This bill would change how legal representation is assigned to individuals found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity in Vermont. Currently, these individuals receive attorneys from Vermont Legal Aid, but the bill proposes shifting that responsibility to the Office of the Defender General. The change would apply to people who are determined mentally unfit for trial, acquitted by reason of insanity, or found insane at the time of the alleged offense. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, altering the existing legal framework for these specific court proceedings.
This bill directs state officials to investigate whether Vermont could open child care centers in government-owned or leased buildings. The study must examine potential locations, estimate operating costs based on local market rates and household income, determine which ages would be served, and decide if the facility would prioritize state employees or serve the general public. State building and children's services commissioners must complete this analysis and submit a report to relevant legislative committees by January 15, 2024. The measure affects state agencies responsible for facilities and child care, as well as legislative committees overseeing human services and corrections.
This bill prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in sexual acts with individuals they are investigating, detaining, arresting, or holding in custody, including during traffic stops or questioning. It directly affects police officers and the people they interact with during investigations by establishing a clear boundary between professional duties and personal conduct. The law specifies that violations can result in imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both penalties. This amendment to Vermont's criminal code takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to prevent abuse of power within law enforcement interactions.
This bill expands the State Auditor's authority to examine the financial records of any company or organization that provides services to the State of Vermont. It requires the Secretary of Administration to update administrative guidelines so that all state contracts include language allowing the State Auditor to review contractor records, and it amends state law to formally grant this examination power. The law specifies that the State Auditor can review records in any format, but only those relevant to the specific state contract being audited. These changes take effect on July 1, 2023, and apply to all contractors doing business with the state.
This bill would change how general election ballots are distributed in Vermont by requiring voters to request their mail-in ballots instead of receiving them automatically. It directly affects active voters on the statewide voter checklist who currently receive ballots without asking for them. The key provision amends state law to mandate that the Secretary of State's office only mails ballots upon voter request for general elections. This change shifts the voting process from automatic distribution to an opt-in system for mail-in ballots.
This bill exempts certain aircraft hangars from Vermont's land use and development law, Act 250. It directly affects owners and operators of hangars at state-owned airports. The key provision allows construction of hangars up to 120 feet by 120 feet without requiring a permit, provided they meet state stormwater management rules and Federal Aviation Administration standards. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.
This bill removes the time limit for filing civil lawsuits related to childhood emotional abuse, allowing victims to seek legal action regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. It defines childhood emotional abuse as harmful acts committed by someone in a position of authority over a child under 18 that impaired the child's social, emotional, or cognitive development. The legislation also requires that complaints be sealed until the defendant responds or a dismissal motion is resolved, and it applies retroactively to cases of emotional abuse that occurred before July 1, 2023.
This bill amends Vermont state law to consistently use the term "hard cider" instead of "cider" in several sections of Title 7, which governs alcoholic beverages. The change clarifies that cider refers specifically to fermented apple or pear beverages with an alcohol content between one and 16 percent, including sweetened, flavored, and carbonated varieties. The updated terminology applies to definitions, regulations on serving sampler flights, festival permit requirements, and tax calculations for malt and vinous beverages. The bill affects liquor license holders, event organizers, and businesses involved in the production and sale of alcoholic cider in Vermont.
This bill modifies Vermont's motor vehicle inspection requirements to reduce testing for newer electric and hybrid vehicles. It exempts plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from safety inspections for the first 40 months after manufacture, zero-emission vehicles from all inspections for the first 40 months, and other motor vehicles from safety inspections for the first 30 months after manufacture. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify what constitutes a plug-in electric vehicle, battery electric vehicle, and zero-emission vehicle. These changes apply to all registered motor vehicles except school buses and motor buses, which remain subject to existing inspection schedules. The bill aims to align inspection policies with Vermont's climate goals by reducing barriers to adopting newer, cleaner vehicles.
This bill would remove criminal penalties for possessing, selling, or offering for sale switchblade knives in Vermont. It directly affects individuals who own or trade these weapons by eliminating the current 90-day jail sentence and $100 fine for violations. The legislation amends existing state law to decriminalize switchblade knives with blades three inches or longer, effective immediately upon passage.
This bill allows Vermont Superior Court judges to dismiss certain low-level criminal cases to help clear a backlog of pending matters. Specifically, it permits dismissal of nonviolent misdemeanor cases where the defendant has followed release conditions for a time equal to the crime's maximum sentence, and fine-only misdemeanor cases where more than a year has passed since arraignment. The changes apply to cases already in the system, aiming to free up court resources for more serious crimes and reduce delays for all parties involved.
This bill directs the Vermont Agency of Transportation to remove the remaining support pilings from Bridge 308 in Barre City, which currently obstruct water flow in the Stevens Branch. The legislation adds this removal project to the state's Rail Program and sets a completion deadline of June 30, 2024. If the pilings cannot be removed, the bill requires the bridge structure to be redesigned so it has no supports within the river channel. The measure aims to reduce the risk of ice and debris jams that can cause flooding and damage to the surrounding area.
