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VermontH.5402025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to the recommendations of the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group

Sponsored By: Karen N Dolan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Restorative justice option for nonviolent cases

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law creates a Restorative Justice Program. Community reparative boards run the program under the Commissioner. Courts can require people who plead guilty to a nonviolent felony, a nonviolent misdemeanor, or a misdemeanor not barred by law to take part. Courts may order it as a sentence, as a probation condition, or for civil contempt of a child support order. A referral does not automatically place the person on probation. If the board declines the case or the person does not finish in a reasonable time to the board’s satisfaction, the person returns to court for further sentencing.

Victim input and safety checks for referrals

Beginning July 1, 2026, judges must weigh set factors before ordering someone into the Restorative Justice Program. They must consider any agreement between the parties, the victim’s views, the impact on the community, the person’s willingness and ability to take part, and any past or current protective orders between the person and a victim. The Vermont Supreme Court may set procedures to carry this out across the courts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karen N Dolan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on April 20, 2026

    4/22/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on April 20, 2026

    4/21/2026House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on April 14, 2026

    4/14/2026House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    4/7/2026House

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    4/3/2026Senate

  6. New Business/Third Reading

    4/3/2026Senate

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

    4/2/2026Senate

  8. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    4/2/2026Senate

  9. New Business/Second Reading

    4/2/2026Senate

  10. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    4/1/2026Senate

  11. Second Reading

    4/1/2026Senate

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    2/11/2026Senate

  14. Read third time and passed

    2/6/2026House

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    2/6/2026House

  16. Third Reading ordered

    2/5/2026House

  17. Rep. Headrick of Burlington reported for the Committee on Corrections and Institutions

    2/5/2026House

  18. Read second time

    2/5/2026House

  19. Action Calendar: Favorable

    2/5/2026House

  20. Notice Calendar: Favorable

    2/4/2026House

  21. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions

    1/6/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 81)

    4/30/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/8/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/8/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    2/10/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/5/2026

    PDF

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