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VermontH.1052025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

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

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Young drivers face suspensions and fines

Beginning July 1, 2025, drivers ages 12–20 face civil violations for driving, attempting to drive, or controlling a vehicle on a highway with blood alcohol of at least 0.02. Refusing a preliminary breath test also counts as a violation. Initial license suspensions are 90 days for a first offense and 145 days for later offenses. Failure to finish the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program brings a $300 fine and 180-day suspension for a first offense. For later offenses, failure brings $600 and a one-year suspension or suspension until age 21, whichever is longer. No license points are assessed, specified same-incident suspensions run together, and an ignition-interlock restricted license or certificate allows driving during suspension. The law repeals the prior under-21 alcohol-driving rule and removes the reinstatement exemption for licenses suspended under that rule.

Younger teens enter alcohol diversion programs

Beginning July 1, 2025, covered alcohol rules apply to ages 12–20, down from 16–20. They cover knowingly giving a false age to obtain alcohol, possessing alcohol, or drinking unlawfully. The law repeals the separate under-16 alcohol delinquency rule and requires county diversion and Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program enrollment. Participants must contact diversion within 15 days of its receipt of the notice and finish screening within 60 days. They pay for required screening and services, including counseling from State-certified or licensed providers when recommended. Successful completion clears the complaint without a fine or license suspension; failure sends it to the Judicial Bureau. Civil penalties are $300 for a first offense and up to $600 for later offenses, with possible license suspensions.

Youth cannabis rules require program completion

Beginning July 1, 2025, people ages 12–20 cannot knowingly and unlawfully possess cannabis within the listed amounts. These are one ounce or less of cannabis, five grams or less of hashish, two or fewer mature plants, or four or fewer immature plants. Covered violations require enrollment in the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program, with required screening and services paid by the participant. Successful completion clears the complaint; failure brings civil penalties and possible license suspensions. The law repeals the separate cannabis delinquency rule for those under 16 and the prior civil rule for ages 16–20, replacing them with this framework.

Young drivers gain suspension record privacy

Beginning July 1, 2025, covered underage impaired-driving suspension records are private and exempt from public inspection or copying. Release generally requires the participant's prior consent. Police can access the information to check for a previous violation. Insurers and their contractors can access it to record a license suspension.

Driving treatment must consider younger drivers

Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont's Department of Health Division of Substance Use Programs administers the Alcohol and Driving Program. It must consider the particular treatment needs of drivers under 21. This requirement does not set a household payment or benefit amount.

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

    6/9/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on June 5, 2025

    6/5/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 30, 2025

    5/30/2025House

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

    5/29/2025House

  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

    5/23/2025Senate

  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)Opens in a new window

    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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