Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 176: An act relating to developing the Department of Corrections’ community restitution program

H 176 requires Vermont's Department of Corrections to reinstate its community work program (called "work crew") by July 1, 2025, after it was discontinued in 2023. The bill mandates reinstating prior policies and sets minimum requirements: offenders must be assigned at least 20 work crew days per court order, or 60 days total across multiple orders. This directly affects individuals sentenced to community restitution and the Department of Corrections, which must implement the program by the deadline. The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReinstates community restitution program requiring work crew days, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration - aligns with reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2025

H 59: An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington

This bill approves amendments to the City of Burlington's charter that reform police oversight. It directly affects the Burlington Police Department, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Chief of Police by: (1) allowing the Board and Chief to jointly propose department rules; (2) giving the Board sole authority to review all misconduct allegations and conduct independent investigations; and (3) enabling the Board to request an independent panel to resolve disagreements with the Chief over misconduct outcomes. These changes, approved by Burlington voters in November 2024, aim to strengthen civilian oversight of police conduct through clearer procedures and independent review processes. The bill does not change police staffing or funding but modifies how misconduct reviews and rule-making are handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill H 59 enhances police accountability by granting Board sole authority to review misconduct and conduct investigations, directly advancing criminal justice reform through strengthened oversight mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 64: An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault

H 64 creates a process for victims of sexual assault to obtain emergency protective orders outside regular court hours, weekends, and holidays. It requires the Court Administrator to establish procedures where an authorized person can receive requests (including electronically), administer a sworn statement over the phone, and relay the case to a judicial officer for a decision. This directly affects individuals seeking immediate protection from sexual assault when courts are closed. The judicial officer decides solely based on the submitted information, and if approved, the order is delivered to law enforcement for service. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates emergency court access for sexual assault victims, improving victim protection and access to justice within criminal court procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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passed · Vermont · House Feb 6, 2026

H 5: An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

H.5 amends Vermont's evidence rules to allow statements made by children aged 12-15 who are victims of specific abuse crimes (like sexual assault, cruelty, or exploitation) to be used as evidence in court. The bill requires courts to verify that such statements are trustworthy, made before legal proceedings began, and not prepared for trial. It directly affects child victims in criminal, civil, or juvenile cases involving listed abuse offenses under Vermont law. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies only to cases where the child’s statements relate to the alleged abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables use of child victims' statements in abuse cases, strengthening prosecution of sexual assault/cruelty crimes under Vermont law while requiring trustworthiness verification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 30, 2025

H 118: An act relating to expanding the scope of hate-motivated crimes

H.118 expands the scope of hate-motivated crimes in Vermont by amending existing law. This bill specifies that a person who commits a crime motivated, in whole or in part, by another person's or a group of persons' actual or perceived membership in a protected category will face enhanced penalties. The penalties vary based on the severity of the underlying crime, with courts considering motivation as a sentencing factor for more serious offenses. "Protected category" includes characteristics like race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands hate crime penalties, enhancing protection for victims of bias-motivated crimes. Aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and increasing accountability for hate-motivated offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 18: An act relating to decriminalizing nonmoving DLS violations for third-time offenders

H.18 would reclassify third-time nonmoving license violations (such as parking tickets) as civil offenses instead of criminal ones for drivers with suspended licenses. Specifically, it changes penalties for individuals who operate a vehicle with a suspended license after their third nonmoving violation within a two-year period, shifting from potential jail time or large fines to civil penalties like fines and community service. This applies only to nonmoving violations (not moving traffic offenses like speeding), affecting repeat offenders who commit nonmoving violations after multiple license suspensions. The bill, if passed, would take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies minor traffic violations from criminal to civil penalties, reducing unnecessary criminal records and aligning with criminal justice reform principles by minimizing over-criminalization of non-serious offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 171: An act relating to criminal justice agency protocols for an officer-involved shooting

This Vermont bill (H 171) requires the Attorney General to investigate any law enforcement officer who unholsters a firearm during official duties. It mandates that such investigations be completed within 90 days (with exceptions for cases involving multiple injuries), and the Attorney General must provide a written report to both the officer and their agency. The report must detail facts, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations about potential criminal charges or policy changes. The bill also requires the Attorney General to create implementing rules by July 2025, including public access to investigation procedures. It directly affects law enforcement officers, their agencies, and the Attorney General's office.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates Attorney General investigations into officer firearm use with 90-day deadlines and written reports, enhancing police accountability and transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 26, 2025

H 361: An act relating to creating municipal and regional civilian oversight of law enforcement

This bill creates local civilian oversight boards in Vermont municipalities and regions to investigate complaints against police officers and agencies. These boards, which can be appointed or elected, receive complaints, conduct investigations (in addition to agency reviews), and issue public reports with recommendations that the Vermont Criminal Justice Council must consider. The bill specifically bans chokehold training except for prevention and requires law enforcement agencies to report serious incidents like officer-involved deaths to these boards within 10 business days. It directly affects all Vermont police departments, officers, and the Criminal Justice Council, which must follow board recommendations on officer discipline.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civilian oversight boards for police accountability, bans chokeholds, mandates reporting - directly advancing criminal justice reform through enhanced law enforcement oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 29, 2025

H 123: An act relating to driving while ability impaired

This bill proposes creating a new civil violation for driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between 0.06 and 0.079, distinct from existing DUI laws that begin at 0.08 BAC. It would apply to drivers whose BAC falls in this range, subjecting them to a civil penalty of up to $500 and license suspension (similar to DUI penalties) but without creating a criminal record. The bill amends Vermont law to define "impaired by alcohol" as BAC 0.06-0.079 under Section 1201(a)(4), separating this offense from criminal DUI charges. This change aims to address lower-level impairment without triggering criminal consequences. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil penalty (not criminal) for BAC 0.06-0.079, avoiding criminal records - aligns with reform goals to reduce unnecessary criminalization.85% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 200: An act relating to persons prohibited from possessing firearms

H 200 prohibits Vermont residents found by a court to pose a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness from possessing firearms. This new rule applies to individuals under specific court orders for mental health treatment or hospitalization, aligning Vermont law with federal standards. The bill also increases penalties for second or subsequent offenses of firearm possession by prohibited persons, raising the maximum penalty to three years in jail or a $5,000 fine. It does not change existing prohibitions for other reasons, such as violent crime convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for high-risk individuals (mental health court orders) and increases penalties for violations, aligning with federal standards to prevent gun violence, a key criminal justice reform goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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