| 1 | | - | BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 2 | | - | 2025 Page1of16 |
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| 3 | | - | H.222 |
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| 4 | | - | IntroducedbyRepresentativesArsenaultofWilliston,ChristieofHartford, |
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| 5 | | - | GoslantofNorthfield,LaLondeofSouthBurlington,and |
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| 6 | | - | RachelsonofBurlington |
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| 7 | | - | ReferredtoCommitteeon |
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| 8 | | - | Date: |
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| 9 | | - | Subject:Domesticrelations;abuseprevention |
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| 10 | | - | Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoauthorizethe |
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| 11 | | - | courttoorderadefendanttocompleteadomesticviolenceaccountability |
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| 12 | | - | programapprovedbytheCouncilonDomesticViolenceasaconditionofa |
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| 13 | | - | finalrelieffromabuseorder. |
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| 14 | | - | Anactrelatingtoparticipationinadomesticviolenceaccountability |
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| 15 | | - | programasaconditionofafinalrelieffromabusepreventionorder |
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| 16 | | - | Anactrelatingtocivilordersofprotection |
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| 17 | | - | ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont: |
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| 18 | | - | Sec.1.15V.S.A.§ 1103isamendedtoread: |
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| 19 | | - | §1103.REQUESTSFORRELIEF |
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| 20 | | - | (a)Anyfamilyorhouseholdmembermayseekrelieffromabuseby |
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| 21 | | - | anotherfamilyorhouseholdmemberonbehalfofhimselforherself |
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| 22 | | - | themselvesorhisorhertheirchildrenbyfilingacomplaintunderthischapter. |
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| 41 | | - | 19 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 43 | | - | Aminor16yearsofageorolder,oraminorofanyagewhoisinadating |
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| 44 | | - | relationshipasdefinedinsubdivision1101(2)ofthischapter,mayfilea |
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| 45 | | - | complaintunderthischapterseekingreliefonhisorhertheminor’sown |
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| 46 | | - | behalf.Theplaintiffshallsubmitanaffidavitinsupportoftheorder. |
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| 47 | | - | (b)Exceptasprovidedinsection1104ofthistitle,thecourtshallgrant |
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| 48 | | - | reliefonlyafternoticetothedefendantandahearing.Theplaintiffshallhave |
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| 49 | | - | theburdenofprovingabusebyapreponderanceoftheevidence. |
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| 50 | | - | (c)(1)Thecourtshallmakesuchordersasitdeemsnecessarytoprotectthe |
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| 51 | | - | plaintifforthechildren,orboth,ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthas |
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| 52 | | - | abusedtheplaintiff,and: |
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| 53 | | - | (A)thereisadangeroffurtherabuse;or |
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| 54 | | - | (B)thedefendantiscurrentlyincarceratedandhasbeenconvictedof |
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| 55 | | - | oneofthefollowing:murder,attemptedmurder,kidnapping,domesticassault, |
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| 56 | | - | aggravateddomesticassault,sexualassault,aggravatedsexualassault,stalking, |
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| 57 | | - | aggravatedstalking,lewdorlasciviousconductwithachild,useofachildina |
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| 58 | | - | sexualperformance,orconsentingtoasexualperformance. |
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| 59 | | - | (2)Thecourtordermayincludethefollowing: |
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| 60 | | - | (A)Anorderthatthedefendantrefrainfromabusingtheplaintiffor |
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| 61 | | - | hisorhertheplaintiff’schildren,orboth,andfrominterferingwiththeir |
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| 62 | | - | personalliberty,includingrestrictionsonthedefendant’sabilitytocontactthe |
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| 63 | | - | plaintiffortheplaintiff’schildren,orboth,inanyway,whetherdirectly, |
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| 84 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 85 | | - | 2025 Page3of16 |
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| 86 | | - | indirectly,orthroughathirdparty,withthepurposeofmakingcontactwith |
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| 87 | | - | theplaintiff,includinginwritingorbytelephone,e-mailemail,orother |
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| 88 | | - | electroniccommunication,andrestrictionsprohibitingthedefendantfrom |
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| 89 | | - | comingwithinafixeddistanceoftheplaintiff,thechildren,theplaintiff’s |
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| 90 | | - | residence,orotherdesignatedlocationswheretheplaintiffortheplaintiff’s |
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| 91 | | - | childrenarelikelytospendtime. |
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| 92 | | - | (B)Anorderthatthedefendantimmediatelyvacatethehousehold |
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| 93 | | - | andthattheplaintiffbeawardedsolepossessionofaresidence. |
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| 94 | | - | (C)Atemporaryawardofparentalrightsandresponsibilitiesin |
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| 95 | | - | accordancewiththecriteriainsection665ofthistitle. |
