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VermontH.2222025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to civil orders of protection

Sponsored By: Angela Arsenault (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Broader stalking and assault definitions

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law widens what counts as stalking and sexual assault for protection orders. Digital tracking can count as a course of conduct if it lasts 12 straight hours or happens two or more times. Courts judge fear and distress using a "reasonable person in the victim’s situation" standard. The law also clarifies that a person “sexually assaulted the plaintiff” when their conduct meets listed sex-crime elements and the plaintiff was the victim.

Faster, safer emergency protection orders

Beginning July 1, 2025, you can swear the required affidavit by phone with a court employee for an emergency order. Every temporary emergency order must set a court date to contest it within 14 days. If a court finds immediate danger, it can order the defendant to give up all firearms at once and not get or have any while the order lasts.

Wider access to protection orders

Beginning July 1, 2025, a minor who is 16 or older can file for protection on their own. A younger minor can also file if they are in a legally defined dating relationship. An affidavit from the plaintiff is required. Courts must grant relief when abuse is proven and there is danger of more abuse, or when the defendant is jailed and convicted of listed serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, or stalking.

Accountability programs and public reporting

Beginning July 1, 2025, courts can require defendants to finish an approved domestic violence accountability program. Not finishing is not a crime, but the court can use civil contempt; finishing can justify changing the order. The state also publishes, every two years, how many people were ordered into these programs and how many finished, through the Attorney General’s Office.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Arsenault

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Barbara Rachelson

    Democratic • House

  • Kenneth W Goslant

    Republican • House

  • Kevin "Coach" B Christie

    Democratic • House

  • Martin J LaLonde

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 5, 2025

    6/9/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on June 5, 2025

    6/5/2025House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 30, 2025

    5/30/2025House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    5/27/2025Senate

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/23/2025House

  6. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/23/2025House

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/22/2025House

  8. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/21/2025House

  9. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/20/2025Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    5/20/2025Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    5/16/2025Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    5/16/2025Senate

  13. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Judiciary

    5/16/2025Senate

  14. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

    5/16/2025Senate

  15. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/16/2025Senate

  16. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/15/2025Senate

  17. New Business/Second Reading

    5/15/2025Senate

  18. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/14/2025Senate

  19. Second Reading

    5/14/2025Senate

  20. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/14/2025Senate

  21. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary

    3/25/2025Senate

  22. Read third time and passed

    3/20/2025House

  23. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/20/2025House

  24. Third Reading ordered

    3/19/2025House

  25. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    3/19/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 46)

    6/11/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/30/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/21/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/25/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/25/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/13/2025

    PDF

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