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VermontH.1182025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to expanding the scope of hate-motivated crimes

Sponsored By: Angela Arsenault (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Vermont expands hate-crime protections and penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont expands hate-crime protections and the conduct subject to hate-crime penalties. The law covers anyone who commits, causes, or attempts a crime motivated partly or fully by protected status. This includes another person's or group's actual or perceived status; it need not be the main or only motive. Protected traits include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Service in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard is also protected. Existing penalty tiers remain: crimes with a maximum sentence of one year or less carry up to two years, a $2,000 fine, or both. Crimes with a maximum sentence above one year but below five years carry up to five years, a $10,000 fine, or both. For crimes with a maximum sentence of five years or more, the underlying penalties apply. Courts must also consider the defendant's hate-based motive when sentencing those crimes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Arsenault

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • 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 April 29, 2025

    4/30/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on April 29, 2025

    4/29/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 23, 2025

    4/23/2025House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    4/18/2025Senate

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    4/17/2025Senate

  6. New Business/Third Reading

    4/17/2025Senate

  7. Reported favorably by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Judiciary, read 2nd time and 3rd reading ordered

    4/16/2025Senate

  8. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    4/16/2025Senate

  9. New Business/Second Reading

    4/16/2025Senate

  10. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Second Reading

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/15/2025Senate

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

    2/13/2025Senate

  14. Read third time and passed

    2/11/2025House

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    2/11/2025House

  16. Third Reading ordered

    2/7/2025House

  17. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    2/7/2025House

  18. Rep. Arsenault of Williston reported for the Committee on Judiciary

    2/7/2025House

  19. Read second time

    2/7/2025House

  20. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    2/7/2025House

  21. On Notice Calendar

    2/6/2025House

  22. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 8)Opens in a new window

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    2/12/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    2/12/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/28/2025

    PDF

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