An act relating to the calculation of recidivism and other related criminology measures

Vermont sets new crime reporting rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont counts a new criminal conviction after an earlier conviction as recidivism, or repeat crime. This replaces the former measure based on returning to prison within three years for certain offenders. The new offense's arraignment date—the date of a court hearing on the charge—marks the event. Measurement starts at release from prison or sentencing to a sentence without incarceration. Reports measure repeat crime over three-year and five-year periods. Vermont's Statistical Analysis Center must submit annual reports by April 1. Reports go to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, House Corrections and Institutions Committee, and Senate Institutions Committee. They cover bail amounts, who posts bail, and people held without bail, grouped by county. They also cover people held before trial in Vermont correctional facilities, including crime type and jurisdiction. Arrests and rates of solving crimes are reported by crime using National Incident-Based Reporting System data. For the 20 crimes with the most convictions, reports list sentence counts, types, lengths, and fines. Reports also total the prior year's court-ordered probation and prison years, showing which crimes and counties contributed most. Data must include race, gender, age, and other demographics whenever possible. Beginning July 1, 2026, state and local agencies must provide data the center finds relevant when requested, despite other legal obligations. Contributing agencies must receive draft reports and reasonable time to comment. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $25,000 in General Fund money through the Department of Public Safety for contracted reporting support. This includes $10,000 for bail, $10,000 for repeat crime, $1,000 for arrests and crime-solving rates, and $4,000 for sentencing reports. These changes support reporting; they do not change criminal penalties or provide household payments.