This bill prohibits civil arrests (arrests for civil matters like court appearances) in specific sensitive locations, including schools, shelters, health care facilities, government buildings, and court proceedings. It directly affects individuals visiting these locations, law enforcement officers, and civil courts by restricting arrests in those settings. Key provisions define "civil arrest" and allow exceptions for judicial warrants, contempt of court, or maintaining safety in court. Violations could lead to contempt charges or civil lawsuits for false imprisonment. The law applies immediately upon passage.
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.
H 786 requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer remote meetings and hearings with Vermont residents applying for U.S. citizenship or visa authorization, upon the resident's request. This bill directly affects Vermont residents navigating immigration processes with DHS. The key provision mandates DHS to provide remote options for these meetings, eliminating the need for in-person attendance if requested by the applicant. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on meeting format changes without altering immigration eligibility or standards.
This bill extends the validity period for Vermont operator’s licenses, privilege cards, and nondriver ID cards from four years to eight years, with a transition period allowing current holders to exchange licenses by July 2029. It establishes reduced fees ($62-$85) for low-income individuals seeking these IDs and requires the Vermont DMV to develop a plan ensuring ID cards display a person’s full legal name and are accessible to unhoused individuals and those without permanent addresses. The DMV must also create outreach programs to inform Vermonters about obtaining these IDs. These changes apply directly to all Vermont residents needing these identification documents for driving or non-driving purposes.
This bill clarifies Vermont's authority to enter federal immigration agreements. It states only the Governor (with the Attorney General's consultation) can authorize such agreements under federal law, except when local law enforcement needs to address immediate public safety threats during emergencies. The law prohibits all other state, county, or municipal agencies from entering these agreements without the Governor's specific approval. It directly affects Vermont's executive branch, law enforcement agencies, and any entity seeking to partner with federal immigration authorities. The change ensures centralized oversight of immigration-related agreements while allowing limited emergency exceptions.
This bill amends Vermont's legislative structure to establish an Office of New Americans Study Committee, not a new agency. It requires the Governor to appoint six committee members, including one New American with lived experience nominated by a specific community organization (e.g., Association of Africans Living in Vermont or Migrant Justice). The committee's purpose is to study issues affecting New Americans in Vermont, with membership directly reflecting input from key immigrant-serving organizations. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on May 21, 2025.
Vermont's Senate passed Resolution SR 13 to formally object to the arrest and detention of Mohsen Mahdawi, a White River Junction resident and U.S. green card holder with a decade-long permanent residency. The resolution demands that U.S. immigration authorities afford Mahdawi due process and release him immediately, citing his arrest while en route to a citizenship interview without explanation. It directs Vermont's Senate Secretary to send the resolution to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, ICE leadership, and Vermont's congressional delegation. As a symbolic resolution, it does not change laws but expresses the state's position on this specific case.
H 169 amends Vermont's anti-discrimination laws to prohibit landlords from requesting Social Security numbers on residential rental applications and requires them to accept all government-issued identification. It also adds "citizenship and immigration status" to the list of protected characteristics in housing and public accommodations, expanding existing protections against discrimination. The bill directly affects landlords, renters, and businesses serving the public by banning specific discriminatory practices in housing applications and services. Key provisions include banning SSN requests for rentals (§ 4456a) and updating definitions to include immigration status in housing (§ 4501, § 4503) and public accommodations (§ 4502). These changes aim to reduce barriers for renters, particularly immigrants and non-citizens, while clarifying prohibited discrimination.
H 399 strengthens tenant protections in Vermont by banning rental application fees and requiring landlords to provide written rental agreements for 12+ month leases. The bill limits no-cause evictions with mandatory notice periods (60-90 days based on how long a tenant has lived there), prohibits charging for background checks, and adds citizenship/immigration status to discrimination protections. It creates a Rental Registry and an Office of Tenant’s Rights Advocate to help tenants navigate disputes. Tenants in Vermont rental housing will directly benefit from these concrete changes to agreements, evictions, and discrimination safeguards.
This bill creates a specific standby guardianship process for children whose custodial parents face "adverse immigration actions" that make them unavailable to care for the child. It amends Vermont law to define "adverse immigration action" (including detention, deportation proceedings, or visa denials by immigration authorities) and requires petitions for standby guardianship to specify the relevant immigration action. The law allows parents facing such actions to formally appoint a temporary guardian in advance, with streamlined notice procedures if the parent is detained. It directly affects children of immigrant parents subject to immigration enforcement and the appointed guardians who would provide care during the parent's absence. The policy change ensures children have a designated guardian during immigration-related custody disruptions without requiring court approval for the guardianship itself.
