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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.

Some 16–19 felony cases move to adult court

Beginning 2027-07-01, the Family Division may transfer a case to adult criminal court if the person was 16–19 when the act happened and the act is a felony not on the excluded list. A State’s Attorney must file a motion, and the court holds a hearing before transfer. Transfer exposes the youth to adult criminal penalties and records.

Juvenile cases start at 12, last longer

Beginning 2025-07-01, a child must be at least 12 to face a delinquency case. Acts before age 10 that would be murder can still be processed. Starting 2025-07-01, juvenile court can keep a case past age 18: up to six months after the 20th birthday if the offense was at 16–17, and up to six months after the 21st birthday if at 18. Beginning 2027-07-01, if the offense was at 19, the court may keep the case until the 22nd birthday.

More under-20 cases go to juvenile court

Beginning 2027-07-01, if the offense happened before the person turned 20, the case starts in the Family Division (juvenile court). State’s Attorneys must file these cases there, and the Criminal Division must transfer them if it appears the person was under 20. Police must cite people over 16 and under 20 to the Family Division. Listed serious offenses are excluded.

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

    4/2/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on March 31, 2025

    4/1/2025House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on March 27, 2025

    3/27/2025House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    3/26/2025House

  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)

    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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