An act relating to creating municipal and regional civilian oversight of law enforcement

S 97 creates municipal and regional civilian oversight boards to handle complaints against local law enforcement agencies and officers in Vermont. These boards will independently investigate complaints (in addition to agency investigations), publish public reports, and make recommendations on disciplinary actions for the Vermont Criminal Justice Council to consider. The law mandates that agencies must report certain serious complaints to the oversight boards within seven business days and requires the Council to give deference to the boards' recommendations. The bill also establishes a $500,000 grant program to help municipalities implement these oversight structures. This affects all municipal police departments, sheriff's offices, and regional law enforcement agencies covered by the law.