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H.342
IntroducedbyRepresentativesPriestleyofBradford,CaseyofMontpelier,
CoffinofCavendish,HeadrickofBurlington,Howardof
RutlandCity,MrowickiofPutney,NugentofSouthBurlington,
andWhiteofBethel
ReferredtoCommitteeon
Date:
Subject:Commerceandtrade;protectionofpersonalinformation;public
servants
Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestorequiredata
brokerstostopdisclosingtheprotectedpersonalinformationofcertainpublic
servantsuponreceivinganoticetostopdisclosingtheprotectedinformation.
Anactrelatingtoprotectingthepersonalinformationofcertainpublic
servants
ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont:
Sec.1.FINDINGSANDPURPOSE
(a)TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthatVermont’sjudges,prosecutors,law
enforcementofficers,andotherpublicservantsplayanessentialroleinthe
functioningofthegovernmentoftheStateofVermontandthatthenatureof
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theirofficialdutiesregularlyplacesthemindangerofdeath,seriousphysical
injury,andotherreprisalsfrommembersofthepublic.
(b)Violencetoandintimidationofsuchpublicservantsandtheirfamilies
isontheriseandpublicaccesstothepersonalinformationoftheseindividuals
canbeandhasbeenusedtofacilitateviolenceandintimidation.Thepersonal
informationoftheseindividualsisofnegligiblevaluetothepublicinterestor
publicdiscourse.
(c)Accordingly,theprovisionsofthisactarebothnecessaryand
appropriatetoprotecttheprivacy,safety,andsecurityofpublicservantsandto
preventinterferenceintheadministrationofjusticeandtheoperationof
governmentintheStateofVermont.
Sec.2.9V.S.A.chapter62isamendedtoread:
CHAPTER62.PROTECTIONOFPERSONALINFORMATION
***
Subchapter5.DataBrokers
***
§ 2448.NONDISCLOSURE OFCERTAINPUBLICSERVANT
PERSONALINFORMATION
(a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection:
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(1)“Assignee”meansapersonorentitytowhomacoveredperson’s
righttobringacivilactionforaviolationofthissectionhasbeenassignedby
thecoveredpersonortheirauthorizedagent.
(2)“Authorizedagent”meansanyofthefollowingpersonsorentities
authorizedtosubmitorrevokearequestfortheredactionornondisclosureof
protectedinformationonbehalfofacoveredpersonandtoengagein
communicationsandenforcementrelatedtotherequest:
(A)adesignatedtrusteeorotheragentpursuanttoawrittenpowerof
attorneyorotherlegalinstrumentonbehalfofanycoveredpersonwhois
physicallyormentallyincapacitated;
(B)aparentorlegalguardianonbehalfofanychildwhoisaminor
andwhoisotherwiseentitledtoaddressredactionornondisclosurepursuantto
thissection;and
(C)apersonorentitywhohasbeenappointedpursuanttoanotarized
documentbyacoveredpersontoactforthecoveredpersonforthesubmission
orrevocationofrequestsforredactionornondisclosureofprotected
information.
(3)“Coveredperson”meansanyofthefollowingindividuals:
(A)activeorformerjudges,lawenforcementofficers,prosecutors,
publicdefenders,paroleandprobationofficers,municipalemployees,and
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employeesoftheFamilyServicesDivisionoftheDepartmentforChildrenand
Families;and
(B)theimmediatefamilyofindividualsidentifiedinsubdivision(A)
ofthissubdivision(3).
(4)“Databroker”hasthesamemeaningassetforthinsection2430of
thistitle.“Databroker”asusedinthissectionshallexcludegovernmental
agenciesandtheirrepresentativesactingintheirofficialcapacities.
(5)“Disclose”or“disclosing”meanstosolicit,sell,manufacture,give,
provide,lend,trade,mail,deliver,transfer,post,publish,distribute,circulate,
disseminate,present,exhibit,advertise,offer,orincludewithinasearchable
listordatabase,regardlessofwhetheranypersonhasactuallysearchedthelist
ordatabase.
(6)“Homeaddress”meansapartialorcompletestreetaddressorother
informationthatrevealsahome’slocation,includingtaxparcelID,legal
propertydescription,orgeographiccoordinates.
(7)“Hometelephonenumber”meansanytelephonenumberused
primarilyforpersonalcommunications,includingalandlineorcellular
telephonenumber.
(8)“Immediatefamily”hasthesamemeaningasin3V.S.A.§1201.