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| 96 | | - | (D)Anorderforparent-childcontactundersuchconditionsasare |
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| 97 | | - | necessarytoprotectthechildortheplaintiff,orboth,fromabusein |
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| 98 | | - | accordancewithsection665aofthistitle.Anorderforparent-childcontact |
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| 99 | | - | may,ifnecessary,includeconditionsunderwhichtheplaintiffmaydeny |
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| 100 | | - | parent-childcontactpendingfurtherorderofthecourt. |
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| 101 | | - | (E)Ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthasadutytosupportthe |
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| 102 | | - | plaintiff,anorderthatthedefendantpaytheplaintiff’slivingexpensesfora |
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| 103 | | - | fixedperiodoftimenottoexceedthreemonths. |
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| 104 | | - | (F)Ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthasadutytosupportthe |
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| 105 | | - | childorchildren,atemporaryorderofchildsupportpursuanttochapter5of |
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| 106 | | - | thistitle,foraperiodnottoexceedthreemonths.Asupportordergranted |
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| 127 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 128 | | - | 2025 Page4of16 |
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| 129 | | - | underthissectionmaybeextendediftherelieffromabuseproceedingis |
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| 130 | | - | consolidatedwithanactionforlegalseparation,divorce,orparentage. |
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| 131 | | - | (G)Anorderconcerningthepossession,care,andcontrolofany |
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| 132 | | - | animalowned,possessed,leased,kept,orheldasapetbyeitherpartyora |
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| 133 | | - | minorchildresidinginthehousehold. |
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| 134 | | - | (H)Anorderthatthedefendantreturnanypersonaldocumentationin |
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| 135 | | - | hisorherthedefendant’spossession,includingimmigrationdocumentation, |
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| 136 | | - | birthcertificates,andidentificationcards: |
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| 137 | | - | (i)pertainingtotheplaintiff;or |
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| 138 | | - | (ii)pertainingtotheplaintiff’schildrenifreliefissoughtforthe |
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| 139 | | - | childrenorforgoodcauseshown. |
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| 140 | | - | (I)Anorderrequiringthedefendanttocompleteadomesticviolence |
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| 141 | | - | accountabilityprogramapprovedbytheCouncilonDomesticViolence. |
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| 142 | | - | (d)Inahearingunderthischapter,neitheropinionevidenceofnor |
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| 143 | | - | evidenceofthereputationoftheplaintiff’ssexualconductshallbeadmitted. |
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| 144 | | - | Evidenceofpriorsexualconductoftheplaintiffshallnotbeadmitted; |
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| 145 | | - | provided,however,whereitbearsonthecredibilityoftheplaintifforitis |
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| 146 | | - | materialtoafactatissueanditsprobativevalueoutweighsitsprivate |
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| 147 | | - | character,thecourtmayadmit: |
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| 148 | | - | (1)evidenceoftheplaintiff’spastsexualconductwiththedefendant; |
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| 169 | | - | 2025 Page5of16 |
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| 170 | | - | (2)evidenceofspecificinstancesoftheplaintiff’ssexualconduct |
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| 171 | | - | showingthesourceoforiginofsemen,pregnancy,ordisease; |
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| 172 | | - | (3)evidenceofspecificinstancesoftheplaintiff’spastfalseallegations |
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| 173 | | - | ofviolationsof13V.S.A.chapter59or72. |
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| 174 | | - | (e)Reliefshallbegrantedforafixedperiod,attheexpirationofwhich |
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| 175 | | - | timethecourtmayextendanyorder,uponmotionoftheplaintiff,forsuch |
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| 176 | | - | additionaltimeasitdeemsnecessarytoprotecttheplaintiff,orthechildren,or |
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| 177 | | - | both,fromabuse.Itisnotnecessaryforthecourttofindthatabusehas |
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| 178 | | - | occurredduringthependencyoftheordertoextendthetermsoftheorder. |
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| 179 | | - | Thecourtmaymodifyitsorderatanysubsequenttimeuponmotionbyeither |
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| 180 | | - | partyandashowingofasubstantialchangeincircumstance. |
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| 181 | | - | (f)Nofilingfeeshallberequired. |
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| 182 | | - | (g)Everyorderunderthischaptershallcontainthenameofthecourt,the |
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| 183 | | - | namesoftheparties,thedateofthepetition,andthedateandtimeofthe |
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| 184 | | - | order,andshallbesignedbythejudge. |
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| 185 | | - | (h)FormcomplaintsandformordersshallbeprovidedbytheCourt |
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| 186 | | - | Administratorandshallbemaintainedbytheclerksofthecourts. |
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| 187 | | - | (i)Whenfindingsarerequiredunderthissection,thecourtshallmake |
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| 188 | | - | eitherwrittenfindingsoffactororalfindingsoffactontherecord. |
