Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2025

H 405: An act relating to competency to stand trial

This bill changes Vermont's rules for criminal cases involving defendants found incompetent to stand trial. It requires charges to be dismissed if the defendant remains incompetent after the time limit for prosecution (statute of limitations) expires. The law also clarifies that the time limit pauses (is tolled) while the defendant is deemed incompetent, and restarts when competency is reassessed. This directly affects criminal defendants who are found incompetent and the prosecution's ability to proceed after the time limit.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects defendants' rights by requiring charge dismissal after statute of limitations expires, preventing indefinite detention without trial.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2025

H 30: An act relating to the use of seclusion and restraint on children and youth in the custody of the Department for Children and Families

H 30 reduces the use of seclusion and restraint on children and youth in residential programs under Vermont's Department for Children and Families (DCF). It defines these terms in law (33 V.S.A. § 3206), requires residential programs to report data consistently, and mandates DCF to update its IT system for better data collection. The bill also requires staff training on alternatives to seclusion and restraint. These changes directly affect children in DCF custody and the residential programs serving them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces seclusion/restraint on youth in DCF custody, aligning with criminal justice reform by promoting alternatives and protecting civil rights of vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safer alternatives to seclusion/restraint in youth care, requires staff training, and improves data collection for mental health safety - advancing mental health service standards.92% confidence

Track

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 294: An act relating to telecommunications services and wages in correctional facilities

This bill requires Vermont correctional facilities to provide free telephone, video, and electronic communication services to incarcerated individuals at no cost to them. It caps commissary prices at no more than 10% above fair market value for comparable community products. The bill mandates that incarcerated individuals receive at least the federal minimum wage for their labor, with wages held in a separate fund and subject to limited deductions for maintenance or victim restitution. Additionally, the Department of Corrections must evaluate contracts with Global Tel Link and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026, to ensure pricing does not exceed community rates or competitor offerings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free communication, fair commissary pricing, and federal minimum wage for incarcerated labor - advancing correctional reform and fair compensation in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates federal minimum wage for incarcerated labor with protected earnings via separate fund and limited deductions, advancing worker compensation standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Minimum Wage

signed · Vermont · Senate May 2, 2025

S 9: An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault

Bill S 9 establishes a process for individuals to seek and obtain emergency temporary orders against sexual assault outside of regular court hours, including on weekends and holidays. It directs the Court Administrator to create specific procedures for this after-hours access. Key provisions include designating authorized personnel to receive requests and allowing electronic submission of complaints and affidavits. Judicial officers can then review these submissions and issue orders remotely, which can require a defendant to stay away from the plaintiff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables after-hours emergency orders for sexual assault victims, improving court access and victim safety in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 90: An act relating to employee privacy protections

This Vermont bill (S 90) prohibits most employers from using credit checks, criminal history inquiries, or drug testing for hiring or employment decisions unless the information has a direct relationship to the specific job duties. It exempts certain roles like financial positions, law enforcement, and jobs involving financial fiduciary responsibilities, but requires employers to demonstrate the direct job connection. The bill also bans retaliation against employees who report violations and imposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance. It directly affects all Vermont employers and job applicants by restricting common pre-employment screenings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts employer use of criminal history in hiring, reducing barriers for reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits invasive employer practices (credit checks, criminal history) that can discriminate, protecting worker privacy and rights with anti-retaliation measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 28, 2025

S 96: An act relating to the calculation of recidivism and other related criminology measures

This bill redefines how Vermont calculates recidivism (reoffending after a prior conviction) and establishes a four-tier classification system for repeat violent offenders. It sets specific time thresholds between offenses: Class 1 requires at least one year, Class 2 three years, Class 3 five years, and Class 4 ten years before a new conviction. The Department of Corrections will use these definitions to measure recidivism rates and track repeat violent offenders. The changes apply to individuals sentenced to over one year in prison or convicted of violent offenses, effective July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter sentencing or penalties but standardizes how these metrics are calculated.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill tightens recidivism thresholds for repeat violent offenders, enabling harsher sentencing classifications (e.g., 1-year gap for Class 1), opposing reform by prioritizing punitive measures over rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

signed · Vermont · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 109: An act relating to miscellaneous judiciary procedures

This bill amends multiple Vermont statutes to adjust court procedures and criminal justice policies. It creates an adult court diversion program allowing prosecutors to refer eligible defendants (post-charge, with court probable cause) to restorative options instead of prosecution, while expanding the definition of "victim" to include family members and certain professionals. Key provisions include restricting public internet access to court records (allowing limited access for attorneys and law enforcement), adding a $100 surcharge for criminal cases to fund investigative units, and establishing automatic expungement for certain switchblade knife convictions prior to July 2025. These changes directly affect courts, prosecutors, defendants, victims, and law enforcement agencies. The bill is now law after being signed by the governor on June 12, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates diversion program for restorative justice, reducing prosecution and supporting reform goals like rehabilitation and victim inclusion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 28, 2025

H 107: An act relating to reports or complaints of sex offenses or sexual harassment

This bill (H 107) expands Vermont's anti-SLAPP law to protect individuals who file good faith reports or complaints about sex offenses or sexual harassment. It adds these reports to the list of protected activities under the existing law, which prevents lawsuits designed to silence public speech on matters of public interest. The law allows defendants to file a "special motion to strike" if a lawsuit targets such reports and lacks factual or legal basis, with courts requiring plaintiffs to prove the report was unfounded and caused actual harm. This directly affects people reporting sex-related misconduct by shielding them from retaliatory civil lawsuits, while excluding criminal cases and healthcare-related claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects victims filing sex offense reports from retaliatory lawsuits, strengthening reporting mechanisms and civil rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Track