Bill > S0209

This bill amends existing Vermont law to prohibit civil arrest, which is an arrest made to compel a person's presence or attendance at a civil proceeding or immigration proceeding, in a variety of sensitive locations. Specifically, individuals are protected from civil arrest when traveling to, entering, remaining at, or returning from court proceedings or educational institutions, and also when they are on the premises of state- or locally-owned buildings used for government business, Department of Motor Vehicles offices open to the public, public libraries, polling places, various social services establishments like crisis centers and homeless shelters, places of worship, children's camps, and health care facilities. However, these protections do not apply to arrests made with a judicially issued warrant or court order, for contempt of court where the proceeding is occurring, or to maintain order or safety in a court. Violators of this prohibition may be liable for false imprisonment and subject to contempt proceedings, and those arrested in violation may sue for damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees, with the Attorney General also able to bring civil actions. The bill also clarifies definitions for "civil arrest," "educational institution," and other terms, and specifies that these protections apply regardless of when the privilege against civil arrest is invoked.