(9)“Judge”meansanyjustice,judge,ormagistrateoftheVermont
SupremeCourt,SuperiorCourt,orVermontJudicialBureau,andanyjudgeor
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magistrateofafederalcourtlocatedinVermont,oranypersonwhoservesasa
judge,justice,ormagistrateinanotherstatewhomaintainsahomeaddressin
Vermont.
(10)“Lawenforcementofficer”hasthesamemeaningasin20V.S.A.
§ 2351a.
(11)“Municipalemployee”hasthesamemeaningasin21V.S.A.
§ 1722.
(12)“Paroleandprobationofficer”meansacorrectionsservices
specialistemployedbytheDepartmentofCorrectionsoraparoleorprobation
officeremployedbyaVermontcountyormunicipality.
(13)“Prosecutor”meansaVermontState’sAttorneyorDeputyState’s
Attorney,oraU.S.AttorneyoranAssistantU.S.Attorney.
(14)“Protectedinformation”meansacoveredperson’s:
(A)homeaddress,includingprimaryresidenceandanysecondary
residences;
(B)hometelephonenumber;
(C)personalemailaddress;
(D)SocialSecuritynumberordriver’slicensenumber;and
(E)licenseplatenumberorotheruniqueidentifiersofavehicle
owned,leased,orregularlyusedbyacoveredperson.
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(15)“Publicdefender”meanstheDefenderGeneral,DeputyDefender
General,publicdefenders,ordeputypublicdefendersthatprovidelegal
servicestopersonsinneedassetforthin13V.S.A.chapter163.
(b)Nondisclosureofprotectedinformation.
(1)Acoveredpersonoranauthorizedagentofthecoveredpersonhas
therightthroughthissectiontosendanoticetoadatabrokerrequestingthat
thedatabrokerceasedisclosureorredisclosureofthecoveredperson’s
protectedinformation.
(2)Uponadatabrokerreceivingphysicalorelectronicnoticefroma
coveredperson,oranauthorizedagentofthecoveredperson,requestingthat
thedatabrokerceasedisclosingorredisclosingprotectedinformationofthe
coveredperson,thedatabrokershallceasedisclosingtheprotected
informationnotlaterthan10daysafterreceiptofthenoticeandshallnot
discloseorredisclosetheprotectedinformationafterthattime.
(3)Thenoticeassetforthinsubdivision(2)ofthissubsectionshallbe
inaformprovidedbytheSecretaryofState,exceptthatnopriorverification
ofacoveredperson’sorauthorizedagent’sstatusshallberequiredforthe
notice.TheSecretaryofStateshallpublishtheformofnoticenotlaterthan
90daysafterJuly1,2025,providedthatuntilsuchformispublished,covered
personsandtheirauthorizedagentsmayusetheirownformofwrittennotice
thatreferencesthissection,identifiesthesenderasacoveredpersonoran
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authorizedagentactingonbehalfofacoveredperson,andrequeststhatthe
databrokerceasedisclosureofthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformation.
(4)Adatabrokerthatreceivesanoticefromacoveredpersonorthe
authorizedagentofthecoveredpersonpursuanttosubdivision(2)ofthis
subsectionthatdisclosesorredisclosesthecoveredperson’sprotected
informationmorethan10businessdaysafterreceivingthenoticeisin
violationofthissectionandshallbesubjecttothefollowingpenaltiesina
civilactionbroughtinSuperiorCourtbythecoveredpersonorthecovered
person’sassignee:
(A)damages,calculatedasthegreaterofactualdamagesor
liquidateddamagescomputedattherateof$1,000.00foreachviolationofthis
section;
(B)punitivedamagesuponproofofwillfulorrecklessdisregardof
thelaw;
(C)reasonableattorney’sfeesandotherlitigationcostsreasonably
incurred;and
(D)anyotherpreliminaryandequitablereliefasthecourtdetermines
tobeappropriate.
(5)Inanyjudicialproceedingpursuanttosubdivision(4)ofthis
subsection,thestandardoffaultshallbeordinarynegligence.Itshallnotbea
defensetoliabilityinajudicialproceedingthatthecoveredperson’sprotected
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informationisorwasavailabletothepublicfromothersources,ontheinternet
orotherwise,oravailablebyinspectionofpublicrecords.
(6)Acoveredpersonoranauthorizedagentaccessingadatabroker’s
websiteorotherpublicapplicationforthepurposeofdeterminingwhetherthe
coveredperson’sprotectedinformationisbeingdisclosedshallnot,asaresult
ofsuchaccess,bedeemedtohaveagreedonbehalfofthecoveredpersonto
anywebsitetermsandconditionswithrespecttothecoveredperson’srights
underthissection.
