Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 590: An act relating to prohibiting detention and incarceration of minors under 18 years of age in adult correctional facilities

This bill prohibits detaining or incarcerating minors under 18 in adult correctional facilities, except in limited cases where a minor is charged with a crime punishable by life imprisonment and the court determines public safety requires it. It applies to all minors involved in delinquency proceedings - both before and after a court adjudicates them as delinquent. Key provisions require immediate transfer of minors to juvenile facilities if mistakenly placed in adult facilities, mandate court findings for secure facility placement, and establish a process for independent review of prolonged detentions. The bill directly affects minors, juvenile justice agencies, and adult correctional facilities in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits minors under 18 in adult facilities, promoting juvenile justice reform and rehabilitation, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

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

Track

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

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 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

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 258: An act relating to law enforcement interrogation policies

H 258 prohibits law enforcement from using deception, threats, or physical harm during custodial interrogations of individuals under 22 years old. It requires notifying and contacting a juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian before any such interrogation. The bill also mandates the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to create statewide interrogation standards, including requiring electronic recording of most custodial interrogations in detention (with limited exceptions like emergencies). These changes aim to prevent false confessions and improve community trust in law enforcement practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits coercion in juvenile interrogations, mandates parent notification, and requires electronic recording - aligning with civil rights protection and police accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 20, 2025

H 299: An act relating to prohibiting the transfer of Family Court cases to criminal court when the offender is a victim of human trafficking

Vermont's H 299 prevents Family Court cases from being transferred to criminal court when the person involved is a child or youth victim of human trafficking. The bill requires Family Court to retain jurisdiction over such cases if the court finds clear evidence the child was a victim of human trafficking, sexual assault, or related crimes defined in state law. Key provisions mandate that courts hold hearings to verify victim status and explicitly prohibit transferring cases involving these specific offenses. This directly affects minors in Family Court proceedings who are identified as trafficking victims, keeping their cases in the juvenile justice system. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminal court transfer for trafficking victims, keeping cases in Family Court for victim-centered handling, aligning with criminal justice reform by avoiding punitive measures against victims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

Track