An act relating to standards for law enforcement identification

Officers must now display BOTH their name or badge number AND their agency visibly on their person. The introduced version only required name or badge number on the uniform.

A new subsection requires the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to establish a statewide policy governing law enforcement identification standards by January 1, 2027, applicable to all Vermont law enforcement agencies.

The cold-weather mask exception was changed from 'during a declared weather emergency' to a specific standard: between December 1 and April 1 when the National Weather Service forecasts cold at or below -10 degrees Fahrenheit (including wind chill).

A new exception allows officers participating in active undercover investigations relating to child sexual exploitation to use a personal disguise, expanding beyond just drug-related operations.

The penalty was changed from a fine up to $1,000 or loss of professional licensure/certification (or both) to tiered civil penalties: up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $2,500 for second and subsequent offenses. The threat of losing licensure was removed.

A new section amends 4 V.S.A. 1102 to grant the Judicial Bureau jurisdiction over violations of the identification display requirements (subsections c(1) and c(2)).

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2026 to immediate upon passage.

The medical mask exceptions were consolidated: the introduced version listed 'surgical medical grade mask' and 'N95 respirator' as separate items; the Senate version combines them into a single exception for 'an N95 respirator or medical grade mask worn with the intent to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases.'