An act relating to crime victim’s rights in competency discharge proceedings
This bill requires mental health officials to notify crime victims at least 10 days before discharging someone committed after being found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. Victims can then request a court hearing within 10 days to share their views on the discharge, which would pause the release until the hearing concludes. The court must issue its decision within 15 days after the hearing. This applies to all cases where the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial, including those where the criminal case remains pending.
Bill status
introduced
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 6, 2026
Last action Jan 6, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 6, 2026
Introduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about H 544
Scope: VT
Hi! I can help you understand H 544. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline