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VermontH.6262025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to sexual extortion, voyeurism, and disclosure of sexually explicit images without consent

Sponsored By: Angela Arsenault (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Victims can sue over illegally recorded images

Beginning July 1, 2026, people harmed by intentional sharing of images recorded in violation of Vermont's voyeurism law can sue. Courts can award damages, order the sharing to stop, and let victims use a made-up name to protect their identity. A trauma-related disorder diagnosis can satisfy the actual-injury requirement in a negligence claim. These lawsuits have no filing time limit. The remedy reaches violations on or after July 1, 2005, despite otherwise applicable filing deadlines.

Image abuse cases get 40-year prosecution window

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont gives prosecutors 40 years after an offense to start specified image-abuse and sexual-extortion cases. Covered crimes include illegal intimate recording, sharing illegally recorded images, sharing sexual images without consent, and sexual extortion. This gives victims a longer opportunity for criminal cases while extending the time accused people can face prosecution.

Sexual extortion brings protections and penalties

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont bans knowingly threatening to share an identifiable person's nude or sexual image without consent to force action. This includes demanding money, more images, sexual conduct, or that someone do or stop doing something. The law also bans threats of criminal accusation, injury, public shaming, or reporting immigration status to force sexual images or conduct. For victims 18 or older, penalties reach 3 years in prison, a $3,000 fine, or both. For victims under 18, penalties reach 10 years, $10,000, or both. If serious bodily injury or death results, penalties reach 15 years, $15,000, or both. Victims who report promptly and in good faith to police gain limited protection against charges for sending indecent material to minors. That protection covers evidence obtained because of the report, not evidence obtained independently.

Vermont strengthens privacy protections and penalties

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont bans intentional viewing or recording of intimate areas or sexual activity without knowledge and consent where privacy is reasonably expected. The law also bans specified surveillance in homes and sharing images recorded illegally. For viewing, recording, and surveillance, a first offense involving an adult carries up to 2 years, $1,000, or both. Repeat adult offenses and first offenses involving someone under 18 carry up to 3 years, $5,000, or both. Repeat offenses involving someone under 18 carry up to 5 years, $10,000, or both. Sharing an illegally recorded image carries up to 5 years, $5,000, or both. Exceptions cover lawful official activities and certain business security programs, and press freedoms remain protected. Private investigators and security guards have a defense for unintentional conduct incidental to lawful work, but not later image sharing.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Arsenault

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alicia Malay

    Republican • House

  • Edye Graning

    Democratic • House

  • Emilie Krasnow

    Democratic • House

  • Leanne Harple

    Democratic • House

  • Mary-Katherine A Stone

    Democratic • House

  • Sarah "Sarita" C Austin

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on April 28, 2026

    4/30/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on April 28, 2026

    4/28/2026House

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

    4/23/2026House

  4. Delivered to Governor on April 22, 2026

    4/22/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/21/2026House

  6. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/21/2026House

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/17/2026House

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

    4/16/2026Senate

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

    4/15/2026Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    4/15/2026Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    4/14/2026Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    4/14/2026Senate

  15. Second Reading

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    4/10/2026Senate

  17. Second Reading

    4/10/2026Senate

  18. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/10/2026Senate

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

    2/6/2026Senate

  20. Read third time and passed

    2/5/2026House

  21. Remaining instances of amendment agreed to

    2/5/2026House

  22. Rep. Donahue of Northfield asked and was granted leave to withdraw 1st instance of amendment

    2/5/2026House

  23. Rep. Donahue of Northfield asked that the question be divided

    2/5/2026House

  24. Rep. Donahue of Northfield moved to amend the bill

    2/5/2026House

  25. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 89)Opens in a new window

    5/8/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/22/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/22/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/17/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/17/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    2/6/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    2/6/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/8/2026

    PDF

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