(7)Adisclosureofprotectedinformationshallnotconstituteaviolation
ofthissectionifthedisclosure:
(A)ismadewiththeexpressauthorizationofthecoveredperson,
providedthattheauthorizationisprovidedsubsequenttotherelevant
nondisclosurerequest;or
(B)isforthesolepurposeoffacilitatingatransactioninitiatedbythe
coveredperson.
Sec.3.EFFECTIVEDATE
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.
Sec.1.FINDINGSANDPURPOSE
(a)TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthatVermont’sjudges,prosecutors,law
enforcementofficers,andotherpublicservantsplayanessentialroleinthe
functioningofthegovernmentoftheStateofVermontandthatthenatureof
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theirofficialdutiesregularlyplacesthemindangerofdeath,seriousphysical
injury,andotherreprisalsfrommembersofthepublic.
(b)Violencetoandintimidationofsuchpublicservantsandtheirfamilies
isontheriseandpublicaccesstothepersonalinformationoftheseindividuals
canbeandhasbeenusedtofacilitateviolenceandintimidation.Thepersonal
informationoftheseindividualsisofnegligiblevaluetothepublicinterestor
publicdiscourse.
(c)Accordingly,theprovisionsofthisactarebothnecessaryand
appropriatetoprotecttheprivacy,safety,andsecurityofpublicservantsand
topreventinterferenceintheadministrationofjusticeandtheoperationof
governmentintheStateofVermont.
Sec.2.9V.S.A.chapter62isamendedtoread:
CHAPTER62.PROTECTIONOFPERSONALINFORMATION
***
Subchapter5.DataBrokers
***
§ 2448.NONDISCLOSUREOFCERTAINPUBLICSERVANT
PERSONALINFORMATION
(a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(1)“Assignee”meansapersonorentitytowhomacoveredperson’s
righttobringacivilactionforaviolationofthissectionhasbeenassignedby
thecoveredpersonortheirauthorizedagent.
(2)“Authorizedagent”meansanyofthefollowingpersonsorentities
authorizedtosubmitorrevokearequestfortheredactionornondisclosureof
protectedinformationonbehalfofacoveredpersonandtoengagein
communicationsandenforcementrelatedtotherequest:
(A)adesignatedtrusteeorotheragentpursuanttoawrittenpower
ofattorneyorotherlegalinstrumentonbehalfofanycoveredpersonwhois
physicallyormentallyincapacitated;
(B)aparentorlegalguardianonbehalfofanychildwhoisaminor
andwhoisotherwiseentitledtoaddressredactionornondisclosurepursuant
tothissection;and
(C)apersonorentitywhohasbeenappointedpursuanttoa
notarizeddocumentbyacoveredpersontoactforthecoveredpersonforthe
submissionorrevocationofrequestsforredactionornondisclosureof
protectedinformation.
(3)“Coveredperson”meansanyofthefollowingindividuals:
(A)activeorformerjudges,lawenforcementofficers,federallaw
enforcementofficers,prosecutors,publicdefenders,paroleandprobation
officers,andmembersoftheVermontParoleBoard; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(B)employeesof:
(i)theFamilyServicesDivisionoftheDepartmentforChildren
andFamilies;
(ii)theVermontHumanRightsCommission;
(iii)theDepartmentofCorrections;
(iv)theDepartmentofPublicSafety,includingtheVermontState
Police;
(v)theDepartmentofState’sAttorneysandSheriffs;and
(vi)allcourtsintheState;
(C)investigators,victimadvocates,mentalhealthcrisisworkers,and
embeddedcrisisspecialiststhatareemployedorworkonacontractbasisfor
anyoftheentitieslistedinsubdivision(3)(B)ofthissubsection;and
(D)theimmediatefamilyofindividualsidentifiedinsubdivisions
(A)–(C)ofthissubdivision(3).
(4)“Databroker”hasthesamemeaningassetforthinsection2430of
thistitle.Asusedinthissection,“databroker”shallexcludegovernmental
agenciesandtheirrepresentativesactingintheirofficialcapacities.
