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VermontH.22025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings

Sponsored By: Martin J LaLonde (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Children under 12 avoid delinquency proceedings

Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont raises the minimum age for delinquency proceedings from 10 to 12. Children must be at least 12 when the alleged act happens. The law removes the exception for younger children accused of acts that would be murder if committed by an adult.

More young adults enter family court

Beginning July 1, 2027, covered cases generally start in Vermont's Family Division when the person was under 20 at the offense. Cases filed in other courts must move there when the person was under 20 and the offense is not excluded. Police must cite people over 16 and under 20 to the Family Division unless the offense is excluded. The law lists excluded offenses, and qualifying felony cases can move to the Criminal Division.

Longer juvenile court oversight for older youths

Beginning July 1, 2025, juvenile court authority can last until six months after age 20 for offenses committed at 16 or 17. For offenses committed at 18, it can last until six months after age 21. Beginning July 1, 2027, authority can last until age 22 for offenses committed at 19. These limits apply to delinquency matters.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Martin J LaLonde

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Angela Arsenault

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Rachelson

    Democratic • House

  • Karen N Dolan

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 55 • No: 86

House vote • 3/12/2025

Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 71 of 141 to Pass -- Yeas = 55, Nays = 86

Yes: 55 • No: 86 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on March 31, 2025

    4/2/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on March 31, 2025

    4/1/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor on March 27, 2025

    3/27/2025House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    3/26/2025Senate

  5. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

    3/26/2025Senate

  6. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    3/26/2025Senate

  7. Rules suspended & bill placed on all remaining stages of passage, on motion of Senator Baruth

    3/26/2025Senate

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

    3/26/2025Senate

  9. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    3/26/2025Senate

  10. Second Reading

    3/26/2025Senate

  11. Entered on Notice Calendar

    3/25/2025Senate

  12. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    3/25/2025Senate

  13. Second Reading

    3/25/2025Senate

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

    3/18/2025Senate

  15. Read third time and passed

    3/13/2025House

  16. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/13/2025House

  17. Third Reading ordered

    3/12/2025House

  18. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    3/12/2025House

  19. Which was disagreed to on a Roll Call Failed -- Needed 71 of 141 to Pass -- Yeas = 55, Nays = 86

    3/12/2025House

  20. Rep. Maguire of Rutland City demanded yeas and nays

    3/12/2025House

  21. Rep. Maguire of Rutland City moved to amend the report of the Committee on Judiciary

    3/12/2025House

  22. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington reported for the Committee on Judiciary

    3/12/2025House

  23. Read second time

    3/12/2025House

  24. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    3/12/2025House

  25. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    3/11/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 4)Opens in a new window

    4/2/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    3/27/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    3/27/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/19/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/19/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    12/30/2024

    PDF

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