Criminal Justice (Courts)

passed · Vermont · Senate May 13, 2026

S 329: An act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms

This bill strengthens Vermont's firearm laws by increasing penalties for theft and possession. It classifies stealing any firearm as a serious felony and raises prison sentences for individuals with prior convictions who possess guns again. The legislation also bans firearm ownership for people with certain mental health court findings, prohibits machine guns, and restricts carrying weapons on licensed alcohol premises.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm laws, increases penalties for theft/possession, and restricts ownership for those with mental health findings, thereby enhancing public safety and criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 29, 2026

H 849: An act relating to a civil action for damages for deprivation of federal constitutional rights by any government official

This bill (H.849) would allow any individual to file a civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages against federal, state, or local government officials who interfere with or violate their State or federal constitutional rights. It directly affects people whose constitutional rights - such as free speech, due process, or equal protection - are allegedly violated by officials acting in their government capacity. The key provision creates a legal pathway for victims to pursue compensation through the court system rather than relying solely on other remedies. The bill focuses on clarifying and enabling this specific civil action process without altering constitutional rights themselves.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables lawsuits against officials violating constitutional rights (free speech, due process), directly enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights - core support indicators for criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Tags Civil Liberties

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 180: An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

This bill adopts recommendations from Vermont's Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group. It creates a formal process for courts to refer nonviolent offenders (those convicted of nonviolent felonies, misdemeanors, or specific nonviolent misdemeanors) to community reparative boards instead of traditional sentencing or probation. Key provisions include requiring courts to consider victim input and community impact before referral, mandating standardized referral forms, and specifying that successful program completion avoids further sentencing while failure requires returning to court. The law applies to eligible cases starting July 1, 2026, directly affecting nonviolent offenders in Vermont's criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates community reparative boards for nonviolent offenders, reducing traditional sentencing reliance and advancing restorative justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 590: An act relating to prohibiting detention and incarceration of minors under 18 years of age in adult correctional facilities

This bill prohibits detaining or incarcerating minors under 18 in adult correctional facilities, except in limited cases where a minor is charged with a crime punishable by life imprisonment and the court determines public safety requires it. It applies to all minors involved in delinquency proceedings - both before and after a court adjudicates them as delinquent. Key provisions require immediate transfer of minors to juvenile facilities if mistakenly placed in adult facilities, mandate court findings for secure facility placement, and establish a process for independent review of prolonged detentions. The bill directly affects minors, juvenile justice agencies, and adult correctional facilities in Vermont.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits minors under 18 in adult facilities, promoting juvenile justice reform and rehabilitation, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 7, 2026

S 181: An act relating to eliminating the requirement for a presentence investigation for imposition of a deferred sentence

This bill (S.181) eliminates the requirement for a presentence investigation report to be filed before a Vermont court can impose a deferred sentence. It directly affects defendants eligible for deferred sentencing under Vermont law, removing a procedural step that currently must be completed before a judge can place someone on probation instead of imposing an immediate sentence. The amendment revises 13 V.S.A. § 7041 to remove the requirement for the court to order a presentence investigation, while maintaining other conditions like victim impact statements and court review of available information. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not apply to certain serious sex offenses against children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves procedural barrier for deferred sentencing, enabling more rehabilitative probation options instead of immediate incarceration, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Probation & Parole

passed · Vermont · House Mar 10, 2026

H 566: An act relating to sealing post-charge court diversion records upon successful completion

H 566 (Vermont) changes how court diversion records are handled for people who successfully complete adult or juvenile diversion programs. Instead of automatically expunging (erasing) these records, the bill requires courts to seal (confidentially restrict access to) records 30 days after the two-year anniversary of program completion, provided the participant has no new convictions, owes no restitution, and meets other specified conditions. The bill also expands the Adult Diversion Program to include municipal violations, such as traffic offenses. This policy change directly affects individuals who complete diversion programs by making their records confidential after meeting the requirements, improving access to opportunities like housing or employment that might otherwise be denied due to past records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seals diversion records post-completion, reducing conviction stigma and aiding rehabilitation - directly aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and improving reentry.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

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signed · Vermont · House Apr 22, 2026

H 540: An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

H 540 adopts recommendations from Vermont's Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group to create a structured alternative to traditional sentencing for certain nonviolent offenses. The bill allows courts to refer nonviolent felony, misdemeanor, or nonviolent misdemeanor offenders (who pled guilty) to community reparative boards instead of probation, requiring the offender to complete the program or return to court for further sentencing. Key provisions include mandatory court consideration of victim input, community impact, offender willingness, and standardized referral forms for all courts. This directly affects nonviolent offenders and community reparative boards, shifting focus toward restorative practices rather than standard probation. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes community reparative boards as alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenses, promoting rehabilitation over probation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 765: An act relating to qualified mental health professionals

H.765 expands Vermont's definition of "qualified mental health professional" to include licensed clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychoanalysts, and other specific licensed practitioners (such as advanced practice nurses and psychologists), removing the prior requirement that they must be employed by designated agencies. This directly affects mental health providers who can now qualify under the law for roles like emergency examinations and court testimony. The bill modifies statutes to allow these expanded professionals to perform duties previously restricted to a narrower group, such as applying for emergency warrants and providing expert testimony. It does not change eligibility for patient services but broadens who can provide certain legally defined mental health services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands access to mental health professionals for court testimony and emergency exams, enabling rehabilitation-focused approaches in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health provider access by removing agency employment requirement, enabling more practitioners to provide critical services like emergency exams and court testimony.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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signed · Vermont · House May 29, 2026

H 642: An act relating to youthful offender proceedings

H.642 modifies Vermont's youthful offender proceedings to strengthen court considerations and protections. It requires courts to specifically evaluate whether a youth has acknowledged causing harm (§ 5284(a)(11)) when deciding if public safety allows youthful offender treatment. The bill also mandates revoking youthful offender status if a youth on probation is charged with a violent crime (unless public safety is protected) or fails to attend a probation hearing without valid reason. Additionally, it clarifies victims' right to attend and speak at key hearings. This bill directly affects youth aged 12-18 facing charges, courts making disposition decisions, and the Departments of Children and Families and Corrections responsible for supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens youth protections by requiring harm acknowledgment evaluation and revoking status for violent crimes without public safety justification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 529: An act relating to enforcing violations of court-imposed pretrial supervision conditions

H.529 allows pretrial supervision officers to formally request court reviews when defendants violate court-imposed release rules. It directly affects defendants with five or more pending court cases or who have violated prior release conditions, requiring courts to reassess supervision needs. The bill establishes a clear process where officers can file motions for review, and courts must evaluate factors like the violation’s nature, defendant’s history, and public safety risks before adjusting supervision levels or issuing warrants for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates court reviews for supervision violations, requiring evaluation of public safety and defendant history, promoting fairer pretrial decisions aligned with reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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