Criminal Justice

signed · Vermont · Senate May 7, 2026

S 181: An act relating to eliminating the requirement for a presentence investigation for imposition of a deferred sentence

This bill (S.181) eliminates the requirement for a presentence investigation report to be filed before a Vermont court can impose a deferred sentence. It directly affects defendants eligible for deferred sentencing under Vermont law, removing a procedural step that currently must be completed before a judge can place someone on probation instead of imposing an immediate sentence. The amendment revises 13 V.S.A. § 7041 to remove the requirement for the court to order a presentence investigation, while maintaining other conditions like victim impact statements and court review of available information. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to certain serious sex offenses against children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves procedural barrier for deferred sentencing, enabling more rehabilitative probation options instead of immediate incarceration, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Probation & Parole

passed · Vermont · House Mar 10, 2026

H 566: An act relating to sealing post-charge court diversion records upon successful completion

H 566 (Vermont) changes how court diversion records are handled for people who successfully complete adult or juvenile diversion programs. Instead of automatically expunging (erasing) these records, the bill requires courts to seal (confidentially restrict access to) records 30 days after the two-year anniversary of program completion, provided the participant has no new convictions, owes no restitution, and meets other specified conditions. The bill also expands the Adult Diversion Program to include municipal violations, such as traffic offenses. This policy change directly affects individuals who complete diversion programs by making their records confidential after meeting the requirements, improving access to opportunities like housing or employment that might otherwise be denied due to past records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seals diversion records post-completion, reducing conviction stigma and aiding rehabilitation - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and improving reentry.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 540: An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

H 540 adopts recommendations from Vermont's Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group to create a structured alternative to traditional sentencing for certain nonviolent offenses. The bill allows courts to refer nonviolent felony, misdemeanor, or nonviolent misdemeanor offenders (who pled guilty) to community reparative boards instead of probation, requiring the offender to complete the program or return to court for further sentencing. Key provisions include mandatory court consideration of victim input, community impact, offender willingness, and standardized referral forms for all courts. This directly affects nonviolent offenders and community reparative boards, shifting focus toward restorative practices rather than standard probation. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes community reparative boards as alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenses, promoting rehabilitation over probation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 592: An act relating to the appointment of legal counsel and record keeping in civil forfeiture actions

This bill requires public defenders to represent low-income individuals in specific civil forfeiture cases, such as property seizures related to alcohol, drug offenses, or big game violations. It mandates that law enforcement and courts maintain detailed records of seized property - including its description, value, and disposition - and provide notice of the right to counsel. The law applies to cases under statutes covering livestock products, alcohol, wildlife violations, controlled substances, and vehicles. These provisions aim to ensure transparency in property seizures and access to legal representation for vulnerable individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public defenders for low-income in civil forfeiture cases, protecting defendant rights and enhancing transparency in property seizure cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 256: An act relating to voyeurism and disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent

This Vermont bill (S.256) criminalizes threatening to disclose intimate images without consent to coerce someone into producing more images, engaging in sexual conduct, or providing something of value. It also expands existing voyeurism laws to cover non-consensual disclosure of images showing a person nude or engaged in sexual conduct, extending criminal statute of limitations for such acts and eliminating it for civil lawsuits. Victims can now seek damages for harm caused by intentional disclosure of their intimate images, including recovery for trauma-related disorders. The law directly affects individuals whose private images are exploited and those who threaten or disclose such images without consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal penalties for non-consensual image disclosure and enhances victim protections under criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections by criminalizing non-consensual disclosure of intimate images, directly aligning with data privacy focus of the topic.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 747: An act relating to standards for law enforcement identification

H.747, the "No Secret Police Act," requires all Vermont local, state, and federal law enforcement officers to visibly display their agency name and either their name or badge number during public interactions. It prohibits wearing masks or disguises that conceal identity, except for specific safety-related exceptions like medical masks, fire operations, or declared weather emergencies. Law enforcement agencies must create and publicly post written policies ensuring compliance with these identification standards. The bill aims to promote transparency and trust between officers and the public during routine engagements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible officer identification during public interactions, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement per 'No Secret Police Act' provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 765: An act relating to qualified mental health professionals

H.765 expands Vermont's definition of "qualified mental health professional" to include licensed clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychoanalysts, and other specific licensed practitioners (such as advanced practice nurses and psychologists), removing the prior requirement that they must be employed by designated agencies. This directly affects mental health providers who can now qualify under the law for roles like emergency examinations and court testimony. The bill modifies statutes to allow these expanded professionals to perform duties previously restricted to a narrower group, such as applying for emergency warrants and providing expert testimony. It does not change eligibility for patient services but broadens who can provide certain legally defined mental health services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands access to mental health professionals for court testimony and emergency exams, enabling rehabilitation-focused approaches in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health provider access by removing agency employment requirement, enabling more practitioners to provide critical services like emergency exams and court testimony.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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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 29, 2026

H 828: An act relating to banning the transfer of military-grade weapons to State, county, and local law enforcement agencies

This bill prohibits Vermont's state, county, and local law enforcement agencies from receiving military-grade weapons transferred from the U.S. Department of Defense, military branches, or other federal agencies. It directly affects all Vermont law enforcement entities by blocking these specific federal transfers. The key mechanism is a clear ban on accepting such weapons from federal sources, preventing their acquisition through existing federal programs. The bill does not address weapons already in possession by law enforcement or restrict local purchases. It focuses solely on halting new transfers of military-grade equipment from federal entities to Vermont agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans military-grade weapons transfers to law enforcement, reducing militarization and promoting accountability in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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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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