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| 189 | | - | (j)Everyfinalorderissuedunderthissectionshallbearthefollowing |
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| 190 | | - | language:“VIOLATIONOFTHISORDERISACRIMESUBJECTTOA |
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| 211 | | - | 21 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 212 | | - | 2025 Page6of16 |
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| 213 | | - | TERMOFIMPRISONMENTORAFINE,ORBOTH,ANDMAYALSOBE |
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| 214 | | - | PROSECUTEDASCRIMINALCONTEMPTPUNISHABLEBYFINEOR |
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| 215 | | - | IMPRISONMENT,ORBOTH.” |
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| 216 | | - | (k)Affidavitformsrequiredpursuanttothissectionshallbearthe |
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| 217 | | - | followinglanguage:“MAKINGFALSESTATEMENTSINTHIS |
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| 218 | | - | AFFIDAVITISACRIMESUBJECTTOATERMOFIMPRISONMENT |
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| 219 | | - | ORAFINE,ORBOTH,ASPROVIDEDBY13V.S.A.§2904.” |
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| 220 | | - | Sec.2.EFFECTIVEDATE |
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| 221 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
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| 222 | | - | Sec.1.12V.S.A.§ 5131isamendedtoread: |
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| 223 | | - | §5131.DEFINITIONS |
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| 224 | | - | Asusedinthischapter: |
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| 225 | | - | (1)(A)“Courseofconduct”means: |
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| 226 | | - | (i)twoormoreactsoveraperiodoftime,howevershort,inwhich |
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| 227 | | - | apersonfollows,monitors,surveils,threatens,ormakesthreatsaboutanother |
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| 228 | | - | person,orinterfereswithanotherperson’sproperty;or |
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| 229 | | - | (ii)useofanyelectronic,digital,orprecisegeolocationdeviceor |
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| 230 | | - | softwareorapplicationtosurveilaspecificpersonoraspecificperson’s |
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| 231 | | - | internetorwirelessactivitycontinuouslyfor12hoursormoreorontwoor |
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| 232 | | - | moreoccasionsoveraperiodoftime,howevershort,withoutauthorization. |
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| 241 | | - | 9 BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 243 | | - | (B)Thisdefinitionshallapplytoactsconductedbytheperson |
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| 244 | | - | directlyorindirectly,andbyanyaction,method,device,ormeans. |
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| 245 | | - | Constitutionallyprotectedactivityisnotincludedwithinthemeaningof |
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| 246 | | - | “courseofconduct.” |
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| 247 | | - | (B)(C)Asusedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(1),threaten |
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| 248 | | - | shallnotbeconstruedtorequireanexpressorovertthreat. |
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| 249 | | - | *** |
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| 250 | | - | (4)“Reasonableperson”meansareasonablepersoninthevictim’s |
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| 251 | | - | circumstances. |
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| 252 | | - | (5)“Sexuallyassaultedtheplaintiff”meansthatthedefendantengaged |
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| 253 | | - | inconductthatmeetselementsoflewdandlasciviousconductasdefinedin13 |
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| 254 | | - | V.S.A.§2601,lewdandlasciviousconductwithachildasdefinedin13V.S.A. |
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| 255 | | - | §2602,sexualassaultasdefinedin13V.S.A.§3252,aggravatedsexual |
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| 256 | | - | assaultasdefinedin13V.S.A.§3253,useofachildinasexualperformance |
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| 257 | | - | asdefinedin13V.S.A.§2822,orconsentingtoasexualperformanceas |
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| 258 | | - | definedin13V.S.A.§2823,andthattheplaintiffwasthevictimoftheoffense. |
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| 259 | | - | (6)“Stalk”meanstoengagepurposefullyinacourseofconduct |
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| 260 | | - | directedataspecificpersonthatthepersonengagingintheconductknowsor |
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| 261 | | - | shouldknowwouldcauseareasonablepersonto: |
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| 262 | | - | (A)fearforhisorhertheperson’ssafetyorthesafetyofafamily |
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| 263 | | - | member;or BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 264 | | - | 2025 Page8of16 |
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| 265 | | - | (B)suffersubstantialemotionaldistressasevidencedby: |
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| 266 | | - | (i)afearofunlawfulsexualconduct,unlawfulrestraint,bodily |
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| 267 | | - | injury,ordeath;or |
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| 268 | | - | (ii)significantmodificationsintheperson’sactionsorroutines, |
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| 269 | | - | includingmovingfromanestablishedresidence,changestoestablisheddaily |
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| 270 | | - | routestoandfromworkthatcauseaseriousdisruptionintheperson’slife, |
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| 271 | | - | changestotheperson’semploymentorworkschedule,orthelossofajobor |
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| 272 | | - | timefromwork. |
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| 273 | | - | *** |
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| 274 | | - | Sec.2.15V.S.A.§ 1103isamendedtoread: |