(5)“Disclose,”“disclosing,”or“disclosure”meanstosolicit,sell,
manufacture,give,provide,lend,trade,mail,deliver,transfer,post,publish,
distribute,circulate,disseminate,present,exhibit,advertise,offer,orinclude
withinasearchablelistordatabase,regardlessofwhetheranypersonhas BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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actuallysearchedthelistordatabase.“Disclose”doesnotincludean
organizationmaintainingprotectedinformationcompletelyinaccessibleand
unviewabletoanypersonoutsideoftheorganization.
(6)“Federallawenforcementofficer”hasthesamemeaningasin18
U.S.C.§ 115(c)(1)butislimitedtothoseindividualswhoworkorresidein
Vermont.
(7)“Homeaddress”meansapartialorcompletestreetaddressorother
informationthatrevealsahome’slocation,includingtaxparcelID,legal
propertydescription,orgeographiccoordinates.
(8)“Hometelephonenumber”meansanytelephonenumberused
primarilyforpersonalcommunications,includingalandlineorcellular
telephonenumber.
(9)“Immediatefamily”hasthesamemeaningasin3V.S.A.§1201.
(10)“Judge”meansanyjustice,judge,ormagistrateofaStatecourtor
ofafederalcourtlocatedinVermont,oranypersonwhoservesasajudge,
justice,ormagistrateinanotherstatewhomaintainsahomeaddressin
Vermont.
(11)“Lawenforcementofficer”hasthesamemeaningasin20V.S.A.
§ 2351a.
(12)“Paroleandprobationofficer”means: BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(A)acorrectionsservicesspecialistemployedbytheDepartmentof
Corrections;or
(B)aparoleorprobationofficeremployedbyaVermontcountyor
municipality.
(13)“Prosecutor”meansaVermontState’sAttorneyorDeputyState’s
Attorney,theAttorneyGeneraloranAssistantAttorneyGeneral,oraU.S.
AttorneyoranAssistantU.S.AttorneywhoworksinVermont.
(14)“Protectedinformation”meansacoveredperson’s:
(A)homeaddress,includingprimaryresidenceandanysecondary
residences;
(B)hometelephonenumber;
(C)personalemailaddress;
(D)SocialSecuritynumberordriver’slicensenumber;and
(E)licenseplatenumberorotheruniqueidentifiersofavehicle
owned,leased,orregularlyusedbyacoveredperson.
(15)“Publicdefender”meanstheDefenderGeneral,DeputyDefender
General,publicdefenders,ordeputypublicdefenderswhoprovidelegal
servicestopersonsinneedassetforthin13V.S.A.chapter163.
(b)Nondisclosureofprotectedinformation.
(1)Acoveredpersonoranauthorizedagentofthecoveredpersonhas
therightthroughthissectiontosendanoticetoadatabrokerrequestingthat BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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thedatabrokerceasedisclosureorredisclosureofthecoveredperson’s
protectedinformation.
(2)Uponadatabrokerreceivingphysicalorelectronicnoticefroma
coveredperson,oranauthorizedagentofthecoveredperson,requestingthat
thedatabrokerceasedisclosingorredisclosingprotectedinformationofthe
coveredperson,thedatabrokershallceasedisclosingtheprotected
informationnotlaterthan15daysafterreceiptofthenoticeandshallnot
discloseorredisclosetheprotectedinformationafterthattime.
(3)Thenoticeassetforthinsubdivision(2)ofthissubsectionshallbe
inaformprovidedbytheSecretaryofState,exceptthatnopriorverificationof
acoveredperson’sorauthorizedagent’sstatusshallberequiredforthe
notice.TheSecretaryofStateshallpublishtheformofnoticenotlaterthan90
daysafterJuly1,2025,providedthatuntilsuchformispublished,covered
personsandtheirauthorizedagentsmayusetheirownformofwrittennotice
thatreferencesthissection,identifiesthesenderasacoveredpersonoran
authorizedagentactingonbehalfofacoveredperson,andrequeststhatthe
databrokerceasedisclosureofthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformation.
(c)Remedies.
(1)Adatabrokerthatreceivesanoticefromacoveredpersonorthe
authorizedagentofthecoveredpersonpursuanttosubdivision(b)(2)ofthis BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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sectionthatdisclosesorredisclosesthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformation
morethan:
(A)15daysafterreceivingthenoticeisinviolationofthissection
andshallbesubjecttoaninjunctioninacivilactionbroughtinSuperior
Courtbythecoveredpersonorthecoveredperson’sassignee;or
(B)30daysafterreceivingthenoticeisinviolationofthissection
andshallbesubjecttothefollowingremediesinacivilactionbroughtin
SuperiorCourtbythecoveredpersonorthecoveredperson’sassignee:
(i)damages,calculatedasthegreaterofactualdamagesor
liquidateddamagescomputedattherateof$1,000.00foreachviolationof
thissection;
(ii)punitivedamagesuponproofofwillfulorrecklessdisregardof
thelaw;
(iii)reasonableattorney’sfeesandotherlitigationcosts
reasonablyincurred;and
(iv)anyotherpreliminaryandequitablereliefasthecourt
determinestobeappropriate.
