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VermontS.1812025-2026 SessionSenate

An act relating to eliminating the requirement for a presentence investigation for imposition of a deferred sentence

Sponsored By: Nader A Hashim (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New sentencing options for Vermont defendants

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont removes the blanket requirement for an investigation before a court defers sentencing. For offenses outside the state's listed-crime category, judges decide whether to order an investigation. Listed crimes still require one unless the prosecutor and defendant agree to waive it. For non-listed crimes, courts can also defer sentencing and order probation without a written agreement between the prosecutor and defendant. The court must let the victim give a written or oral statement and review it with both parties. The judge must also find that delaying sentencing serves the interests of justice. Deferral is barred for specified sex offenses, including aggravated sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault of a child. The exclusions also cover offenses specified in 13 V.S.A. §§ 3252(a)–(e) and 3253(a)(8), including specified child sexual offenses. A deferred sentence remains appealable and generally counts as a sentence for sentence-review purposes. Courts can impose the underlying sentence when a defendant violates the deferred sentence's terms. After successful completion, the court removes the finding of guilt and discharges the defendant. Records are generally expunged, meaning removed, but only after restitution is paid in full. Failure to pay restitution alone cannot trigger the underlying sentence. After expungement, agencies must answer record inquiries by saying no record exists. For deferred sex offenses requiring registration, Vermont retains a confidential index containing only the person's name, birth date, offense, and docket number. Only the Vermont Crime Information Center director and one designated clerical employee can access it to provide authorized corrections information.

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

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 6, 2026

    5/7/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on May 6, 2026

    5/7/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 30, 2026

    4/30/2026Senate

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/17/2026Senate

  5. As passed by Senate and House

    4/16/2026Senate

  6. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/16/2026Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment; text

    4/16/2026Senate

  8. House proposal of amendment

    4/16/2026Senate

  9. House proposal of amendment

    4/15/2026Senate

  10. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/15/2026Senate

  11. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

    4/15/2026House

  12. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/10/2026House

  13. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    4/10/2026House

  14. Third Reading ordered

    4/9/2026House

  15. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    4/9/2026House

  16. Rep. Arsenault of Williston reported for the Committee on Judiciary

    4/9/2026House

  17. Read second time

    4/9/2026House

  18. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/9/2026House

  19. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/8/2026House

  20. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

    3/24/2026House

  21. Read 3rd time & passed

    3/19/2026Senate

  22. New Business/Third Reading

    3/19/2026Senate

  23. 3rd reading ordered

    3/18/2026Senate

  24. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

    3/18/2026Senate

  25. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Hashim for Committee on Judiciary

    3/18/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 93)Opens in a new window

    5/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/21/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/21/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/5/2026

    PDF

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