Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 19: An act relating to grand larceny of a firearm

This Vermont bill (H.19) changes the definition of grand larceny to automatically include the theft of any firearm, regardless of its value. Previously, grand larceny required stolen property to exceed $900 in value; this bill removes that threshold specifically for firearms. The key mechanism amends Vermont law to list "a firearm of any value" as a separate basis for grand larceny charges under § 2501(2). This directly affects individuals who steal firearms, subjecting them to the same penalties as other high-value thefts (up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 fine). The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves $900 value threshold for firearm theft, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for firearm larceny under grand larceny charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 176: An act relating to developing the Department of Corrections’ community restitution program

H 176 requires Vermont's Department of Corrections to reinstate its community work program (called "work crew") by July 1, 2025, after it was discontinued in 2023. The bill mandates reinstating prior policies and sets minimum requirements: offenders must be assigned at least 20 work crew days per court order, or 60 days total across multiple orders. This directly affects individuals sentenced to community restitution and the Department of Corrections, which must implement the program by the deadline. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReinstates community restitution program requiring work crew days, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration - aligns with reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2025

H 411: An act relating to public safety

H 411 updates Vermont's public safety laws with several key changes. It extends extradition timelines to 120 days for individuals violating bail, probation, or parole in another state, and mandates a minimum five-year prison sentence for high-risk sex offenders who fail to comply with registry requirements. The bill restricts judges from using alternative sentences for repeat offenders or those violating probation without written justification, and changes the process for sealing criminal records to make sealing standard for most completed sentences with limited access for criminal justice and licensing purposes. Additionally, it transfers juvenile case jurisdiction for certain offenses from the Family Division to the Criminal Division and repeals a law that had raised the age of juvenile jurisdiction to 19.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 5-year sentences for sex offenders, restricts judicial alternatives for repeat offenders, and tightens record sealing - increasing penalties and limiting judicial discretion per reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 116: An act relating to crimes against an unborn child

Vermont's S.116 would define an unborn child as a "person" under criminal law when bodily injury or death results from a crime, allowing prosecutors to charge perpetrators without proving they knew about the pregnancy or intended harm to the fetus. This directly affects individuals who commit crimes (like assault or homicide) causing fetal harm, while explicitly protecting pregnant women from prosecution for their own actions and legal medical procedures like abortions with consent. The bill adds a new section to Vermont law clarifying that an unborn child is deemed a person for criminal offenses involving injury or death, but excludes abortion and medical treatments from prosecution. It aims to resolve inconsistencies in past court rulings about fetal personhood under criminal statutes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by defining unborn child as a person in criminal law, enabling prosecution for fetal harm without intent proof, thus increasing scope of criminal offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2025

H 59: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington

This bill approves amendments to the City of Burlington's charter that reform police oversight. It directly affects the Burlington Police Department, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Chief of Police by: (1) allowing the Board and Chief to jointly propose department rules; (2) giving the Board sole authority to review all misconduct allegations and conduct independent investigations; and (3) enabling the Board to request an independent panel to resolve disagreements with the Chief over misconduct outcomes. These changes, approved by Burlington voters in November 2024, aim to strengthen civilian oversight of police conduct through clearer procedures and independent review processes. The bill does not change police staffing or funding but modifies how misconduct reviews and rule-making are handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill H 59 enhances police accountability by granting Board sole authority to review misconduct and conduct investigations, directly advancing criminal justice reform through strengthened oversight mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 64: An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault

H 64 creates a process for victims of sexual assault to obtain emergency protective orders outside regular court hours, weekends, and holidays. It requires the Court Administrator to establish procedures where an authorized person can receive requests (including electronically), administer a sworn statement over the phone, and relay the case to a judicial officer for a decision. This directly affects individuals seeking immediate protection from sexual assault when courts are closed. The judicial officer decides solely based on the submitted information, and if approved, the order is delivered to law enforcement for service. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates emergency court access for sexual assault victims, improving victim protection and access to justice within criminal court procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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passed · Vermont · House Feb 6, 2026

H 5: An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

H.5 amends Vermont's evidence rules to allow statements made by children aged 12-15 who are victims of specific abuse crimes (like sexual assault, cruelty, or exploitation) to be used as evidence in court. The bill requires courts to verify that such statements are trustworthy, made before legal proceedings began, and not prepared for trial. It directly affects child victims in criminal, civil, or juvenile cases involving listed abuse offenses under Vermont law. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies only to cases where the child’s statements relate to the alleged abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables use of child victims' statements in abuse cases, strengthening prosecution of sexual assault/cruelty crimes under Vermont law while requiring trustworthiness verification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2025

H 252: An act relating to prohibiting earned time for second or subsequent felony convictions

This bill (H 252) prohibits individuals convicted of a second or subsequent felony from earning time off their prison sentence through Vermont's earned time program. It amends 28 V.S.A. § 818 to explicitly exclude people sentenced for a felony after a prior felony conviction from participating in the program. The key change removes this group from eligibility, meaning repeat felony offenders cannot reduce their sentences via earned time. This applies to all current and future offenders meeting this criteria, excluding them from the standard earned time provisions. The bill is currently pending referral to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits earned time for repeat felony offenders, restricting sentence reductions and opposing rehabilitation-focused reforms in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 30, 2025

H 118: An act relating to expanding the scope of hate-motivated crimes

H.118 expands the scope of hate-motivated crimes in Vermont by amending existing law. This bill specifies that a person who commits a crime motivated, in whole or in part, by another person's or a group of persons' actual or perceived membership in a protected category will face enhanced penalties. The penalties vary based on the severity of the underlying crime, with courts considering motivation as a sentencing factor for more serious offenses. "Protected category" includes characteristics like race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands hate crime penalties, enhancing protection for victims of bias-motivated crimes. Aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and increasing accountability for hate-motivated offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 18: An act relating to decriminalizing nonmoving DLS violations for third-time offenders

H.18 would reclassify third-time nonmoving license violations (such as parking tickets) as civil offenses instead of criminal ones for drivers with suspended licenses. Specifically, it changes penalties for individuals who operate a vehicle with a suspended license after their third nonmoving violation within a two-year period, shifting from potential jail time or large fines to civil penalties like fines and community service. This applies only to nonmoving violations (not moving traffic offenses like speeding), affecting repeat offenders who commit nonmoving violations after multiple license suspensions. The bill, if passed, would take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies minor traffic violations from criminal to civil penalties, reducing unnecessary criminal records and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by minimizing over-criminalization of non-serious offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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