(2)Inanyjudicialproceedingpursuanttosubdivision(1)ofthis
subsection,thestandardoffaultshallbeordinarynegligence.Itshallnotbea
defensetoliabilityinajudicialproceedingthatthecoveredperson’sprotected BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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informationisorwasavailabletothepublicfromothersources,onthe
internetorotherwise,oravailablebyinspectionofpublicrecords.
(d)Accessinginformation.Acoveredpersonoranauthorizedagent
accessingadatabroker’swebsiteorotherpublicapplicationforthepurpose
ofdeterminingwhetherthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformationisbeing
disclosedshallnot,asaresultofsuchaccess,bedeemedtohaveagreedon
behalfofthecoveredpersontoanywebsitetermsandconditionswithrespect
tothecoveredperson’srightsunderthissection.
(e)Limitations.
(1)Adisclosureofprotectedinformationshallnotconstituteaviolation
ofthissectionifthedisclosureis:
(A)madewiththeexpressauthorizationofthecoveredperson,
providedthattheauthorizationisprovidedsubsequenttotherelevant
nondisclosurerequest;or
(B)forthesolepurposeoffacilitatingatransactioninitiatedbythe
coveredperson.
(2)Thissectiondoesnotapplytoadatabrokerinadisclosurepursuant
tosubdivision(1)ofthissubsection.
(3)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedasprohibitinganemployer
fromprovidingemployeeinformationtotheVermontLaborRelationsBoardor
toemployeeorganizationsthatisrequiredunderVermontlaw. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(4)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtorequireadatabrokerto
deleteprotectedinformation.
Sec.3.DELAYEDSTARTFORCERTAINREMEDIES
Theremediesprovidedtoacoveredpersonpursuantto9V.S.A.
§ 2448(c)(1)(B)shalltakeeffectonJanuary1,2026.
Sec.4.EFFECTIVEDATE
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.
Sec.1.FINDINGSANDPURPOSE
(a)TheGeneralAssemblyfindsthatVermont’sjudges,prosecutors,law
enforcementofficers,andotherpublicservantsplayanessentialroleinthe
functioningofthegovernmentoftheStateofVermontandthatthenatureof
theirofficialdutiesregularlyplacesthemindangerofdeath,seriousphysical
injury,andotherreprisalsfrommembersofthepublic.
(b)Violencetoandintimidationofsuchpublicservantsandtheirfamilies
isontheriseandpublicaccesstothepersonalinformationoftheseindividuals
canbeandhasbeenusedtofacilitateviolenceandintimidation.Thepersonal
informationoftheseindividualsisofnegligiblevaluetothepublicinterestor
publicdiscourse.
(c)Accordingly,theprovisionsofthisactarebothnecessaryand
appropriatetoprotecttheprivacy,safety,andsecurityofpublicservantsand BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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topreventinterferenceintheadministrationofjusticeandtheoperationof
governmentintheStateofVermont.
Sec.2.9V.S.A.chapter62isamendedtoread:
CHAPTER62.PROTECTIONOFPERSONALINFORMATION
***
Subchapter5.DataBrokers
***
§ 2448.NONDISCLOSUREOFCERTAINPUBLICSERVANT
PERSONALINFORMATION
(a)Definitions.Asusedinthissection:
(1)“Authorizedagent”meansanyofthefollowingpersonsorentities
authorizedtosubmitorrevokearequestfortheredactionornondisclosureof
protectedinformationonbehalfofacoveredpersonandtoengagein
communicationsandenforcementrelatedtotherequest:
(A)adesignatedtrusteeorotheragentpursuanttoawrittenpower
ofattorneyorotherlegalinstrumentonbehalfofanycoveredpersonwhois
physicallyormentallyincapacitated;
(B)aparentorlegalguardianonbehalfofanychildwhoisaminor
andwhoisotherwiseentitledtoaddressredactionornondisclosurepursuant
tothissection;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(C)apersonorentitywhohasbeenappointedpursuanttoa
notarizeddocumentbyacoveredpersontoactforthecoveredpersonforthe
submissionorrevocationofrequestsforredactionornondisclosureof
protectedinformation.
