Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 440: An act relating to providing protections against no-cause eviction

Vermont's H 440 bill would protect residential renters by restricting landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason. Landlords could only terminate tenancies without cause for specific reasons like major renovations (exceeding 50% of unit value), owner-occupancy by the landlord or immediate family, or if a tenant refuses reasonable lease renewal terms. Tenants would receive 60 days' notice for stays under two years or 90 days for longer tenancies, plus relocation assistance equivalent to one month's rent. The bill does not apply to the first six months of a rental agreement.

Topics ✓ Housing

Mari Cordes (D) Chloe Tomlinson (D) Barbara Rachelson (D) Kate McCann (D) Brian Cina (D)

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 93: An act relating to consumer data privacy

S 93, the Vermont Data Privacy Act, would give Vermont residents new rights over their personal data, including the ability to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses by businesses. It specifically strengthens protections for sensitive health data like reproductive, sexual, and gender-affirming health information, requiring businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent without deceptive "dark patterns." The bill prohibits companies from using precise geolocation data or biometric information without explicit permission and sets strict rules for how businesses must handle personal data. These provisions would directly affect Vermont residents and all businesses collecting their data within the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 94: An act relating to the duty of the Attorney General to enforce certain criminal offenses

This bill designates Vermont's Attorney General as the primary enforcement authority for specific criminal cases, directly affecting how these cases are handled by state prosecutors. It requires the Attorney General to lead prosecutions in 13 defined categories, including cases involving law enforcement excessive force, crimes by elected officials, multi-county offenses, human trafficking, public assistance fraud, and certain wildlife violations. State's Attorneys may still handle these cases if they stipulate with the Attorney General, but without such agreement, the Attorney General takes primary responsibility. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 95: An act relating to standby guardianships for children whose parents have been subject to adverse immigration actions

This bill creates a specific standby guardianship process for children whose custodial parents face "adverse immigration actions" that make them unavailable to care for the child. It amends Vermont law to define "adverse immigration action" (including detention, deportation proceedings, or visa denials by immigration authorities) and requires petitions for standby guardianship to specify the relevant immigration action. The law allows parents facing such actions to formally appoint a temporary guardian in advance, with streamlined notice procedures if the parent is detained. It directly affects children of immigrant parents subject to immigration enforcement and the appointed guardians who would provide care during the parent's absence. The policy change ensures children have a designated guardian during immigration-related custody disruptions without requiring court approval for the guardianship itself.

Topics ✓ Immigration