Bill > H0128

This bill proposes to prohibit a defendant in a criminal proceeding from using information about the victim's actual or perceived gender identity to justify the defendant's criminal conduct or mitigate the severity of the offense. The bill specifically states that evidence of the defendant's discovery of, knowledge about, or the potential disclosure of the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity, including in situations where the victim made a non-forcible, non-criminal romantic or sexual advance, cannot be used as a defense or to establish diminished capacity, justify the use of force, or otherwise mitigate the severity of the offense. The bill also prohibits the use of evidence of the defendant's perception or belief, even if inaccurate, about the victim's gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The bill is set to take effect upon passage.

Justice

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/H.128