Bill
Bill > H0490
summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to reduce the community service hours a person convicted of a second impaired driving offense is required to complete under 23 V.S.A. § 1210(c). The bill would contain a findings section stating that aligning these time requirements is consistent with the State’s Restorative Justice Policy established pursuant to 28 V.S.A. § 2a because it would encourage more people to elect community service over incarceration for offenses where community service exists as a sentencing alternative. The bill’s findings section would also reference the latest Department of Corrections’ figures for persons residing at Vermont correctional facilities as the starting measure of any reduction that the bill’s initiative may have on the number of persons incarcerated in Vermont. H.490
AI Summary
This bill proposes to reduce the number of community service hours required for individuals convicted of a second impaired driving offense under Vermont state law. The bill aims to align community service sentencing requirements with Vermont's Restorative Justice Policy, which encourages alternative sentencing options that prioritize community service over incarceration. By potentially reducing the mandatory community service hours, the bill seeks to make this sentencing alternative more appealing and accessible, potentially decreasing the number of people sentenced to prison for such offenses. The bill references the latest Department of Corrections data on the current population of Vermont correctional facilities as a benchmark for measuring any potential reduction in incarceration rates resulting from this proposed change. The underlying motivation appears to be creating a more flexible and rehabilitative approach to handling repeat impaired driving offenses by making community service a more attractive sentencing option.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Michelle Bos-Lun (D)*,
Conor Casey (D),
Esme Cole (D),
Zon Eastes (D),
Ian Goodnow (D),
Troy Headrick (D),
Jubilee McGill (D),
Christopher Morrow (D),
Barbara Rachelson (D),
Shawn Sweeney (D),
Last Action
House Committee on Judiciary Hearing (00:00:00 4/15/2025 ) (on 04/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.490 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0490/H-0490%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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