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

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 781: An act relating to filing certain juvenile offenses in the Criminal Division

This bill changes Vermont's juvenile justice process by requiring certain serious offenses committed by juveniles (aged 14-22) to be filed in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It specifically applies to: (1) violating release conditions for prior serious offenses; (2) using firearms during felonies; (3) drug trafficking; and (4) aggravated stalking. The State’s Attorney may still choose to file such cases as "youthful offender" petitions in the Family Division. This shift aims to handle these specific offenses through criminal court procedures rather than juvenile court, while allowing limited transfer options between divisions under defined conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts serious juvenile cases to Criminal Division (more punitive) vs. Family Division (rehabilitative), increasing criminalization for offenses like drug trafficking and firearm use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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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

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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

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 721: An act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures, and forensic facilities for criminal justice-involved individuals

This bill changes how Vermont handles juvenile criminal cases by moving certain serious offenses to the Criminal Division of Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It applies to juveniles aged 14-22 for specific crimes like firearm use during felony, drug trafficking, or aggravated stalking (as listed in sections 5201(c)(3) and 5204(a)). Key provisions include prohibiting suspended sentences for repeat offenders with prior escape convictions or three felony convictions, requiring written court findings for deferred sentences, and creating a new forensic facility for certain offenders. The bill also repeals "Raise the Age" protections for 19-year-olds and establishes stricter rules for sentencing and case transfers.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill moves serious juvenile offenses to criminal court and prohibits suspended sentences for repeat offenders, increasing mandatory sentencing and reducing judicial discretion for specific cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 186: An act relating to jurisdiction of the Criminal Division over plea agreements in proceedings related to juvenile offenders

S.186 allows juvenile offenders (under 20) in certain criminal cases to choose whether to enter a plea agreement in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. This applies when the offense charged is not specified in existing law (subsections 5204(a), 5201(c)(2), or (3)), giving juveniles a direct option to handle their case in Criminal Division. The bill amends Vermont statutes §5201 and §5203 to establish this election process, requiring the Criminal Division to retain jurisdiction if the juvenile chooses this path. It directly affects minors under 20 facing specific non-specified offenses who would otherwise be transferred to Family Division proceedings. The change takes effect immediately for sections 1-2 and July 2, 2027, for sections 3-4.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows juveniles to opt into Criminal Division (adult system) instead of Family Division, weakening juvenile protections and opposing reform trends in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 16, 2026

S 272: An act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures, and forensic facilities for criminal justice-involved individuals

This bill shifts certain juvenile cases to criminal court, requiring that offenses like firearm use, drug trafficking, or aggravated stalking committed by youth aged 14-22 begin in the Criminal Division instead of the Family Division. It restricts judges from suspending or deferring sentences for repeat offenders (e.g., those with prior escape convictions or three+ felony convictions), mandating written findings if such sentences are granted. The bill also changes how recidivism is calculated, establishes a classification system for repeat violent offenders, and creates a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved individuals. These changes primarily affect juvenile offenders aged 14-22 and repeat offenders with specific prior convictions, altering court jurisdiction and sentencing options.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeShifts juvenile cases to criminal court, mandates sentences for repeat offenders, restricts judicial discretion - increases punitive measures per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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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

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 27, 2025

H 411: An act relating to public safety

H 411 updates Vermont's public safety laws with several key changes. It extends extradition timelines to 120 days for individuals violating bail, probation, or parole in another state, and mandates a minimum five-year prison sentence for high-risk sex offenders who fail to comply with registry requirements. The bill restricts judges from using alternative sentences for repeat offenders or those violating probation without written justification, and changes the process for sealing criminal records to make sealing standard for most completed sentences with limited access for criminal justice and licensing purposes. Additionally, it transfers juvenile case jurisdiction for certain offenses from the Family Division to the Criminal Division and repeals a law that had raised the age of juvenile jurisdiction to 19.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 5-year sentences for sex offenders, restricts judicial alternatives for repeat offenders, and tightens record sealing - increasing penalties and limiting judicial discretion per reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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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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