Vermont Bills

introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 3, 2025

S 140: An act relating to implementing second look sentencing and compassionate release

This bill creates a "second look" process allowing Vermont courts to review long-term sentences for incarcerated individuals who have served at least 10 years or 50% of a sentence (if at least five years total). It also establishes compassionate release for inmates aged 65+ with serious medical needs, those with terminal/incurable conditions, or those with debilitating health issues who pose no public safety risk. The Department of Corrections must notify eligible inmates and provide petition forms after 40% of their sentence is served, and courts must hold hearings within 45 days if eligibility criteria are met. Petitions require specific documentation and cannot be filed more frequently than every two years after a denial.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Vermont · Senate Apr 3, 2025

JRS 20: Joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on April 4, 2025

This procedural bill (JRS 20) directs the Vermont legislature to adjourn on Friday, April 4, 2025, and reconvene no later than Tuesday, April 8, 2025. It affects only the legislative schedule, not policy or citizens. The resolution adjusts the timing of the session to skip the weekend between April 4-7, 2025. The bill was adopted by both chambers on April 1-3, 2025, and is now in effect.

introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 2, 2025

S 139: An act relating to the management of materials from packaging

This bill requires Vermont's Secretary of Natural Resources to study packaging waste management by January 2027. The study will examine current recycling rates, barriers to reducing plastic waste, health/environmental impacts of packaging chemicals, and opportunities for reuse programs. It also bans the use of chemical conversion technologies (like breaking down plastic into fuel or oil) for plastic waste disposal in Vermont. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Vermont · House Apr 2, 2025

H 342: An act relating to protecting the personal information of certain public servants

H 342 protects the personal information of specific Vermont public servants and their families by restricting data brokers from disclosing certain details. It applies to judges, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, public defenders, parole/probation officers, and related staff (including their immediate families), prohibiting brokers from sharing home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and vehicle identifiers. Covered individuals can request brokers stop sharing their protected information within 15 days, with violations subject to $10,000 civil penalties. The law excludes government agencies from being classified as "data brokers" under this provision.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Vermont · House Apr 2, 2025

H 2: An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings

This bill raises Vermont's minimum age for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 10 to 12 years old. It also increases the age threshold for transferring youth to adult court from 19 to 20 years old, meaning youth aged 16-17 committing offenses will now remain in juvenile court until age 21 (previously 20), and those aged 18 will stay until age 22 (previously 21). The law directly affects youth aged 12-20 involved in delinquency cases, keeping them in the juvenile justice system longer. Implementation requires the Agency of Human Services to report progress on facility and program expansions by 2026, with full implementation effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Vermont · House Apr 2, 2025

HCR 68: House concurrent resolution celebrating the role of the manufacturing industry in the Vermont economy and designating April 2, 2025 as Manufacturing Day at the State House

HCR 68 is a ceremonial resolution, not a law, that honors Vermont's manufacturing sector. It designates April 2, 2025, as "Manufacturing Day" for an event at the Vermont State House. The resolution celebrates manufacturing's economic impact - highlighting its $3 billion contribution to Vermont's GDP and 30,000 jobs - while directing the Secretary of State to share the resolution with industry groups like the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center. This is a symbolic gesture with no new policies or funding, solely aimed at recognizing the industry's role.

passed both · Vermont · House Apr 2, 2025

HCR 69: House concurrent resolution designating April 2, 2025 as Early College Day at the State House

HCR 69 is a ceremonial resolution designating April 2, 2025, as "Early College Day" at the Vermont State House. It recognizes the Early College Program (ECP), which allows high school students to earn college credits simultaneously while completing their senior year. The resolution highlights ECP’s role in increasing postsecondary enrollment - particularly for low-income students - and its connection to the Community College of Vermont. It does not create new policy but formally acknowledges the program through a statehouse visit by ECP students on that date.

introduced · Vermont · House Apr 1, 2025

H 498: An act relating to prohibiting municipal regulation of homelessness and supporting municipal programs to address homelessness

This bill prohibits Vermont municipalities from passing laws that criminalize basic activities like sleeping, camping, or resting on public property for unhoused individuals. It creates state-funded grants to support municipal programs offering housing assistance, mental health care, job training, and temporary shelter in designated "humanitarian zones" with access to sanitation and water. Municipalities must report annually on homelessness progress and include homelessness strategies in local planning. The bill also requires the state to expand low-barrier housing programs and establish a task force to oversee implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 1, 2025

S 137: An act relating to an option to vote "None of these candidates" on primary and general election ballots

S 137 would require Vermont primary and general election ballots to include a new "None of these candidates" option. Voters selecting this option would have their vote counted specifically as a valid vote for "None" rather than as a blank or invalid ballot. The bill amends election laws to add this option after candidate names on ballots and specifies that such votes must be recorded separately on tally sheets. This change directly affects all Vermont voters participating in primary and general elections starting July 1, 2025.

introduced · Vermont · House Apr 1, 2025

H 499: An act relating to establishing the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for the Institution of Chattel Slavery

This bill establishes a state Task Force to study and develop proposals for reparations related to chattel slavery in Vermont. The Task Force will examine the historical impacts of chattel slavery, consider whether the state should issue an apology, and recommend specific remedies to the Vermont General Assembly. It directly affects Vermont's government by creating a formal body to conduct this study and provide recommendations. The bill does not implement reparations itself but sets up the process for the legislature to consider them based on the Task Force's findings.

passed · Vermont · House Apr 1, 2025

H 244: An act relating to State contracting standards for advertising

This bill requires Vermont state agencies to spend at least 70% of their annual advertising budget on local news and broadcast organizations. It directly affects state departments and agencies that purchase print, digital, radio, or TV advertising, directing them to prioritize local media meeting specific criteria (e.g., covering Vermont communities, having local staff, and meeting audience requirements). Exceptions apply to tourism-focused ads and job postings. The bill also mandates an annual report to the legislature detailing state advertising spending by entity and vendor. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

introduced · Vermont · House Apr 1, 2025

H 500: An act relating to automated license plate recognition systems

This bill (H.500) prevents the repeal of existing Vermont regulations governing automated license plate recognition (ALPR) systems used by law enforcement. It specifically preserves provisions in 23 V.S.A. chapter 15, subchapter 2 that regulate how police can use ALPR data, including rules for data retention and permissible uses. The bill directly affects Vermont law enforcement agencies that deploy ALPR technology. It maintains current restrictions on how long license plate data can be stored and how it may be accessed or shared, without creating new requirements. The legislation is procedural, aiming to keep existing privacy safeguards in place.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Bill results