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VermontH.272025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission

Sponsored By: Martin J LaLonde (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New commission to prevent domestic violence deaths

The law creates the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission in the Attorney General’s Office. It studies deaths and near-deaths, finds patterns, and recommends ways to prevent them. The Commission has 23 members and aims to reflect Vermont’s diversity. Members include health, justice, victim services, and community voices.

Regular public report on findings

The Commission reports findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, the Chief Justice, and the Council on Domestic Violence. The report is due by the third Tuesday in January of the first year of each biennium. The Attorney General’s Office makes the report public, and the Commission may also share data between reports. This reporting duty does not expire.

Required record sharing with legal immunity

When the Commission asks in writing, holders of needed records must share them as soon as practicable. Those who share information in response are not criminally or civilly liable for doing so. The Commission can require confidentiality agreements and can contract with nonprofits or private agencies to get confidential data for reviews.

Reviews limited to closed and final cases

The Commission reviews deaths and near-deaths that are not under active investigation. It may also review cases after a final judgment. It does not review cases still being investigated.

Confidential reviews, limited public access

The Commission’s meetings and records are confidential. They are not subject to subpoena, discovery, or use as evidence in court. Meetings are exempt from the open meetings law, and records are exempt from the public records law. The Commission may share conclusions and recommendations, but not confidential materials like autopsy records. It may use collected information only for its review work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Martin J LaLonde

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Kate Nugent

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on May 20, 2025

    5/22/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on May 20, 2025

    5/20/2025House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 14, 2025

    5/14/2025House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    5/9/2025House

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. New Business/Third Reading

    5/8/2025Senate

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

    5/7/2025Senate

  8. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    5/7/2025Senate

  9. New Business/Second Reading

    5/7/2025Senate

  10. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    5/6/2025Senate

  11. Second Reading

    5/6/2025Senate

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/6/2025Senate

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

    2/4/2025Senate

  14. Read third time and passed

    1/30/2025House

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    1/30/2025House

  16. Third Reading ordered

    1/29/2025House

  17. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    1/29/2025House

  18. Rep. Rachelson of Burlington reported for the Committee on Judiciary

    1/29/2025House

  19. Read second time

    1/29/2025House

  20. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    1/29/2025House

  21. On Notice Calendar

    1/28/2025House

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

    1/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 25)

    5/28/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    2/3/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    2/3/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/9/2025

    PDF

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