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| 275 | | - | §1103.REQUESTSFORRELIEF |
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| 276 | | - | (a)Anyfamilyorhouseholdmembermayseekrelieffromabusebyanother |
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| 277 | | - | familyorhouseholdmemberonbehalfofhimselforherselfthemselvesorhis |
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| 278 | | - | orhertheirchildrenbyfilingacomplaintunderthischapter.Aminor16years |
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| 279 | | - | ofageorolder,oraminorofanyagewhoisinadatingrelationshipas |
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| 280 | | - | definedinsubdivision1101(2)ofthischapter,mayfileacomplaintunderthis |
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| 281 | | - | chapterseekingreliefonhisorhertheminor’sownbehalf.Theplaintiffshall |
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| 282 | | - | submitanaffidavitinsupportoftheorder. |
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| 283 | | - | (b)Exceptasprovidedinsection1104ofthistitle,thecourtshallgrant |
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| 284 | | - | reliefonlyafternoticetothedefendantandahearing.Theplaintiffshallhave |
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| 285 | | - | theburdenofprovingabusebyapreponderanceoftheevidence. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 287 | | - | (c)(1)Thecourtshallmakesuchordersasitdeemsnecessarytoprotectthe |
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| 288 | | - | plaintifforthechildren,orboth,ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthas |
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| 289 | | - | abusedtheplaintiff,and: |
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| 290 | | - | (A)thereisadangeroffurtherabuse;or |
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| 291 | | - | (B)thedefendantiscurrentlyincarceratedandhasbeenconvictedof |
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| 292 | | - | oneofthefollowing:murder,attemptedmurder,kidnapping,domesticassault, |
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| 293 | | - | aggravateddomesticassault,sexualassault,aggravatedsexualassault, |
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| 294 | | - | stalking,aggravatedstalking,lewdorlasciviousconductwithachild,useofa |
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| 295 | | - | childinasexualperformance,orconsentingtoasexualperformance. |
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| 296 | | - | (2)Thecourtordermayincludethefollowing: |
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| 297 | | - | (A)Anorderthatthedefendantrefrainfromabusingtheplaintiffor |
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| 298 | | - | hisorhertheplaintiff’schildren,orboth,andfrominterferingwiththeir |
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| 299 | | - | personalliberty,includingrestrictionsonthedefendant’sabilitytocontactthe |
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| 300 | | - | plaintiffortheplaintiff’schildren,orboth,inanyway,whetherdirectly, |
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| 301 | | - | indirectly,orthroughathirdparty,withthepurposeofmakingcontactwiththe |
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| 302 | | - | plaintiff,includinginwritingorbytelephone,e-mailemail,orotherelectronic |
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| 303 | | - | communication,andrestrictionsprohibitingthedefendantfromcomingwithin |
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| 304 | | - | afixeddistanceoftheplaintiff,thechildren,theplaintiff’sresidence,orother |
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| 305 | | - | designatedlocationswheretheplaintiffortheplaintiff’schildrenarelikelyto |
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| 306 | | - | spendtime. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 308 | | - | (B)Anorderthatthedefendantimmediatelyvacatethehousehold |
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| 309 | | - | andthattheplaintiffbeawardedsolepossessionofaresidence. |
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| 310 | | - | (C)Atemporaryawardofparentalrightsandresponsibilitiesin |
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| 311 | | - | accordancewiththecriteriainsection665ofthistitle. |
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| 312 | | - | (D)Anorderforparent-childcontactundersuchconditionsasare |
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| 313 | | - | necessarytoprotectthechildortheplaintiff,orboth,fromabusein |
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| 314 | | - | accordancewithsection665aofthistitle.Anorderforparent-childcontact |
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| 315 | | - | may,ifnecessary,includeconditionsunderwhichtheplaintiffmaydeny |
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| 316 | | - | parent-childcontactpendingfurtherorderofthecourt. |
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| 317 | | - | (E)Ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthasadutytosupportthe |
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| 318 | | - | plaintiff,anorderthatthedefendantpaytheplaintiff’slivingexpensesfora |
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| 319 | | - | fixedperiodoftimenottoexceedthreemonths. |
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| 320 | | - | (F)Ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthasadutytosupportthe |
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| 321 | | - | childorchildren,atemporaryorderofchildsupportpursuanttochapter5of |
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| 322 | | - | thistitle,foraperiodnottoexceedthreemonths.Asupportordergranted |
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| 323 | | - | underthissectionmaybeextendediftherelieffromabuseproceedingis |
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| 324 | | - | consolidatedwithanactionforlegalseparation,divorce,orparentage. |
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| 325 | | - | (G)Anorderconcerningthepossession,care,andcontrolofany |
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| 326 | | - | animalowned,possessed,leased,kept,orheldasapetbyeitherpartyora |
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| 327 | | - | minorchildresidinginthehousehold. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 329 | | - | (H)Anorderthatthedefendantreturnanypersonaldocumentation |
