Bill > H0379

This bill establishes a "Second Look Sentencing Act" that allows incarcerated individuals serving sentences of 15 years or more to petition the sentencing court for a reduction in their term of imprisonment after serving at least 15 years. The bill aims to reduce the number of individuals serving life sentences in Vermont, which currently represents 20 percent of the state's incarcerated population, exceeding the national average. When considering a petition, the court will evaluate factors such as the person's age at the time of the offense, their rehabilitation efforts, institutional behavior, and current circumstances. The petition process requires notification to the victim, prosecutor, and public defender, and provides specific timelines for filing and hearing the petition. The court can grant a sentence reduction based on various considerations, including changes in societal attitudes, the individual's role in the offense, rehabilitation efforts, and medical conditions. The bill also limits the frequency of subsequent petitions, with a waiting period of at least two years after a denial. Additionally, the Department of Corrections is required to submit an annual report detailing potential cost savings and recommending reinvestment in victim support services, recidivism reduction programs, and reentry initiatives. The act will apply to sentences imposed before its effective date of July 1, 2025, and is designed to provide a compassionate and comprehensive approach to reevaluating long-term prison sentences.

Justice

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.379