summary
Introduced
02/14/2025
02/14/2025
In Committee
02/14/2025
02/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to clarify that the use of tracking technology to follow a person’s movements without the person’s consent is included within the meaning of course of conduct for purposes of the crime of stalking; to prohibit a person from knowingly installing, concealing, or otherwise placing or using an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle without the consent of the operator and all occupants of the vehicle for the purpose of monitoring or following the operator, occupant, or occupants of the vehicle; to permit a plaintiff seeking a relief from abuse order to request the possession of a vehicle for a set period of time if possession of the vehicle is necessary to escape abuse or future abuse; and to establish a process whereby domestic violence survivors can quickly terminate or disable an abuser’s access to a vehicle’s connected services even if the abuser is the account holder.
AI Summary
This bill addresses multiple aspects of stalking and domestic violence protection, focusing on technological tracking and vehicle-related safety measures. It expands the legal definition of "course of conduct" in stalking cases to explicitly include the use of electronic, digital, or GPS devices to surveil a person continuously for 12 hours or more, or on multiple occasions. The bill also creates new legal protections by making it a crime to install an electronic tracking device in a motor vehicle without the consent of all occupants, with specific exceptions for law enforcement, parents monitoring minor children, and businesses tracking company vehicles. Additionally, the legislation establishes a comprehensive process for domestic violence survivors to quickly terminate an abuser's access to a vehicle's connected services, even if the abuser is the account holder. The bill requires vehicle service providers to have a clear, accessible process for survivors to disconnect location tracking, providing privacy protections and ensuring survivors can swiftly remove an abuser's ability to track their vehicle location. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for how survivors can prove their need to disconnect vehicle services, such as through court orders, law enforcement statements, or advocacy organization documentation.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
House Committee on Judiciary Hearing (00:00:00 5/22/2025 ) (on 05/22/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.223 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0223/H-0223%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
Loading...