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| 330 | | - | inhisorherthedefendant’spossession,includingimmigrationdocumentation, |
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| 331 | | - | birthcertificates,andidentificationcards: |
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| 332 | | - | (i)pertainingtotheplaintiff;or |
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| 333 | | - | (ii)pertainingtotheplaintiff’schildrenifreliefissoughtforthe |
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| 334 | | - | childrenorforgoodcauseshown. |
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| 335 | | - | (I)Anorderawardingpossessionofavehicletotheplaintiffforaset |
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| 336 | | - | periodoftime,providedthattheplaintiff: |
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| 337 | | - | (i)istheownerorjointownerofthevehicle; |
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| 338 | | - | (ii)istheprimarypayoronthevehicleloan; |
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| 339 | | - | (iii)hasprimarypossessionorcontrolofthevehicle;or |
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| 340 | | - | (iv)hasbeenrestrictedfromusingthevehiclebythedefendant. |
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| 341 | | - | (J)Anorderrequiringthedefendanttocompleteadomesticviolence |
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| 342 | | - | accountabilityprogramapprovedbytheCouncilonDomesticViolence. |
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| 343 | | - | Failuretocompletetheprogramshallnotbeconsideredacrimeforany |
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| 344 | | - | purpose,including13V.S.A.§ 1030,butmaysubjectthedefendanttocivil |
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| 345 | | - | contemptproceedings.Successfulcompletionoftheprogramshallbe |
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| 346 | | - | consideredasubstantialchangeincircumstancesforpurposesofrequeststo |
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| 347 | | - | modifyanorder.Acourtmayconsideradefendant’sfailuretosuccessfully |
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| 348 | | - | completetheprogramwhendeterminingwhethertoextendanorder. |
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| 349 | | - | *** BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 350 | | - | 2025 Page12of16 |
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| 351 | | - | Sec.3.15V.S.A.§ 1104isamendedtoread: |
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| 352 | | - | §1104.EMERGENCYRELIEF |
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| 353 | | - | (a)InaccordancewiththeVermontRulesofCivilProcedure,temporary |
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| 354 | | - | ordersunderthischaptermaybeissuedexparte,withoutnoticetothe |
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| 355 | | - | defendant,uponmotionandfindingsbythecourtthatthedefendanthas |
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| 356 | | - | abusedtheplaintiffortheplaintiff’schildren,orboth.Theplaintiffshall |
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| 357 | | - | submitanaffidavitinsupportoftheorder,whichmaybesworntooraffirmed |
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| 358 | | - | byadministrationoftheoathoverthetelephonetotheapplicantbyan |
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| 359 | | - | employeeoftheJudiciaryauthorizedtoadministeroathsandshallconclude |
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| 360 | | - | withthefollowingstatement:“Ideclareunderthepenaltyofperjurypursuant |
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| 361 | | - | tothelawsoftheStateofVermontthattheforegoingistrueandaccurate.I |
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| 362 | | - | understandthatmakingfalsestatementsisacrimesubjecttoatermof |
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| 363 | | - | imprisonmentorafine,orboth,asprovidedby13V.S.A.§2904.”The |
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| 364 | | - | authorizedpersonshallnoteontheaffidavitthedateandtimethattheoath |
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| 365 | | - | wasadministered.Aminor16yearsofageorolder,oraminorofanyage |
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| 366 | | - | whoisinadatingrelationshipasdefinedinsubdivision1101(2)ofthis |
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| 367 | | - | chapter,mayseekreliefontheminor’sownbehalf.Reliefunderthissection |
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| 368 | | - | shallbelimitedasfollows: |
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| 369 | | - | (1)Uponafindingthatthereisanimmediatedangeroffurtherabuse, |
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| 370 | | - | anordermaybegrantedrequiringthedefendant: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 371 | | - | 2025 Page13of16 |
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| 372 | | - | (A)torefrainfromabusingtheplaintiffortheplaintiff’schildren,or |
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| 373 | | - | both,orfromcruellytreatingasdefinedin13V.S.A.§352or352aorkilling |
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| 374 | | - | anyanimalowned,possessed,leased,kept,orheldasapetbyeitherpartyor |
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| 375 | | - | byaminorchildresidinginthehousehold; |
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| 376 | | - | (B)torefrainfrominterferingwiththeplaintiff’spersonallibertyor |
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| 377 | | - | thepersonallibertyoftheplaintiff’schildren,orboth; |
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| 378 | | - | (C)torefrainfromcomingwithinafixeddistanceoftheplaintiff,the |
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| 379 | | - | plaintiff’schildren,theplaintiff’sresidence,ortheplaintiff’splaceof |
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| 380 | | - | employment; |
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| 381 | | - | (D)torefrainfromcontactingtheplaintiffortheplaintiff’schildren, |
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| 382 | | - | orboth,inanyway,whetherdirectly,indirectly,orthroughathirdparty,with |
