Criminal Justice (Corrections)

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

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 264: An act relating to safe storage of firearms

H 264 requires Vermont firearm owners to store guns securely - locked and separate from ammunition - when children or prohibited persons (e.g., those banned by law from owning guns) might access them. It directly affects all gun owners in homes or premises under their control. Key provisions include fines up to $1,000 or jail time for negligence leading to a crime, and up to $5,000 or five years in jail if access causes death or serious injury. Dealers must post mandatory safety signs about risks like accidental child access or suicide. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents gun access by children/prohibited persons, reducing firearm-related crimes - a public safety measure within criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 16, 2025

S 36: An act relating to the delivery and payment of certain services provided through the Agency of Human Services, services for persons who are incapacitated, and Human Services Board proceedings

Bill S 36 amends existing law by replacing the term "public inebriates" with "persons who are incapacitated." It requires the Departments of Health and Mental Health to prioritize expanding services for incapacitated individuals in Chittenden County and report on these efforts by February 2026. The Department of Corrections must also report on efforts to connect incapacitated persons in correctional facilities with substance use recovery providers. Additionally, the bill mandates reports from the Agency of Human Services and the Human Services Board by December 2025. These reports will propose improvements to the Human Services Board's appeal processes, focusing on attorney training, data collection, and making the process more accessible and consistent for appellants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates connecting incapacitated persons in correctional facilities with substance use recovery providers, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates expansion of health services for incapacitated individuals, prioritizes mental health/substance use recovery connections, and requires departmental reporting on service improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse

introduced · Vermont · House Mar 11, 2025

H 456: An act relating to establishing a State-funded and community-based continuum of care for justice-involved individuals

H 456 creates a state-funded community support system for individuals recently released from incarceration or with prior criminal justice involvement who face homelessness or need housing. It allocates $1.3 million for housing grants through Pathways Vermont, $1 million for community housing development (prioritizing Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, disabled, and women), and $1 million for residential treatment of substance use and mental health conditions. Additional funds support recovery services, restorative justice programs, and community-based case management. The bill redirects resources from new prison construction toward housing, health services, and economic opportunities to reduce recidivism. It directly affects justice-involved individuals experiencing housing instability or needing health support upon release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $3.3M for housing, mental health, and substance use treatment for justice-involved individuals to reduce recidivism and support reentry, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $1M for residential mental health treatment, directly supporting healthcare services as per topic description.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $1.3M for housing grants and $1M for community housing development prioritizing marginalized groups, directly funding housing solutions for justice-involved individuals facing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness Property Development

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 3, 2025

S 140: An act relating to implementing second look sentencing and compassionate release

This bill creates a "second look" process allowing Vermont courts to review long-term sentences for incarcerated individuals who have served at least 10 years or 50% of a sentence (if at least five years total). It also establishes compassionate release for inmates aged 65+ with serious medical needs, those with terminal/incurable conditions, or those with debilitating health issues who pose no public safety risk. The Department of Corrections must notify eligible inmates and provide petition forms after 40% of their sentence is served, and courts must hold hearings within 45 days if eligibility criteria are met. Petitions require specific documentation and cannot be filed more frequently than every two years after a denial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates second look sentencing and compassionate release for eligible inmates, reducing long-term incarceration and promoting rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 186: An act relating to removal of court discretion in sentencing a defendant for selling or dispensing a regulated drug with death resulting

H.186 would require courts to impose a minimum two-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of selling or dispensing a regulated drug that causes a death, removing the judge's current ability to sentence below that term if they determine it serves "the interests of justice." This bill directly affects defendants in drug-related homicide cases where the death resulted from the sale or distribution of a regulated substance. The key provision eliminates judicial discretion in sentencing for these specific offenses, mandating the two-year minimum term without exception. The bill is currently under review by Vermont's Judiciary Committee after its initial introduction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates minimum sentences, removing judicial discretion in drug homicide cases, increasing mandatory penalties per bill's explicit language95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 191: An act relating to prohibiting the use of private and for-profit correctional facilities

H.191 prohibits Vermont from housing incarcerated people in private or for-profit correctional facilities, both within the state and out-of-state, by 2034. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to stop contracting with private entities for housing or services by January 2030 and to develop an implementation plan by November 2025 to return inmates currently held out-of-state to Vermont facilities. It allows exceptions only for facilities operated by public or nonprofit entities under interstate compacts or federal contracts. This directly affects Vermont’s Department of Corrections, current inmates in out-of-state facilities, and private prison companies with state contracts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill bans for-profit correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by promoting public oversight, reducing profit-driven incarceration, and enhancing accountability in corrections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 380: An act relating to creating a felony penalty for a violation of conditions of release and to staff the pretrial supervision program

H 380 proposes two key changes to Vermont's criminal justice system. It upgrades penalties for violating release conditions (like missing court appearances) from misdemeanors to felonies, with maximum penalties of up to 3 years in prison or $5,000 fines. The bill also directs the Department of Corrections to hire 12 new Pretrial Supervision Officers and 2 administrative staff by fiscal year 2026 to fully staff the pretrial supervision program. These changes directly affect individuals released under court supervision and the Department of Corrections, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades release violation penalties to felony (increases criminalization), overriding pretrial staffing provision as primary intent90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 61: An act relating to automatic opening knives

This bill (S 61) would remove criminal penalties for possessing, selling, or offering for sale automatic opening knives (like switchblades) with blades three inches or longer. It directly affects individuals who own or sell these knives, eliminating the current penalty of up to 90 days in jail or a $100 fine. The key provision amends Vermont law (13 V.S.A. § 4013) to delete the criminal penalties for these specific knives. The bill is pending referral to the Judiciary Committee after its first reading on February 11, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for knife possession, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with justice reform goals of minimizing punitive measures for non-violent items.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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