children and Families to assist families where a parent is struggling with substance use disorder. The division aims to encourage parents to seek treatment by ensuring they do not face the threat of losing custody of their children as a consequence. It establishes a supportive framework that separates substance use treatment from child welfare enforcement to reduce barriers to care. The legislation directly impacts parents facing addiction issues and the children within those households by providing a dedicated support system.
This bill prohibits crisis pregnancy centers from advertising services they do not provide or that are designed to mislead the public, particularly regarding medical care availability and timing. It directly affects crisis pregnancy centers in Vermont by requiring them to clearly disclose whether they are licensed medical facilities and what services they actually offer. The legislation treats false advertising by these centers as an unfair or deceptive practice subject to existing consumer protection enforcement. Additionally, the bill addresses data privacy concerns by regulating how these centers collect and share personal information from visitors who may believe they are seeking medical care.
