Bill > H0219

This bill establishes a comprehensive Family Support Program within the Vermont Department of Corrections aimed at providing free services to incarcerated parents and guardians. The program will offer individualized support designed to help incarcerated parents develop parenting skills, create communication strategies with their children, and access resources for family engagement. Specific program components include child-friendly visitation spaces (both in-person and virtual), outreach to children's caregivers, cross-system coordination of services, and reentry support. The bill mandates that the program first be implemented at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility, with an intent to expand to all Vermont correctional facilities by 2028. The Department of Corrections is required to ensure gender parity in service access and will submit an annual report detailing program funding, participation, and outcomes. The program's operation is contingent on available funding, and the Department may support its implementation through grants or contracts with nonprofit organizations. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining family connections during incarceration and providing comprehensive support to both parents and their children, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.219