This bill (H.887) adds survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to the definition of "crime victim" under Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act. It directly affects these survivors by expanding their legal protections against employment discrimination. The key provision modifies the Act's definition to explicitly include these survivors, ensuring they are covered by existing anti-discrimination safeguards in the workplace. This change clarifies that employers cannot discriminate against individuals based on their status as survivors of these specific crimes. The bill focuses on updating definitions to align with current protections, not creating new employment rules.
This bill clarifies that in stalking cases, a "course of conduct" can include multiple acts occurring within a single day, rather than requiring separate calendar days. It amends Vermont's criminal and civil stalking definitions (12 V.S.A. §5131 and 13 V.S.A. §1061) to explicitly state that two or more acts establishing a course of conduct do not need to happen on different days. The change directly affects victims of stalking, prosecutors, and courts by making it easier to prove stalking cases involving repeated incidents within a single timeframe. This update simplifies the legal standard without altering penalties or expanding the definition of stalking itself.
This bill changes Vermont's juvenile justice process by requiring certain serious offenses committed by juveniles (aged 14-22) to be filed in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It specifically applies to: (1) violating release conditions for prior serious offenses; (2) using firearms during felonies; (3) drug trafficking; and (4) aggravated stalking. The State’s Attorney may still choose to file such cases as "youthful offender" petitions in the Family Division. This shift aims to handle these specific offenses through criminal court procedures rather than juvenile court, while allowing limited transfer options between divisions under defined conditions.
This bill changes how Vermont handles juvenile criminal cases by moving certain serious offenses to the Criminal Division of Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It applies to juveniles aged 14-22 for specific crimes like firearm use during felony, drug trafficking, or aggravated stalking (as listed in sections 5201(c)(3) and 5204(a)). Key provisions include prohibiting suspended sentences for repeat offenders with prior escape convictions or three felony convictions, requiring written court findings for deferred sentences, and creating a new forensic facility for certain offenders. The bill also repeals "Raise the Age" protections for 19-year-olds and establishes stricter rules for sentencing and case transfers.
This bill (H 547) requires Vermont courts to recognize military protective orders as valid evidence in cases involving stalking, sexual assault, or domestic abuse. It directly affects victims of abuse who have obtained military protective orders against military members (including Vermont National Guard members) by allowing those orders and related sworn statements to be used in court proceedings. The key mechanism amends court procedures to explicitly admit military orders and sworn statements (administered by authorized military officials) as evidence to establish patterns of abuse. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and is currently before the Judiciary Committee.
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.
This bill (H 213) expands Vermont's legal definitions of child abuse and neglect to include "torture of a child" and specific new investigatory bases like lewd conduct involving children, domestic violence occurring in front of a child, and sexual offenses. It requires child protective services to collaborate with child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams during investigations and clarifies when investigations - not just assessments - are needed (e.g., for sexual abuse, abandonment, or serious injury). The bill directly affects child protective agencies, law enforcement, and child advocacy centers by modifying their processes for responding to reports. It creates concrete policy changes in how cases are categorized and handled, without altering penalties for existing offenses.
This bill (H 223) clarifies that using tracking technology without consent to follow someone’s movements - such as via GPS in a vehicle - counts as stalking under Vermont law. It prohibits installing or using tracking devices in vehicles without the operator’s and all occupants’ consent, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, parents monitoring minors, and vehicle dealers. The bill also allows courts to grant abuse survivors temporary vehicle possession for safety and creates a process for survivors to quickly disable an abuser’s access to a vehicle’s connected tracking services, even if the abuser owns the account. It directly affects domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking, and individuals using vehicles in abusive situations.
H 64 creates a process for victims of sexual assault to obtain emergency protective orders outside regular court hours, weekends, and holidays. It requires the Court Administrator to establish procedures where an authorized person can receive requests (including electronically), administer a sworn statement over the phone, and relay the case to a judicial officer for a decision. This directly affects individuals seeking immediate protection from sexual assault when courts are closed. The judicial officer decides solely based on the submitted information, and if approved, the order is delivered to law enforcement for service. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
This bill (S.12) creates a new process for Vermont residents to have certain criminal records sealed from public view. It allows sealing of most misdemeanor offenses and specific non-violent felonies (like certain drug possession or property crimes), provided the offense isn't excluded. Excluded offenses include sex crimes, domestic violence, violations of protection orders, and some drug offenses involving large quantities. Once sealed, these records are no longer accessible to most employers, landlords, or licensing boards, helping individuals with qualifying histories access housing, jobs, and education opportunities. The bill was enacted into law after receiving final approval from the governor on June 12, 2025.
