Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2026

H 876: An act relating to establishing an annual reporting requirement for prosecutors

H 876 requires Vermont State's Attorneys, Sheriffs' offices, and the Attorney General’s Criminal Division to submit annual, de-identified reports to the Governor and General Assembly. The reports must detail case data including arrests/referrals per offense, prosecutions accepted, pre-charge diversions, dismissals (with categorical reasons), and case dispositions (e.g., convictions via plea, trial, or dismissal types). Reports must be compiled uniformly, searchable by jurisdiction and offense, and submitted by March 1 each year. This bill aims to increase public accountability by providing lawmakers with standardized data on prosecutorial decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prosecutors to submit transparent, data-driven reports on case handling to enhance accountability and inform criminal justice reform efforts.85% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2026

H 873: An act relating to course of conduct in stalking cases

This bill clarifies that in stalking cases, a "course of conduct" can include multiple acts occurring within a single day, rather than requiring separate calendar days. It amends Vermont's criminal and civil stalking definitions (12 V.S.A. §5131 and 13 V.S.A. §1061) to explicitly state that two or more acts establishing a course of conduct do not need to happen on different days. The change directly affects victims of stalking, prosecutors, and courts by making it easier to prove stalking cases involving repeated incidents within a single timeframe. This update simplifies the legal standard without altering penalties or expanding the definition of stalking itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies stalking definition to ease prosecution, aiding victims - supports victim protection in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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passed · Vermont · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SR 21: Senate resolution relating to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Operation Metro Surge

Vermont's Senate resolution SR 21 condemns the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens (Renée Good and Alex Pretti) by federal agents during ICE's Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. It demands the President immediately suspend the operation, reset immigration enforcement to target only serious criminals, and prioritize constitutional rights. The resolution urges Vermont's congressional delegation to oppose further ICE funding unless reforms include ending militarized tactics, restoring due process, and creating fair pathways to legal status. It also affirms constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and lethal force without legal accountability. The resolution is a non-binding call for federal action, not a law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCondemns militarized ICE tactics, demands due process and constitutional rights in immigration enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCondemns militarized ICE tactics, demands suspension, prioritizes constitutional rights and due process in immigration enforcement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 853: An act relating to expanded use of contingency management therapy and neurofeedback in Vermont’s health care and criminal justice systems

H.853 proposes expanding access to contingency management therapy (a behavioral treatment) and neurofeedback (a brain-training technique) within Vermont's health care and criminal justice systems. The bill would appropriate funds for existing programs using these methods, require studies on broader implementation, and create new pilot programs specifically for justice-involved individuals. This directly affects Vermont's health care providers, criminal justice agencies, and people involved with the justice system seeking recovery support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands rehabilitation programs (contingency management/neurofeedback) for justice-involved individuals, aiming to reduce recidivism through funding and pilot programs in criminal justice systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for behavioral therapies and neurofeedback in healthcare systems, expands access via pilot programs, and mandates studies for implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Vermont · House May 27, 2026

H 635: An act relating to eliminating Department of Corrections supervisory fees

H 635 eliminates a $30 monthly supervisory fee previously charged to individuals on probation, furlough, supervised community sentences, or parole in Vermont. The bill prohibits the Department of Corrections from assessing, collecting, or pursuing outstanding fees, including through wage garnishment or tax offsets. It requires the department to forgive all existing fees, remove fee references from records, and stop all collection efforts. Failure to pay this fee will no longer be considered a violation of supervision terms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates financial barriers for probation/parole individuals, reducing recidivism risks and advancing correctional reform by removing fees that hinder reentry.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 180: An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

This bill adopts recommendations from Vermont's Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group. It creates a formal process for courts to refer nonviolent offenders (those convicted of nonviolent felonies, misdemeanors, or specific nonviolent misdemeanors) to community reparative boards instead of traditional sentencing or probation. Key provisions include requiring courts to consider victim input and community impact before referral, mandating standardized referral forms, and specifying that successful program completion avoids further sentencing while failure requires returning to court. The law applies to eligible cases starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting nonviolent offenders in Vermont's criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates community reparative boards for nonviolent offenders, reducing traditional sentencing reliance and advancing restorative justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 550: An act relating to gender equity within Vermont’s correctional facilities

H.550 requires Vermont’s Department of Corrections to establish standards for addressing, housing, and providing care to transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals in correctional facilities. It mandates that facilities use an inmate’s chosen name and pronouns, allow housing based on gender identity (not anatomy), and prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, anatomy, or sexual orientation. The bill also requires staff to ask inmates about gender identity during intake and to reassess housing for safety concerns. These provisions directly affect all transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people incarcerated in Vermont’s state facilities. The bill aims to ensure respect, safety, and access to appropriate medical care while addressing systemic barriers in correctional settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates gender-inclusive policies in correctional facilities, protecting transgender inmates' rights and aligning with criminal justice reform principles of equity and civil rights.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates non-discriminatory healthcare in correctional facilities for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, requiring appropriate care, housing, and use of chosen name/pronouns to protect patient rights and improve access.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections

failed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 208: An act relating to standards for law enforcement identification

This bill requires all Vermont law enforcement officers (including local, state, and federal officers working in the state) to clearly display their name or badge number on their uniform during public interactions. It prohibits wearing masks or personal disguises while performing duties, with exceptions for medical masks (surgical/N95), fire/smoke protection, water rescues, chemical/biological hazard protection, and cold-weather emergencies. Officers violating these rules face fines up to $1,000 or loss of licensure. The law aims to enhance public transparency and safety during officer-public encounters, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates visible officer identification during public interactions, directly enhancing police accountability and transparency - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 590: An act relating to prohibiting detention and incarceration of minors under 18 years of age in adult correctional facilities

This bill prohibits detaining or incarcerating minors under 18 in adult correctional facilities, except in limited cases where a minor is charged with a crime punishable by life imprisonment and the court determines public safety requires it. It applies to all minors involved in delinquency proceedings - both before and after a court adjudicates them as delinquent. Key provisions require immediate transfer of minors to juvenile facilities if mistakenly placed in adult facilities, mandate court findings for secure facility placement, and establish a process for independent review of prolonged detentions. The bill directly affects minors, juvenile justice agencies, and adult correctional facilities in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits minors under 18 in adult facilities, promoting juvenile justice reform and rehabilitation, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 237: An act relating to restructuring the Parole Board

S.237 restructures Vermont's Parole Board by establishing a five-member board (one full-time chair and four members) with new staffing requirements, including a staff attorney and additional administrative support. It mandates annual training for board members on topics like criminogenic behavior and trauma-informed practices, requires the board to submit its budget directly to the Governor, and sets new parole eligibility rules: offenders must have no pending criminal charges to qualify. The bill also clarifies victims’ rights to receive notification of parole hearings, testify, and receive the board’s decision, while allowing parolees to voluntarily relinquish parole status or benefit from earned time. These changes directly affect parole board operations, incarcerated individuals seeking release, crime victims, and parolees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates parole board training on trauma-informed practices and criminogenic behavior, promoting rehabilitation-focused reform in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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