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| 383 | | - | thepurposeofmakingcontactwiththeplaintiff,includinginwritingorby |
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| 384 | | - | telephone,e-mailemail,orotherelectroniccommunication;or |
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| 385 | | - | (E)toimmediatelyrelinquish,untiltheexpirationoftheorder,all |
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| 386 | | - | firearmsthatareinthedefendant’spossession,ownership,orcontrolandto |
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| 387 | | - | refrainfromacquiringorpossessinganyfirearmswhiletheorderisineffect. |
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| 388 | | - | (2)Uponafindingthattheplaintiffortheplaintiff’schildren,orboth, |
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| 389 | | - | havebeenforcedfromthehouseholdandwillbewithoutshelterunlessthe |
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| 390 | | - | defendantisorderedtovacatethepremises,thecourtmayorderthedefendant |
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| 391 | | - | tovacateimmediatelythehouseholdandmayordersolepossessionofthe |
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| 392 | | - | premisestotheplaintiff. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 393 | | - | 2025 Page14of16 |
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| 394 | | - | (3)Uponafindingthatthereisimmediatedangerofphysicalor |
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| 395 | | - | emotionalharmtominorchildren,thecourtmayawardtemporarycustodyof |
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| 396 | | - | theseminorchildrentotheplaintiffortootherpersons. |
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| 397 | | - | (4)Uponafindingthattheplaintiff’spossessionofavehicleis |
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| 398 | | - | necessarytoescapeabuseorpreventfurtherabuse,thecourtmayawardthe |
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| 399 | | - | possessionofavehicletotheplaintiffforasetperiodoftime,providedthat |
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| 400 | | - | theplaintiff: |
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| 401 | | - | (A)istheownerorjointownerofthevehicle; |
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| 402 | | - | (B)istheprimarypayoronthevehicleloan; |
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| 403 | | - | (C)hasprimarypossessionorcontrolofthevehicle;or |
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| 404 | | - | (D)hasbeenrestrictedfromusingthevehiclebythedefendant. |
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| 405 | | - | (b)Everyorderissuedunderthissectionshallcontainthenameofthe |
|---|
| 406 | | - | court,thenamesoftheparties,thedateofthepetition,andthedateandtime |
|---|
| 407 | | - | oftheorderandshallbesignedbythejudge.Everyorderissuedunderthis |
|---|
| 408 | | - | sectionshallinformthedefendantthatifheorshethedefendantfailsto |
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| 409 | | - | appearatthefinalhearing,thetemporaryorderwillremainineffectuntilthe |
|---|
| 410 | | - | finalorderisservedonthedefendantunlessthetemporaryorderisdismissed |
|---|
| 411 | | - | bythecourt.Everyorderissuedunderthissectionshallstateuponitsfacea |
|---|
| 412 | | - | date,time,andplacewhenthedefendantmayappeartopetitionthecourtfor |
|---|
| 413 | | - | modificationordischargeoftheorder.Thisopportunitytocontestshallbe |
|---|
| 414 | | - | scheduledassoonasreasonablypossible,whichinnoeventshallbemore BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 415 | | - | 2025 Page15of16 |
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| 416 | | - | than14daysfromthedateofissuanceoftheorder.Atsuchhearings,the |
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| 417 | | - | plaintiffshallhavetheburdenofprovingabusebyapreponderanceofthe |
|---|
| 418 | | - | evidence.Ifthecourtfindsthattheplaintiffhasmethisorhertheburden,it |
|---|
| 419 | | - | shallcontinuetheorderineffectandmakesuchotherorderasitdeems |
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| 420 | | - | necessarytoprotecttheplaintiff. |
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| 421 | | - | *** |
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| 422 | | - | Sec.4.15V.S.A.§ 1140isamendedtoread: |
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| 423 | | - | §1140.DOMESTICVIOLENCEFATALITYREVIEWCOMMISSION |
|---|
| 424 | | - | *** |
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| 425 | | - | (g)TheCommissionshallreportitsfindingsandrecommendationstothe |
|---|
| 426 | | - | Governor,theGeneralAssembly,theChiefJusticeoftheVermontSupreme |
|---|
| 427 | | - | Court,andtheVermontCouncilonDomesticViolencenotlaterthanthethird |
|---|
| 428 | | - | TuesdayinJanuaryofthefirstyearofthebiennialsession.Thereportshallbe |
|---|
| 429 | | - | availabletothepublicthroughtheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral.The |
|---|
| 430 | | - | Commissionmayissuedataorotherinformationperiodically,inadditionto |
|---|
| 431 | | - | thebiennialreport.Theprovisionsof2V.S.A.§20(d)(expirationofrequired |
|---|
| 432 | | - | reports)shallnotapplytothereporttobemadeunderthissubsection. |
|---|
| 433 | | - | (h)Inthefindingsandrecommendationsrequiredbysubsection(g)ofthis |
|---|
| 434 | | - | section,theCommissionshallreportthenumberofdefendantsorderedto |
|---|
| 435 | | - | completeadomesticviolenceaccountabilityprogramapprovedbytheCouncil BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.222 |
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| 436 | | - | 2025 Page16of16 |
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| 437 | | - | onDomesticViolencepursuantto15V.S.A.§ 1103(c)(2)(J)andthenumberof |
|---|
| 438 | | - | thosedefendantswhocompletedtheprogram. |
|---|
| 439 | | - | Sec.5.EFFECTIVEDATE |
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| 440 | | - | ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025. |
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| 1 | + | BILL AS INTRODUCED H.222 |
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| 2 | + | 2025 Page 1 of 6 |
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| 3 | + | |
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| 4 | + | |
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| 5 | + | VT LEG #380495 v.1 |
