Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 628: An act relating to domestic abuse orders of protection

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates defendants under correctional supervision for violent domestic crimes to continue household bill payments, enhancing victim financial security within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 744: An act relating to procedures for release after arrest

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrantless arrest details for judges' release decisions, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement

signed · Vermont · House Apr 2, 2025

H 2: An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises juvenile age thresholds to keep youth in rehabilitation-focused system longer, reducing adult court exposure and aligning with reform goals to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

passed · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 409: An act relating to appeals of orders denying bail revocation

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires 'compelling State interest' and 'preponderance of evidence' for bail revocation, protecting defendant rights and aligning with court rulings to prevent arbitrary detention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 382: An act relating to data collection in the criminal justice system

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public data collection on demographics, sentencing, and recidivism to enhance transparency and inform criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 25, 2025

H 350: An act relating to automatic opening knives

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for non-violent knife possession, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with reform goals to limit over-policing of minor offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 201: An act relating to prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s criminal history

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal history discrimination in employment/housing, reducing reintegration barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on criminal history, directly protecting tenant rights and expanding housing access for individuals with records.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits employment discrimination based on criminal history, protecting workers' rights and strengthening hiring standards by preventing unfair exclusion from jobs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 28, 2025

H 436: An act relating to establishing reentry facilities for persons under the custody of the Commissioner of Corrections

H 436 establishes a new system for Vermont's Department of Corrections to create reentry facilities for low-risk individuals transitioning from incarceration. The bill requires the Department to assess and place eligible people (including those awaiting trial) in these facilities based on evidence-based risk evaluations, providing transitional services like housing assistance, mental health care, and job training. It mandates annual reports tracking facility use, security levels, and services provided. The policy directly affects low-risk inmates and pretrial detainees, aiming to improve community reintegration while prioritizing public safety through structured, less restrictive housing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes evidence-based reentry facilities with housing, mental health, and job training to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation for low-risk individuals transitioning from incarceration.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes mental health care as a required transitional service in reentry facilities, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates job training as a transitional service for reentry, directly supporting employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Mental Health Workforce Development

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signed · Vermont · House May 12, 2026

H 410: An act relating to the calculation of recidivism and other related criminology measures

This bill redefines how Vermont calculates recidivism - reoffending after a criminal conviction - by creating a four-tier classification system based on the time between offenses. It establishes categories where offenders are classified as "Class 1" (reoffending after 1+ year), "Class 2" (3+ years), "Class 3" (5+ years), or "Class 4" (10+ years) after release. The Department of Corrections must use this system to track repeat offenders, including those convicted of violent crimes, and report recidivism rates. This directly affects the state’s corrections system and individuals who reoffend, but does not change sentencing laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes tiered recidivism tracking to improve offender classification and reporting, enabling data-driven rehabilitation strategies and aligning with reform goals like reducing repeat offenses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 28, 2025

H 108: An act relating to filial support

This bill would remove criminal penalties for adult children who fail to support their destitute parents in Vermont. Currently, adult children who refuse to provide financial support to a parent unable to support themselves (and living in Vermont) could face up to two years in jail or a $300 fine. The bill specifically repeals these criminal penalties under Vermont law but does not change the underlying obligation for adult children to support parents in need. It directly affects Vermont residents who are adult children and parents in destitute circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for filial support non-compliance, decriminalizing a civil matter and reducing unnecessary incarceration in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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