Criminal Justice (Courts)

signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 642: An act relating to youthful offender proceedings

H.642 modifies Vermont's youthful offender proceedings to strengthen court considerations and protections. It requires courts to specifically evaluate whether a youth has acknowledged causing harm (§ 5284(a)(11)) when deciding if public safety allows youthful offender treatment. The bill also mandates revoking youthful offender status if a youth on probation is charged with a violent crime (unless public safety is protected) or fails to attend a probation hearing without valid reason. Additionally, it clarifies victims' right to attend and speak at key hearings. This bill directly affects youth aged 12-18 facing charges, courts making disposition decisions, and the Departments of Children and Families and Corrections responsible for supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens youth protections by requiring harm acknowledgment evaluation and revoking status for violent crimes without public safety justification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 529: An act relating to enforcing violations of court-imposed pretrial supervision conditions

H.529 allows pretrial supervision officers to formally request court reviews when defendants violate court-imposed release rules. It directly affects defendants with five or more pending court cases or who have violated prior release conditions, requiring courts to reassess supervision needs. The bill establishes a clear process where officers can file motions for review, and courts must evaluate factors like the violation’s nature, defendant’s history, and public safety risks before adjusting supervision levels or issuing warrants for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates court reviews for supervision violations, requiring evaluation of public safety and defendant history, promoting fairer pretrial decisions aligned with reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 178: An act relating to speedy trial procedures in criminal cases

This bill establishes time limits for criminal trials in Vermont: defendants charged with nonviolent misdemeanors can seek dismissal if trial hasn't started within one year, and those charged with nonviolent felonies can do so after two years. Prosecutors must respond to such dismissal motions within 14 days, explaining delays using specific factors like offense seriousness or defendant history. The bill excludes certain delays from these timelines, such as mental competency evaluations, defendant absence, or court-ordered continuances with documented justification. It directly affects defendants facing criminal charges and prosecutors managing case timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes time limits for trials to prevent undue delay, protecting defendants' right to speedy trial (civil rights) and promoting efficient court processing, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 627: An act relating to crime victims’ rights in forensic cases

H.627 expands rights for crime victims in forensic cases where defendants face competency or sanity evaluations. It requires prosecutors to notify victims (who haven’t opted out) at least 30 days before key proceedings, including hearings on a defendant’s discharge from mental health treatment or hospitalization. The bill mandates that victims receive notice of court hearings and the right to be heard when a defendant committed under mental health laws is scheduled for discharge. This applies to cases where defendants were found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. The law aims to ensure victims are informed about their rights and the status of the defendant’s case.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands crime victims' rights in forensic proceedings, ensuring notice and right to be heard during competency/discharge hearings, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 721: An act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures, and forensic facilities for criminal justice-involved individuals

This bill changes how Vermont handles juvenile criminal cases by moving certain serious offenses to the Criminal Division of Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It applies to juveniles aged 14-22 for specific crimes like firearm use during felony, drug trafficking, or aggravated stalking (as listed in sections 5201(c)(3) and 5204(a)). Key provisions include prohibiting suspended sentences for repeat offenders with prior escape convictions or three felony convictions, requiring written court findings for deferred sentences, and creating a new forensic facility for certain offenders. The bill also repeals "Raise the Age" protections for 19-year-olds and establishes stricter rules for sentencing and case transfers.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill moves serious juvenile offenses to criminal court and prohibits suspended sentences for repeat offenders, increasing mandatory sentencing and reducing judicial discretion for specific cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 535: An act relating to establishing a competency restoration program

This bill establishes a competency restoration program within Vermont's Department of Mental Health. It directly affects individuals charged with certain felonies who have been found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial due to a mental illness. The program provides structured treatment and support to help these individuals regain the mental capacity needed to participate in their legal proceedings. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health to operate this program as a formal state service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes competency restoration program for mentally ill defendants, promoting rehabilitation within criminal justice system per reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health program for competency restoration, directly supporting mental health services as defined in topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 547: An act relating to recognition of military protection orders

This bill (H 547) requires Vermont courts to recognize military protective orders as valid evidence in cases involving stalking, sexual assault, or domestic abuse. It directly affects victims of abuse who have obtained military protective orders against military members (including Vermont National Guard members) by allowing those orders and related sworn statements to be used in court proceedings. The key mechanism amends court procedures to explicitly admit military orders and sworn statements (administered by authorized military officials) as evidence to establish patterns of abuse. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is currently before the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRecognizes military protective orders in domestic abuse cases, ensuring victims' safety and access to justice without duplicative legal processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 702: An act relating to criminal trespass and residing on land or premises of another person without authority

H.702, the "Vermont Squatter Reform Act," makes it a felony to enter or reside on someone else's property without permission, with enhanced penalties if property damage exceeds $1,000. It also bans presenting fake lease agreements with false material facts for the purpose of occupying property. The bill expands fast-track court procedures for landlords to remove unlawful occupants who entered without authorization, streamlining eviction processes. This directly affects individuals occupying land or premises without legal right and landlords seeking to evict them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes squatting with felony penalties and fast-track evictions, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens property rights by criminalizing trespass and streamlining evictions for unauthorized occupants, directly addressing a component of housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tenant Rights

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 193: An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

This bill establishes a specialized forensic facility in Vermont for individuals charged with serious offenses (those punishable by life imprisonment) who are found incompetent to stand trial, as well as for people acquitted of such offenses. It requires courts to dismiss inactive misdemeanor cases after a period equal to the maximum sentence (e.g., 120 days) unless justice demands otherwise. The facility mandates regular competency evaluations, provides tailored mental health services to restore trial fitness, and sets strict procedures for conditional release, including a 40-day court hearing for acquitted individuals to prove they no longer pose a risk. The bill aims to streamline court processes for these cases while ensuring appropriate mental health treatment and safety considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes forensic facility with mental health services for incompetent defendants, promoting rehabilitation and competency restoration per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates tailored mental health services at a forensic facility, directly supporting mental health services for a specific population.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 741: An act relating to requiring the court to issue an arrest warrant when a criminal defendant fails to appear in court

H 741 requires Vermont courts to issue an arrest warrant instead of a court notice (citation) when a criminal defendant fails to appear at a scheduled hearing after being released on conditions or issued a citation by law enforcement. This applies specifically to defendants who miss court without a valid reason, directly affecting individuals charged with crimes who skip court dates. The bill changes existing procedures by mandating arrest warrants for these failures, prohibiting courts from issuing new citations to appear, and allowing warrantless arrests for related violations like travel restrictions. It aims to streamline enforcement of court attendance obligations under Vermont law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates arrest warrants for court non-appearance, increasing punitive enforcement over citations, expanding criminalization85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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