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| 6 | + | H.222 1 |
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| 7 | + | Introduced by Representatives Arsenault of Williston, Christie of Hartford, 2 |
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| 8 | + | Goslant of Northfield, LaLonde of South Burlington, and 3 |
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| 9 | + | Rachelson of Burlington 4 |
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| 10 | + | Referred to Committee on 5 |
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| 11 | + | Date: 6 |
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| 12 | + | Subject: Domestic relations; abuse prevention 7 |
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| 13 | + | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize the 8 |
|---|
| 14 | + | court to order a defendant to complete a domestic violence accountability 9 |
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| 15 | + | program approved by the Council on Domestic Violence as a condition of a 10 |
|---|
| 16 | + | final relief from abuse order. 11 |
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| 17 | + | An act relating to participation in a domestic violence accountability 12 |
|---|
| 18 | + | program as a condition of a final relief from abuse prevention order 13 |
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| 19 | + | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 14 |
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| 20 | + | Sec. 1. 15 V.S.A. § 1103 is amended to read: 15 |
|---|
| 21 | + | § 1103. REQUESTS FOR RELIEF 16 |
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| 22 | + | (a) Any family or household member may seek relief from abuse by 17 |
|---|
| 23 | + | another family or household member on behalf of himself or herself 18 |
|---|
| 24 | + | themselves or his or her their children by filing a complaint under this chapter. 19 |
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| 25 | + | A minor 16 years of age or older, or a minor of any age who is in a dating 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.222 |
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| 26 | + | 2025 Page 2 of 6 |
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| 27 | + | |
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| 28 | + | |
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| 29 | + | VT LEG #380495 v.1 |
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| 30 | + | relationship as defined in subdivision 1101(2) of this chapter, may file a 1 |
|---|
| 31 | + | complaint under this chapter seeking relief on his or her the minor’s own 2 |
|---|
| 32 | + | behalf. The plaintiff shall submit an affidavit in support of the order. 3 |
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| 33 | + | (b) Except as provided in section 1104 of this title, the court shall grant 4 |
|---|
| 34 | + | relief only after notice to the defendant and a hearing. The plaintiff shall have 5 |
|---|
| 35 | + | the burden of proving abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. 6 |
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| 36 | + | (c)(1) The court shall make such orders as it deems necessary to protect the 7 |
|---|
| 37 | + | plaintiff or the children, or both, if the court finds that the defendant has 8 |
|---|
| 38 | + | abused the plaintiff, and: 9 |
|---|
| 39 | + | (A) there is a danger of further abuse; or 10 |
|---|
| 40 | + | (B) the defendant is currently incarcerated and has been convicted of 11 |
|---|
| 41 | + | one of the following: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic assault, 12 |
|---|
| 42 | + | aggravated domestic assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, 13 |
|---|
| 43 | + | stalking, aggravated stalking, lewd or lascivious conduct with a child, use of a 14 |
|---|
| 44 | + | child in a sexual performance, or consenting to a sexual performance. 15 |
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| 45 | + | (2) The court order may include the following: 16 |
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| 46 | + | (A) An order that the defendant refrain from abusing the plaintiff or 17 |
|---|
| 47 | + | his or her the plaintiff’s children, or both, and from interfering with their 18 |
|---|
| 48 | + | personal liberty, including restrictions on the defendant’s ability to contact the 19 |
|---|
| 49 | + | plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both, in any way, whether directly, 20 |
|---|
| 50 | + | indirectly, or through a third party, with the purpose of making contact with the 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.222 |
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| 51 | + | 2025 Page 3 of 6 |
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| 52 | + | |
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| 53 | + | |
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| 54 | + | VT LEG #380495 v.1 |
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| 55 | + | plaintiff, including in writing or by telephone, e-mail email, or other electronic 1 |
|---|
| 56 | + | communication, and restrictions prohibiting the defendant from coming within 2 |
|---|
| 57 | + | a fixed distance of the plaintiff, the children, the plaintiff’s residence, or other 3 |
|---|
| 58 | + | designated locations where the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children are likely to 4 |
|---|
| 59 | + | spend time. 5 |
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| 60 | + | (B) An order that the defendant immediately vacate the household 6 |
|---|
| 61 | + | and that the plaintiff be awarded sole possession of a residence. 7 |
|---|
| 62 | + | (C) A temporary award of parental rights and responsibilities in 8 |
|---|
| 63 | + | accordance with the criteria in section 665 of this title. 9 |
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| 64 | + | (D) An order for parent-child contact under such conditions as are 10 |
|---|
| 65 | + | necessary to protect the child or the plaintiff, or both, from abuse in accordance 11 |
|---|
| 66 | + | with section 665a of this title. An order for parent-child contact may, if 12 |
|---|
| 67 | + | necessary, include conditions under which the plaintiff may deny parent-child 13 |
|---|
| 68 | + | contact pending further order of the court. 14 |
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| 69 | + | (E) If the court finds that the defendant has a duty to support the 15 |
