Bill > H0382

This bill, known as the Vermont Justice Transparency Act, requires several Vermont criminal justice agencies to collect and publicly report detailed data about their operations. The Judiciary will now be required to quarterly publish reports on pretrial release determinations, sentencing information, and case diversions, including demographic details like age, race, gender, and county of proceeding. The Vermont Crime Information Center must annually report comprehensive arrest data from state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, including details about arrests, use of force, search results, and demographic information. The Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs will annually report on prosecution decisions, including case declinations, plea bargains, sentencing recommendations, bail requests, and alternative sentencing options, again with detailed demographic breakdown. The Department of Corrections will be mandated to provide monthly and annual reports on the incarcerated population, including inmate characteristics, solitary confinement usage, medication-assisted treatment, sentencing information, probation revocations, and recidivism rates. All reports must be posted electronically in a manner that is easily understandable and accessible to the public. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with initial reporting beginning in 2026 and 2028, depending on the specific agency.

Justice

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.382