An act relating to miscellaneous judiciary procedures
Sponsored By: Nader A Hashim (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher pay for Vermont judicial officers
Beginning July 13, 2025, Vermont judicial officers receive higher annual salaries. The Chief Justice's salary rises from $214,024 to $225,581; Superior Judges' salaries rise from $194,185 to $204,671. Associate Justices and the Administrative Chief Superior Judge receive $215,294 each. Magistrates and Judicial Bureau hearing officers receive $154,319 each.
Repeat drunk-driving offenders face less service
Beginning June 12, 2025, the minimum community service for qualifying repeat drunk-driving offenses falls from 200 to 80 hours. This applies when the person has another qualifying conviction within the previous 20 years. Instead, the person may serve 60 consecutive hours in jail. That jail term cannot be suspended, deferred, or served as a supervised sentence. Qualifying time in a residential alcohol facility can count toward it.
Switchblade ban ends and records clear
The law removes the offense for possessing, selling, or offering to sell switchblades with blades at least three inches long. The offense still covers zip guns. Courts must order criminal records cleared for switchblade convictions under this provision from before July 1, 2025. Courts and other covered entities must finish clearing those records by July 1, 2026.
Adult children freed from parental-nonsupport offense
Adult children can no longer be charged under this criminal provision for refusing to support a destitute parent living in Vermont. The removed offense covered refusal without a lawful excuse. The listed spouse and child desertion or nonsupport offenses remain.
Firearm working-group members get meeting pay
Eligible Firearm Surrender Order Compliance Working Group members receive meeting pay and expense reimbursement for no more than six meetings. Members must not be Vermont state employees or already receive pay or reimbursement for attendance. The payment amount is not stated. The group reviews court-ordered firearm surrender procedures and must report by November 15, 2025.
Foster-care payments excluded from termination petitions
The Family Services Division cannot use a parent's child-support payments toward foster-care costs as a factor in a parental-rights termination petition. This rule applies to payments made to the Division to offset those costs. It does not change other child-support duties.
Free family help for incarcerated parents
Beginning June 12, 2025, Corrections must provide free family-support services for incarcerated parents and guardians of any gender. Services include parenting education, communication help, child-friendly visits, links to family services, and support when leaving prison. Implementation starts at Chittenden Regional and Northern State correctional facilities, with services required at each facility. Corrections must plan for equal access across genders by 2028 and report annually by July 1. The department can support services through grants or contracts with nonprofits that meet its requirements.
Injured helpers gain crime victim status
The law adds qualifying helpers to the legal definition of a crime victim. They must be physically injured or killed while trying to assist someone directly harmed by a crime or a protected professional. This gives those helpers victim status under the law.
Adult diversion reaches every Vermont county
The Attorney General must run an adult court diversion program in every Vermont county. It accepts referrals before or after criminal charges are filed and uses restorative justice as an alternative to prosecution. Post-charge eligibility involves cooperation with State's Attorneys, while the Attorney General retains discretion over referrals.
Vermont attorneys gain online court-record access
The Vermont Judiciary must give Vermont-licensed attorneys in good standing online access to nonconfidential criminal, family, and probate case records. It can provide access through its public portal or another method. Confidential records are not included.
Support payments matter in parental-rights cases
For children over six months old at filing, failure to exercise parental responsibility for six months is a termination ground. Courts may consider whether support payments were reasonable and consistent, based on the parent's means, during the six months before filing. Courts also consider contact with the child and willingness and ability to take custody. Ending parental rights still requires clear and convincing evidence of a legal ground and a finding about the child's best interests.
Young tobacco buyers face false-ID penalties
People under 21 face a civil penalty for using false identification to misrepresent their age when trying to buy tobacco. The rule also covers tobacco substitutes and tobacco paraphernalia. The penalty is up to $50, up to 10 hours of community service, or both.
Older property records gain legal protection
The law validates deeds, mortgages, leases, and similar documents signed by someone claiming to act as an owner's agent. This applies after at least 15 years in the property's town land records, even without a recorded power of attorney. A legal challenge must be started and recorded within 15 years after the document was recorded. Documents obtained through fraud or forgery are excluded from this rule.
Counties face courthouse funding request deadlines
Beginning July 1, 2026, counties must submit courthouse or court-operations capital funding requests by October 1. Court-operations requests cannot cover operating expenses. The Court Administrator reviews each request, including the county's capital plans, budgeted project, reserve funds, and emergency needs. The administrator recommends whether to include each request in the Judiciary's capital request and reports to legislative committees by January 15.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Nader A Hashim
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 12, 2025
6/13/2025SenateSigned by Governor on June 12, 2025
6/13/2025SenateDelivered to Governor on June 6, 2025
6/6/2025SenateAs passed by Senate and House
5/29/2025SenateHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment
5/29/2025HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/29/2025HouseSenate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment concurred in
5/29/2025HouseRules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration, pending entry on Notice Calendar, as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/29/2025HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment thereto
5/29/2025SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/29/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment as moved by Senator(s) Hashim
5/29/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment; text
5/29/2025SenateProposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Hashim
5/29/2025SenateNew Business/House Proposal of Amendment
5/29/2025SenateCalled up by Senator Hashim
5/28/2025SenateOrdered to lie
5/28/2025SenateOrdered to lie
5/27/2025SenateOrdered to lie on motion of Senator Hashim
5/23/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment; text
5/23/2025SenateNew Business/House Proposal of Amendment
5/23/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment
5/22/2025SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/22/2025SenateHouse message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
5/22/2025HouseRead third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/20/2025HouseAction Calendar: Unfinished Business
5/20/2025House
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 64)Opens in a new window
6/19/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/3/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/3/2025
House Proposal of Amendment
5/21/2025
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/21/2025
As Passed by the Senate
3/21/2025
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/21/2025
As Introduced
3/7/2025
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