S.302 prohibits Vermont public agencies from collecting or disclosing certain personally identifying information, including immigration status and religious affiliation, unless required by federal law. It specifically bans using state resources to assist federal registration programs based on such data and requires agencies continuing to collect immigration information to explain why by December 2026. The bill affects all state and local government entities, including police, schools, and social services, by restricting how they handle sensitive personal data. It includes exceptions for compliance with federal laws like 8 U.S.C. §§ 1373 and 1644, and permits sharing aggregated, non-identifiable data. The law takes effect upon passage.
This bill requires mental health officials to notify crime victims at least 10 days before discharging someone committed after being found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. Victims can then request a court hearing within 10 days to share their views on the discharge, which would pause the release until the hearing concludes. The court must issue its decision within 15 days after the hearing. This applies to all cases where the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial, including those where the criminal case remains pending.
This bill establishes a clear right for individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for at least six months to seek compensation from the state if later exonerated (e.g., through conviction reversal, dismissal, acquittal, or pardon), regardless of the exoneration method. To qualify, claimants must prove actual innocence (without fabricating evidence or committing perjury) and meet specific procedural requirements. Compensation includes $30,000-$60,000 per year of wrongful incarceration, plus lost wages, defense costs, up to 10 years of state-funded health coverage, and reintegration services. Courts must provide notice of this right to exonerees, and claims must be filed within three years of exoneration, with limited exceptions.
This bill (H.628) amends Vermont's domestic abuse protection laws to allow courts to issue orders requiring defendants under Department of Corrections supervision - convicted of specific violent crimes like domestic assault or sexual assault - to continue paying household bills they were responsible for at the time the plaintiff requested the order. It directly affects domestic abuse victims (plaintiffs) and defendants in correctional supervision who have committed certain violent offenses. The key provision adds a requirement for defendants to cover household expenses for up to three months, in addition to standard protective measures like restraining orders or housing awards. This change ensures financial stability for victims during the protection process without altering existing legal standards for abuse claims.
This bill (H.744) requires law enforcement officers making warrantless arrests to include specific details in their written statements to judges. Specifically, officers must state the crime they intend to charge and any requested bail or release conditions the prosecutor is seeking. This applies when officers seek a judge's immediate decision on temporary release after an arrest without a warrant. The change aims to provide judges with clearer information upfront to make release decisions, affecting both arresting officers and judicial officers reviewing cases.
This bill raises Vermont's minimum age for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 10 to 12 years old. It also increases the age threshold for transferring youth to adult court from 19 to 20 years old, meaning youth aged 16-17 committing offenses will now remain in juvenile court until age 21 (previously 20), and those aged 18 will stay until age 22 (previously 21). The law directly affects youth aged 12-20 involved in delinquency cases, keeping them in the juvenile justice system longer. Implementation requires the Agency of Human Services to report progress on facility and program expansions by 2026, with full implementation effective July 1, 2027.
H.409 updates Vermont's bail revocation rules to align with court rulings like *State v. Sauve*. It clarifies when a defendant’s bail can be revoked - such as repeated failures to appear in court or violating release conditions that disrupt prosecutions - and requires courts to find a "compelling State interest" before revoking bail. Prosecutors must prove violations by a "preponderance of evidence" (more likely than not), and courts must schedule a trial within 60 days of revocation if the defendant remains jailed. This directly affects defendants on pretrial release, prosecutors seeking revocation, and courts managing bail hearings.
H.382, the Vermont Justice Transparency Act, requires Vermont's Judiciary, crime information center, state's attorneys, sheriffs, and corrections department to collect and publicly post detailed criminal justice data. It mandates reporting on demographics (age, race, gender), case specifics (bail amounts, sentencing, plea deals), and system metrics (solitary confinement, opioid treatment in prisons, recidivism) starting between 2026 and 2028. The data must include county-level details and be posted online in accessible formats for public review. This law directly affects state agencies responsible for data collection and provides transparency for Vermont residents regarding criminal justice outcomes.
H 350 removes criminal penalties for possessing, selling, or offering for sale automatic opening knives (like switchblades) with blades three inches or longer. Currently, Vermont law imposes fines up to $100 or up to 90 days in jail for these items under 13 V.S.A. § 4013. The bill amends this statute to eliminate those penalties entirely. It is pending before the Judiciary Committee after its first reading on February 25, 2025.
This bill prohibits discrimination based on criminal history in employment and housing across Vermont. It adds "criminal history" to Vermont's existing anti-discrimination laws, meaning employers cannot refuse to hire or landlords cannot deny housing solely due to an individual's criminal record. The law includes exceptions for jobs where federal or state law mandates disqualification (e.g., for certain crimes in childcare roles) or for positions substantially related to the offense. It also defines "criminal history" broadly to cover all contact with the criminal justice system, including arrests and court dispositions.