|---|
| 70 | + | plaintiff, an order that the defendant pay the plaintiff’s living expenses for a 16 |
|---|
| 71 | + | fixed period of time not to exceed three months. 17 |
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| 72 | + | (F) If the court finds that the defendant has a duty to support the child 18 |
|---|
| 73 | + | or children, a temporary order of child support pursuant to chapter 5 of this 19 |
|---|
| 74 | + | title, for a period not to exceed three months. A support order granted under 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.222 |
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| 75 | + | 2025 Page 4 of 6 |
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| 76 | + | |
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| 77 | + | |
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| 78 | + | VT LEG #380495 v.1 |
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| 79 | + | this section may be extended if the relief from abuse proceeding is 1 |
|---|
| 80 | + | consolidated with an action for legal separation, divorce, or parentage. 2 |
|---|
| 81 | + | (G) An order concerning the possession, care, and control of any 3 |
|---|
| 82 | + | animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held as a pet by either party or a 4 |
|---|
| 83 | + | minor child residing in the household. 5 |
|---|
| 84 | + | (H) An order that the defendant return any personal documentation in 6 |
|---|
| 85 | + | his or her the defendant’s possession, including immigration documentation, 7 |
|---|
| 86 | + | birth certificates, and identification cards: 8 |
|---|
| 87 | + | (i) pertaining to the plaintiff; or 9 |
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| 88 | + | (ii) pertaining to the plaintiff’s children if relief is sought for the 10 |
|---|
| 89 | + | children or for good cause shown. 11 |
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| 90 | + | (I) An order requiring the defendant to complete a domestic violence 12 |
|---|
| 91 | + | accountability program approved by the Council on Domestic Violence. 13 |
|---|
| 92 | + | (d) In a hearing under this chapter, neither opinion evidence of nor 14 |
|---|
| 93 | + | evidence of the reputation of the plaintiff’s sexual conduct shall be admitted. 15 |
|---|
| 94 | + | Evidence of prior sexual conduct of the plaintiff shall not be admitted; 16 |
|---|
| 95 | + | provided, however, where it bears on the credibility of the plaintiff or it is 17 |
|---|
| 96 | + | material to a fact at issue and its probative value outweighs its private 18 |
|---|
| 97 | + | character, the court may admit: 19 |
|---|
| 98 | + | (1) evidence of the plaintiff’s past sexual conduct with the defendant; 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.222 |
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| 99 | + | 2025 Page 5 of 6 |
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| 100 | + | |
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| 101 | + | |
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| 102 | + | VT LEG #380495 v.1 |
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| 103 | + | (2) evidence of specific instances of the plaintiff’s sexual conduct 1 |
|---|
| 104 | + | showing the source of origin of semen, pregnancy, or disease; 2 |
|---|
| 105 | + | (3) evidence of specific instances of the plaintiff’s past false allegations 3 |
|---|
| 106 | + | of violations of 13 V.S.A. chapter 59 or 72. 4 |
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| 107 | + | (e) Relief shall be granted for a fixed period, at the expiration of which 5 |
|---|
| 108 | + | time the court may extend any order, upon motion of the plaintiff, for such 6 |
|---|
| 109 | + | additional time as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff, or the children, or 7 |
|---|
| 110 | + | both, from abuse. It is not necessary for the court to find that abuse has 8 |
|---|
| 111 | + | occurred during the pendency of the order to extend the terms of the order. 9 |
|---|
| 112 | + | The court may modify its order at any subsequent time upon motion by either 10 |
|---|
| 113 | + | party and a showing of a substantial change in circumstance. 11 |
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| 114 | + | (f) No filing fee shall be required. 12 |
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| 115 | + | (g) Every order under this chapter shall contain the name of the court, the 13 |
|---|
| 116 | + | names of the parties, the date of the petition, and the date and time of the order, 14 |
|---|
| 117 | + | and shall be signed by the judge. 15 |
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| 118 | + | (h) Form complaints and form orders shall be provided by the Court 16 |
|---|
| 119 | + | Administrator and shall be maintained by the clerks of the courts. 17 |
|---|
| 120 | + | (i) When findings are required under this section, the court shall make 18 |
|---|
| 121 | + | either written findings of fact or oral findings of fact on the record. 19 |
|---|
| 122 | + | (j) Every final order issued under this section shall bear the following 20 |
|---|
| 123 | + | language: “VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.222 |
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| 124 | + | 2025 Page 6 of 6 |
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| 125 | + | |
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| 126 | + | |
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| 127 | + | VT LEG #380495 v.1 |
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| 128 | + | TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AND MAY ALSO BE 1 |
|---|
| 129 | + | PROSECUTED AS CRIMINAL CONTEMPT PUNISHABLE BY FINE OR 2 |
|---|
| 130 | + | IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH.” 3 |
|---|
| 131 | + | (k) Affidavit forms required pursuant to this section shall bear the 4 |
|---|
| 132 | + | following language: “MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS IN THIS 5 |
|---|
| 133 | + | AFFIDAVIT IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT 6 |
|---|
| 134 | + | OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AS PROVIDED BY 13 V.S.A. § 2904.” 7 |
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| 135 | + | Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 8 |
|---|
| 136 | + | This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 9 |
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