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VermontH.412025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to abuse of the dead body of a person

Sponsored By: Thomas B Burditt (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New crimes for abusing dead bodies

Beginning July 1, 2025, it is a crime to knowingly, without legal authority, burn, mutilate, disfigure, dismember, or destroy a dead body. Doing this to hide a crime or avoid arrest or prosecution is a more serious crime. Any sexual conduct with a dead body is banned, including penetration, sexual touching for arousal, masturbation, or bestiality. The basic crime carries up to 5 years in prison or a fine up to $5,000, or both. If done to hide a crime or it involves sexual conduct, the penalty is up to 15 years or a fine up to $10,000, or both. Cremated remains are not covered.

Penalties for moving bodies without a permit

Beginning July 1, 2025, a person faces penalties for burying, entombing, transporting, or removing a dead body without a burial-transit permit, or outside what the permit allows. Penalties are up to 5 years in prison or a civil fine up to $1,000, or both.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Thomas B Burditt

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Allen "Penny" R Demar

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on May 22, 2025

    5/22/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on May 22, 2025

    5/22/2025House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on May 16, 2025

    5/16/2025House

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

    5/16/2025Senate

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/14/2025House

  6. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/14/2025

    5/14/2025House

  7. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved to postpone action until 5/14/2025, which was agreed to

    5/13/2025House

  8. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/13/2025

    5/13/2025House

  9. Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 13, 2025

    5/12/2025House

  10. Rep. Burditt of West Rutland moved to postpone action until 5/13/25, which was agreed to

    5/9/2025House

  11. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 5/9/2025

    5/9/2025House

  12. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington moved to postpone action until 5/9/2025, which was agreed to

    5/8/2025House

  13. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/8/2025House

  14. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/7/2025House

  15. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/6/2025House

  16. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/2/2025Senate

  17. New Business/Third Reading

    5/2/2025Senate

  18. 3rd reading ordered

    5/1/2025Senate

  19. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    5/1/2025Senate

  20. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Hashim for Committee on Judiciary

    5/1/2025Senate

  21. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    5/1/2025Senate

  22. New Business/Second Reading

    5/1/2025Senate

  23. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

    4/30/2025Senate

  24. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/30/2025Senate

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

    2/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 30)

    5/28/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/16/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/16/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    2/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    2/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/16/2025

    PDF

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