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VermontH.8492025-2026 SessionHouse

An act relating to a civil action for damages for deprivation of federal constitutional rights by any government official

Sponsored By: Martin J LaLonde (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New constitutional rights lawsuits in Vermont

Beginning July 1, 2026, people within Vermont’s jurisdiction can bring a state-law lawsuit when someone violates their U.S. constitutional rights. The person responsible must act under federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia law or government practices. People can seek damages or other proper relief; the law sets no damages amount. Defendants have the same defenses available under the federal civil-rights law, 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Courts cannot order judges to act or stop acting in their judicial role unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. Those exceptions concern court orders declaring legal rights. The law does not change immunity defenses in other Vermont-law cases, and directs Vermont courts to follow federal interpretations of § 1983.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Martin J LaLonde

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 120 • No: 46

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 23, Nays = 7

Yes: 23 • No: 7

House vote • 3/12/2026

Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 68 of 136 to Pass -- Yeas = 97, Nays = 39

Yes: 97 • No: 39 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor allowed to become law without signature on April 27, 2026

    4/29/2026House

  2. Allowed to become law without the signature of the Governor on April 27, 2026

    4/28/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 21, 2026

    4/21/2026House

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

    4/16/2026Senate

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

    4/15/2026Senate

  6. New Business/Third Reading

    4/15/2026Senate

  7. Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Vyhovsky

    4/14/2026Senate

  8. 3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 30 to Pass -- Yeas = 23, Nays = 7

    4/14/2026Senate

  9. Reported favorably by Senator Hashim for Committee on Judiciary

    4/14/2026Senate

  10. Read 2nd time

    4/14/2026Senate

  11. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    4/14/2026Senate

  12. Second Reading

    4/14/2026Senate

  13. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

    4/10/2026Senate

  14. Second Reading

    4/10/2026Senate

  15. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/10/2026Senate

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

    3/18/2026Senate

  17. Read third time and passed

    3/13/2026House

  18. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/13/2026House

  19. Third Reading ordered

    3/12/2026House

  20. Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 68 of 136 to Pass -- Yeas = 97, Nays = 39

    3/12/2026House

  21. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    3/12/2026House

  22. Rep. Houghton of Essex Junction demanded yeas and nays

    3/12/2026House

  23. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington reported for the Committee on Judiciary

    3/12/2026House

  24. Read second time

    3/12/2026House

  25. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    3/12/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 87)Opens in a new window

    5/7/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/16/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/16/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/2/2026

    PDF

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