An act relating to sealing eviction records

This bill requires courts in Vermont to automatically seal all eviction records, treating them as if the eviction never occurred for most purposes. The law prohibits landlords, employers, and other entities from using sealed eviction records when screening applicants for housing, credit, or employment, with limited exceptions for judgments involving nonpayment of rent or lease breaches that remain unsealed for up to three years. Landlords and tenants may agree to keep records sealed even after a judgment, and courts must provide access to sealed records only to parties involved in the case, their attorneys, legal aid organizations, or those with specific court orders. Existing eviction records currently on file must be sealed by June 30, 2024, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2024.