Criminal Justice (Corrections)

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 754: An act relating to repeat violent offenders, assaults against a protected professional, and victim input on plea agreements

H.754 establishes stricter penalties for repeat violent offenders, requiring a mandatory minimum three-year prison term (with no parole or early release) for a third felony crime of violence conviction. It increases penalties for assaults against protected professionals (including police, firefighters, healthcare workers, and emergency personnel), with second offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison and aggravated assaults up to seven years. The bill also mandates that victims be notified and allowed to speak at plea hearings or sentencing regarding their views on the crime and restitution. These provisions directly affect defendants convicted of violent crimes, protected professionals, and victims in Vermont criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 3-year mandatory prison terms for repeat violent offenders and increases penalties for assaults on protected professionals, expanding punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Victims' Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 683: An act relating to public nudity

This bill prohibits exposing pubic areas, genitals, or buttocks in public places where others can see, with penalties of up to six months in jail or a $500 fine. It directly affects anyone in public spaces, including private property visible to public areas like sidewalks. Key provisions include exceptions for designated changing areas and granting local municipalities authority to create ordinances or issue permits for designated nude areas or events. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes public nudity with jail/fine penalties, expanding criminalization under criminal justice laws without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 780: An act relating to establishing mandatory minimum sentences of incarceration for retail theft and drug trafficking

H.780 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat retail theft and specific drug trafficking offenses. For retail theft, it requires at least six months of consecutive prison time for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $250 value) and 12 months for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $900 value), with no suspension allowed. For drug trafficking (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, or methamphetamine), it mandates at least 12 months of consecutive prison time for trafficking offenses, increasing to 24 months if the trafficking causes death or serious injury. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific repeat or serious offenses, removing judicial discretion to reduce the minimum prison time for these cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory minimums for retail theft/drug trafficking with no judicial discretion, increasing incarceration and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 637: An act relating to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substances

This Vermont bill (H 637) amends laws governing driving under the influence (DUI) by clarifying that "under the influence of a drug" means any slight impairment of driving ability from drugs (not just alcohol), per Section 1201. It updates testing procedures, requiring blood or saliva samples when breath tests aren't feasible or when drugs (not alcohol) are suspected, while preserving rights to challenge warrants (Section 1202). For penalties, it increases mandatory minimum jail time for repeat offenses: 80 hours for a second offense, 96 hours for a third, and 192 hours for a fourth or subsequent offense, with no suspension allowed except under specific court findings (Section 1210). The bill directly affects drivers suspected of DUI involving drugs or alcohol, focusing on clearer definitions, testing protocols, and stricter penalties for repeat violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum jail time for repeat DUI offenses, aligning with tough-on-crime sentencing policies rather than reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

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passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 20, 2026

S 203: An act relating to penalties for second or subsequent violations of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs

This bill clarifies the timeframe for counting prior DUI convictions to determine enhanced penalties. It specifies that a second or subsequent DUI offense penalty applies when a person has been convicted of a prior violation within the 20 years *before the date of the current violation*, not the conviction date for the current offense. This directly affects drivers convicted of repeat operating under the influence (OUI) offenses in Vermont. The change ensures penalties for second offenses (fines up to $1,500, mandatory community service or 80 hours in jail) are applied consistently based on the violation timeline.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for repeat DUI offenses by clarifying prior convictions within 20 years count, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 284: An act relating to possessing and dispensing regulated drugs

This bill establishes the Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board to determine "benchmark personal use supply" limits for each regulated drug (like cannabis), aiming to reduce criminal penalties for personal use. It lowers penalties for low-level drug possession offenses to a maximum $500 fine or six months in jail (instead of felony charges) and reclassifies some drug possession violations from felonies to misdemeanors. The bill eliminates the crime of dispensing regulated drugs, except when dispensing to someone under 21 (which remains a five-year felony). For cannabis specifically, it sets civil penalties for small amounts (e.g., up to $100 for first offense) and requires court diversion for first-time possession over certain limits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies drug possession felonies to misdemeanors, lowers penalties to $500 fine/6 months jail, and reduces criminalization of personal drug use - direct criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Drug Policy

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 763: An act relating to how to count certain offenders for the purpose of periodic reapportionment of districts for the General Assembly

H 763 (Vermont House Bill) changes how incarcerated individuals are counted for redistricting. It requires Vermont’s Department of Corrections to track offenders’ pre-incarceration addresses and share this data with the Legislative Apportionment Board before each census. The Board must then adjust population counts so that incarcerated people are counted at their home address (not the prison location) when redrawing voting districts for the state legislature. This applies to all offenders except those serving life sentences without parole, who remain counted at the prison location. The bill aims to ensure districts reflect where people actually live, not where they are imprisoned.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill changes redistricting to count incarcerated people at home addresses, reducing prison-based gerrymandering - a criminal justice reform promoting fair representation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 528: An act relating to improper disposal of a hypodermic needle or syringe in a sensitive area

H 528 makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly or recklessly discard used hypodermic needles or syringes in sensitive areas like playgrounds, parks, childcare facilities, schools, or public parks. It directly affects individuals who improperly dispose of such items in these locations, with penalties of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law explicitly excludes proper medical waste disposal from healthcare services or educational use at schools and childcare centers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor offense for improper needle disposal, expanding criminalization without reform elements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 564: An act relating to compensation for wrongful convictions

This bill establishes a clear right for individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for at least six months to seek compensation from the state if later exonerated (e.g., through conviction reversal, dismissal, acquittal, or pardon), regardless of the exoneration method. To qualify, claimants must prove actual innocence (without fabricating evidence or committing perjury) and meet specific procedural requirements. Compensation includes $30,000-$60,000 per year of wrongful incarceration, plus lost wages, defense costs, up to 10 years of state-funded health coverage, and reintegration services. Courts must provide notice of this right to exonerees, and claims must be filed within three years of exoneration, with limited exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes state compensation for wrongful convictions, advancing accountability and civil rights in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2026

H 628: An act relating to domestic abuse orders of protection

This bill (H.628) amends Vermont's domestic abuse protection laws to allow courts to issue orders requiring defendants under Department of Corrections supervision - convicted of specific violent crimes like domestic assault or sexual assault - to continue paying household bills they were responsible for at the time the plaintiff requested the order. It directly affects domestic abuse victims (plaintiffs) and defendants in correctional supervision who have committed certain violent offenses. The key provision adds a requirement for defendants to cover household expenses for up to three months, in addition to standard protective measures like restraining orders or housing awards. This change ensures financial stability for victims during the protection process without altering existing legal standards for abuse claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates defendants under correctional supervision for violent domestic crimes to continue household bill payments, enhancing victim financial security within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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