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.
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.
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.
This bill expands Vermont's definition of "victim" to include individuals affected by officer-involved shootings when the person shot was experiencing a mental health crisis. It requires the Victims Compensation Board to provide these individuals with access to services and compensation similar to other crime victims. The bill also mandates mental health crisis training for law enforcement officers as part of certification requirements and incorporates de-escalation techniques into the state's use-of-force policy. These changes directly affect victims of such incidents and their families, ensuring they receive support previously available only to traditional crime victims.
H.627 expands rights for crime victims in forensic cases where defendants face competency or sanity evaluations. It requires prosecutors to notify victims (who haven’t opted out) at least 30 days before key proceedings, including hearings on a defendant’s discharge from mental health treatment or hospitalization. The bill mandates that victims receive notice of court hearings and the right to be heard when a defendant committed under mental health laws is scheduled for discharge. This applies to cases where defendants were found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. The law aims to ensure victims are informed about their rights and the status of the defendant’s case.
This bill requires mental health officials to notify crime victims at least 10 days before discharging someone committed after being found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity. Victims can then request a court hearing within 10 days to share their views on the discharge, which would pause the release until the hearing concludes. The court must issue its decision within 15 days after the hearing. This applies to all cases where the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial, including those where the criminal case remains pending.
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.
This bill requires Vermont prosecutors to inform victims of certain crimes when a defendant appeals or seeks postconviction relief, explaining the process and providing hearing details. It mandates that courts at these hearings ask victims if they wish to speak about the case and consider their statements. Victims who cannot attend must have their written or oral views considered by the court. The law applies to victims of specified crimes and takes effect July 1, 2025. This changes how victims participate in legal proceedings after a conviction.
H 176 requires Vermont's Department of Corrections to reinstate its community work program (called "work crew") by July 1, 2025, after it was discontinued in 2023. The bill mandates reinstating prior policies and sets minimum requirements: offenders must be assigned at least 20 work crew days per court order, or 60 days total across multiple orders. This directly affects individuals sentenced to community restitution and the Department of Corrections, which must implement the program by the deadline. The law takes effect upon passage.
This bill requires Vermont correctional facilities to provide free telephone, video, and electronic communication services to incarcerated individuals at no cost to them. It caps commissary prices at no more than 10% above fair market value for comparable community products. The bill mandates that incarcerated individuals receive at least the federal minimum wage for their labor, with wages held in a separate fund and subject to limited deductions for maintenance or victim restitution. Additionally, the Department of Corrections must evaluate contracts with Global Tel Link and the Keefe Group by January 1, 2026, to ensure pricing does not exceed community rates or competitor offerings.
