Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 171: An act relating to criminal justice agency protocols for an officer-involved shooting

This Vermont bill (H 171) requires the Attorney General to investigate any law enforcement officer who unholsters a firearm during official duties. It mandates that such investigations be completed within 90 days (with exceptions for cases involving multiple injuries), and the Attorney General must provide a written report to both the officer and their agency. The report must detail facts, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations about potential criminal charges or policy changes. The bill also requires the Attorney General to create implementing rules by July 2025, including public access to investigation procedures. It directly affects law enforcement officers, their agencies, and the Attorney General's office.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates Attorney General investigations into officer firearm use with 90-day deadlines and written reports, enhancing police accountability and transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 361: An act relating to creating municipal and regional civilian oversight of law enforcement

This bill creates local civilian oversight boards in Vermont municipalities and regions to investigate complaints against police officers and agencies. These boards, which can be appointed or elected, receive complaints, conduct investigations (in addition to agency reviews), and issue public reports with recommendations that the Vermont Criminal Justice Council must consider. The bill specifically bans chokehold training except for prevention and requires law enforcement agencies to report serious incidents like officer-involved deaths to these boards within 10 business days. It directly affects all Vermont police departments, officers, and the Criminal Justice Council, which must follow board recommendations on officer discipline.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civilian oversight boards for police accountability, bans chokeholds, mandates reporting - directly advancing criminal justice reform through enhanced law enforcement oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2025

H 123: An act relating to driving while ability impaired

This bill proposes creating a new civil violation for driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.06 and 0.079, distinct from existing DUI laws that begin at 0.08 BAC. It would apply to drivers whose BAC falls in this range, subjecting them to a civil penalty of up to $500 and license suspension (similar to DUI penalties) but without creating a criminal record. The bill amends Vermont law to define "impaired by alcohol" as BAC 0.06-0.079 under Section 1201(a)(4), separating this offense from criminal DUI charges. This change aims to address lower-level impairment without triggering criminal consequences. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil penalty (not criminal) for BAC 0.06-0.079, avoiding criminal records - aligns with reform goals to reduce unnecessary criminalization.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 200: An act relating to persons prohibited from possessing firearms

H 200 prohibits Vermont residents found by a court to pose a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness from possessing firearms. This new rule applies to individuals under specific court orders for mental health treatment or hospitalization, aligning Vermont law with federal standards. The bill also increases penalties for second or subsequent offenses of firearm possession by prohibited persons, raising the maximum penalty to three years in jail or a $5,000 fine. It does not change existing prohibitions for other reasons, such as violent crime convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for high-risk individuals (mental health court orders) and increases penalties for violations, aligning with federal standards to prevent gun violence, a key criminal justice reform goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

Track

vetoed · Vermont · House Apr 9, 2025

H 489: An act relating to fiscal year 2025 budget adjustments

H.489 adjusts the Vermont state budget for fiscal year 2025 by modifying funding allocations across multiple agencies. It increases total funding for the Judiciary by $2.56 million (primarily through General Fund) and shifts $786,000 from Operating Expenses to Personal Services for the Agency of Digital Services. The bill also raises Human Services funding by $841,000, including a $4.3 million increase in the Global Commitment fund, while reducing Public Safety Criminal Justice Services funding by $681,000. These changes directly affect state agencies managing digital infrastructure, courts, public safety, and human services programs. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on April 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases Judiciary ($2.56M) and Human Services ($841k + $4.3M Global Commitment), funding essential programs through budget adjustments.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReduces Public Safety Criminal Justice Services funding, directly defunding a core criminal justice service area.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyShifts $786k to Agency of Digital Services for tech operations, directly funding digital infrastructure85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Digital Government

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 20, 2025

H 490: An act relating to incentivizing community service sentencing in certain cases

H 490 would reduce the required community service hours for individuals convicted of a second impaired driving offense under Vermont law. It specifically targets people sentenced for a second offense under 23 V.S.A. § 1210(c), aiming to make community service a more appealing sentencing option compared to jail time. The bill cites Vermont’s Restorative Justice Policy (28 V.S.A. § 2a) as justification, arguing aligning the hours encourages community service use. It also references Department of Corrections data to measure potential impacts on incarceration rates, though the bill itself only changes the sentencing requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces community service hours for second impaired driving offenses to incentivize restorative justice alternatives per Vermont's Restorative Justice Policy, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminalizing homelessness activities, shifts focus to housing/support services instead of incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds mental health care services via state grants for homelessness programs, advancing mental health support as part of mandated municipal programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits criminalizing homelessness and funds state grants for housing assistance, mental health, and shelter programs in designated humanitarian zones.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 192: An act relating to prohibiting solitary confinement for children

H.192 prohibits the use of solitary or room confinement for children in secure facilities (like detention centers) except as a temporary measure when a child poses an immediate risk of physical harm to themselves or others. The bill requires staff to first attempt de-escalation techniques, such as talking with the child or involving a mental health professional, before confinement. It limits confinement time to a maximum of 30 minutes for self-harm risks or 3 hours for risks to others, mandates 15-minute check-ins, and requires release when the risk subsides. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and excludes regular sleeping hours and single-occupancy rooms not used for confinement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits solitary confinement for minors in detention centers, requiring de-escalation and time limits, directly advancing youth protection and reform in corrections within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health professionals in de-escalation before confinement, directly supporting mental health services for children in detention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 379: An act relating to second look sentencing

H 379 creates a "second look" sentencing process in Vermont for incarcerated individuals serving 15+ years. It allows people who have served at least 15 years to petition their original sentencing court for a sentence reduction, directly affecting those currently serving long sentences (including life sentences or 50+ year terms). Key mechanisms include mandatory notice to the court, prosecutor, and public defender after 15 years of incarceration, a structured petition process with required documentation, and expedited hearings for those with serious health conditions or who are 60+ years old after 25 years served. The bill aims to reduce Vermont's high rate of life-sentence inmates (20% of the incarcerated population) and lower annual incarceration costs ($134,218 per person).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables sentence reduction petitions after 15+ years, promoting rehabilitation and reducing long-term incarceration - core criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

Track

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 12: An act relating to sealing criminal history records

This bill (S.12) creates a new process for Vermont residents to have certain criminal records sealed from public view. It allows sealing of most misdemeanor offenses and specific non-violent felonies (like certain drug possession or property crimes), provided the offense isn't excluded. Excluded offenses include sex crimes, domestic violence, violations of protection orders, and some drug offenses involving large quantities. Once sealed, these records are no longer accessible to most employers, landlords, or licensing boards, helping individuals with qualifying histories access housing, jobs, and education opportunities. The bill was enacted into law after receiving final approval from the governor on June 12, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSeals non-violent criminal records to reduce barriers to employment and rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy