VermontH.5502025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to gender equity within Vermont’s correctional facilities

Sponsored By: Troy Headrick (Independent)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Gender identity protections for Vermont inmates

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont corrections staff must address people in custody consistently with their gender identity. Intake questions about identity, pronouns, titles, and search-staff gender preferences must be asked as privately as possible. People may decline these identity questions without punishment and update their answers later. Staff and contractors must receive gender-responsive training based on their contact with inmates. The department and contractors cannot search or physically examine anyone solely to determine genital status. For transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people, the department must individually consider search-staff gender requests, weighing health, safety, and security. It cannot deny search, classification, or housing requests solely because of anatomy, physical traits, or gender expression. Housing review panels must include medical and qualified mental-health professionals and seriously consider each person's placement request and sense of safety. The department must give a specific written reason for denying placement because of an unreasonable health, safety, or security risk. It must consider out-of-state placement and reassess housing after an inmate's request, health or safety concern, or misconduct.

Sexual abuse protections for Vermont inmates

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont's corrections department must follow national Prison Rape Elimination Act standards. The law adopts the version in effect on January 1, 2024. These standards cover preventing, detecting, and responding to sexual abuse, including searches, staff training, investigations, medical services, and retaliation protections. The department must adopt required data-collection policies by January 15, 2027. Annual reports of required sexual-abuse data to legislative committees begin in 2027. A separate review of the standards and reporting requirements is due December 15, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Troy Headrick
Independent • House

Cosponsors

Brian Minier
Democratic • House
Conor Casey
Democratic • House
Jubilee McGill
Democratic • House
Kate McCann
Democratic • House
Mary E. E Howard
Democratic • House
Tiffany Bluemle
Democratic • House
William "Will" Greer
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 27 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 27, Nays = 2