Immigration

This bill proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Vermont's Constitution, explicitly requiring the government to provide equal treatment under the law regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. It directly affects all Vermont residents by codifying these protections into the state's foundational legal document. The key provision creates Article 23, which bans government actions that deny equal treatment based on these characteristics while allowing measures to address historical discrimination. This amendment aims to strengthen existing equality principles in Vermont's Constitution without limiting other constitutional rights.

This is a symbolic House resolution (HR 12), not a policy bill. It expresses Vermont's support for Governor Philip B. Scott's statement criticizing federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. The resolution specifically endorses the governor's call for halting "Operation Metro Surge" (the federal deployment of ICE/CBP agents), condemning the fatal shooting of a protester, and demanding adherence to constitutional rights. As a resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely conveys legislative support for the governor's position.