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VermontH.1052025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to expanding the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program

Sponsored By: Karen N Dolan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Under-21 low-BAC driving penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, if you are 12–20 and your BAC is 0.02 or higher while driving, it is a civil violation. Your license is first suspended for 90 days on a first offense and 145 days on later ones, with automatic reinstatement after those periods. If you do not finish required steps, a first offense is a $300 fine and a 180‑day suspension; a later offense is a $600 fine and a one‑year suspension or until you turn 21, whichever is longer. You may drive during suspension only with an ignition‑interlock restricted license for the time set in law (for example, 180 days or one year or until age 21).

Youth alcohol and cannabis diversion rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law covers ages 12–20 for youth alcohol and cannabis rules. It is a civil violation to lie about your age to get alcohol, to possess or drink alcohol, or to possess small amounts of cannabis (up to 1 ounce, 5 grams of hashish, 2 mature or 4 immature plants). These cases go to the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program for diversion. If you do not finish the program, the first offense is a $300 fine and a 30‑day license suspension. A second or later offense can be up to $600 and a 90‑day suspension.

Diversion program rules and privacy

Beginning July 1, 2025, if cited, you must contact the county Diversion Program within 15 days and register for the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program. The program completes screening within 60 days and can require assessment, counseling, or treatment; you pay program costs. If you finish the conditions, the summons is voided; if not, the case goes to the Judicial Bureau. DMV keeps a separate, mostly private record; identities can be shared only with law enforcement for prior checks and insurers for suspensions. The Health Department runs the Alcohol and Driving Program and must consider needs of drivers under 21.

Old youth drug laws consolidated

On July 1, 2025, Vermont repeals four older youth laws: under‑16 alcohol delinquency; cannabis possession civil rule for ages 16–20; under‑16 cannabis delinquency; and the stand‑alone under‑21 0.02 BAC rule. The law centralizes youth alcohol, cannabis, and low‑BAC rules in one section that uses diversion and civil penalties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karen N Dolan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

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

    5/29/2025Senate

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/28/2025House

  6. Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

    5/28/2025House

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/28/2025House

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

    5/23/2025House

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

    5/22/2025Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    5/22/2025Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    5/21/2025Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary, as amended, agreed to

    5/21/2025Senate

  13. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary amended as moved by Senator(s) Hashim

    5/21/2025Senate

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

    5/21/2025Senate

  15. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Hashim

    5/21/2025Senate

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

    5/21/2025Senate

  17. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    5/21/2025Senate

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

    5/20/2025Senate

  19. New Business/Second Reading

    5/20/2025Senate

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

    5/16/2025Senate

  21. Second Reading

    5/16/2025Senate

  22. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/16/2025Senate

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

    3/18/2025Senate

  24. Read third time and passed

    3/13/2025House

  25. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 45)

    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

    5/27/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/27/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/27/2025

    PDF

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