Criminal Justice (Corrections)

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2026

H 872: An act relating to enhancing criminal sentences for violent offenders

H.872 mandates minimum prison sentences for repeat violent offenders in Vermont. It requires a minimum sentence of half the maximum term (up to life) for anyone convicted of a third violent felony - defined as a felony with violence against a person - after two prior such convictions. The bill prohibits suspended sentences, probation, parole, or early release for the first three years of this mandatory term. It also amends sentencing rules to ban suspended sentences for all violent felony convictions, not just repeat offenders. This bill directly affects individuals with multiple violent felony convictions, changing their sentencing outcomes under Vermont law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum sentences for repeat violent offenders and prohibits probation/parole, increasing punitive measures. This aligns with indicators of opposing criminal justice reform by restricting defendant rights and expanding mandatory inca...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 147: An act relating to purchasing drugs from a person under 21 years of age

Vermont's S 147 creates a new criminal offense for knowingly purchasing regulated drugs from anyone under 21 years old. The bill directly affects individuals who buy such drugs from minors, making this action punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison in addition to other legal penalties. Key provisions define the offense as "knowingly and unlawfully" purchasing and specify the mandatory sentencing range. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all regulated drugs under Vermont law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense with 1-5 year mandatory prison sentence for purchasing drugs from minors, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2025

H 255: An act relating to establishing increased criminal penalties for an assault of a public transit worker

H 255 increases criminal penalties for assaulting public transit workers in Vermont. It adds up to one year in prison for a first assault offense and up to 10 years for repeat offenses against workers while they perform their duties. The bill also prohibits intentionally exposing transit workers to bodily fluids (like blood or vomit), punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. "Public transit worker" is defined to include drivers (employees or volunteers) and support staff at transit centers. The law applies to all such assaults committed while workers are on duty, excluding individuals under 18 in residential facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases criminal penalties for assaults on transit workers, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directly strengthens workplace safety protections for transit workers by increasing penalties for assault and bodily fluid exposure, aligning with Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances safety for public transit workers, strengthening the public transit system and protecting workers through increased criminal penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Public Transit

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 19: An act relating to grand larceny of a firearm

This Vermont bill (H.19) changes the definition of grand larceny to automatically include the theft of any firearm, regardless of its value. Previously, grand larceny required stolen property to exceed $900 in value; this bill removes that threshold specifically for firearms. The key mechanism amends Vermont law to list "a firearm of any value" as a separate basis for grand larceny charges under § 2501(2). This directly affects individuals who steal firearms, subjecting them to the same penalties as other high-value thefts (up to 10 years in prison or $5,000 fine). The law takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves $900 value threshold for firearm theft, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for firearm larceny under grand larceny charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track