(2)(A)“Coveredperson”meansanyofthefollowingindividualswho
areeithercurrentlyorformerly:
(i)ajudge,lawenforcementofficer,federallawenforcement
officer,prosecutor,publicdefender,paroleandprobationofficer,ormemberof
theVermontParoleBoard;
(ii)anemployeeof:
(I)theFamilyServicesDivisionoftheDepartmentforChildren
andFamilies;
(II)theVermontHumanRightsCommission;
(III)theDepartmentofCorrections;
(IV)theDepartmentofPublicSafety,includingtheVermont
StatePolice;
(V)theDepartmentofState’sAttorneysandSheriffs;or
(VI)anycourtintheState;and
(iii)aninvestigator,victimsadvocate,mentalhealthcrisisworker,
orembeddedcrisisspecialistthatisemployedbyorworksonacontractbasis
foranyoftheentitieslistedinsubdivision(ii)ofthissubdivision(a)(2)(A). BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(B)“Coveredperson”alsoincludestheimmediatefamilyof
individualsidentifiedinsubdivisions(A)(i)–(iii)ofthissubdivision(a)(2).
(3)“Databroker”hasthesamemeaningassetforthinsection2430of
thistitle.Asusedinthissection,“databroker”excludesgovernmental
agenciesandtheirrepresentativesactingintheirofficialcapacities.
(4)“Disclose,”“disclosing,”or“disclosure”meanstosolicit,sell,
manufacture,give,provide,lend,trade,mail,deliver,transfer,post,publish,
distribute,circulate,disseminate,present,exhibit,advertise,offer,orinclude
withinasearchablelistordatabase,regardlessofwhetheranypersonhas
actuallysearchedthelistordatabase.“Disclose”doesnotincludean
organizationmaintainingprotectedinformationcompletelyinaccessibleand
unviewabletoanypersonoutsideoftheorganization.
(5)“Federallawenforcementofficer”hasthesamemeaningasin18
U.S.C.§ 115(c)(1)butislimitedtothoseindividualswhoworkorresidein
Vermont.
(6)“Homeaddress”meansapartialorcompletestreetaddressorother
informationthatrevealsahome’slocation,includingtaxparcelID,legal
propertydescription,orgeographiccoordinates.
(7)“Hometelephonenumber”meansanytelephonenumberused
primarilyforpersonalcommunications,includingalandlineorcellular
telephonenumber. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(8)“Immediatefamily”hasthesamemeaningasin3V.S.A.§1201.
(9)“Judge”meansanyjustice,judge,ormagistrateofaStatecourtor
ofafederalcourtlocatedinVermont,oranypersonwhoservesasajudge,
justice,ormagistrateinanotherstatewhomaintainsahomeaddressin
Vermont.
(10)“Lawenforcementofficer”hasthesamemeaningasin20V.S.A.
§ 2351a.
(11)“Paroleandprobationofficer”means:
(A)acorrectionsservicesspecialistemployedbytheDepartmentof
Corrections;or
(B)aparoleorprobationofficeremployedbyaVermontcountyor
municipality.
(12)“Prosecutor”meansaVermontState’sAttorneyorDeputyState’s
Attorney,theAttorneyGeneraloranAssistantAttorneyGeneral,oraU.S.
AttorneyoranAssistantU.S.AttorneywhoworksinVermont.
(13)“Protectedinformation”meansacoveredperson’s:
(A)homeaddress,includingprimaryresidenceandanysecondary
residences;
(B)hometelephonenumber;
(C)personalemailaddress;
(D)SocialSecuritynumberordriver’slicensenumber;and BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(E)licenseplatenumberorotheruniqueidentifiersofavehicle
owned,leased,orregularlyusedbyacoveredperson.
(14)“Publicdefender”meanstheDefenderGeneral,DeputyDefender
General,publicdefenders,ordeputypublicdefenderswhoprovidelegal
servicestopersonsinneedassetforthin13V.S.A.chapter163.
(b)Nondisclosureofprotectedinformation.
(1)Acoveredpersonoranauthorizedagentofthecoveredpersonhas
therightthroughthissectiontosendanoticetoadatabrokerrequestingthat
thedatabrokerceasedisclosureorredisclosureofthecoveredperson’s
protectedinformation.
(2)Uponadatabrokerreceivingphysicalorelectronicnoticefroma
coveredperson,oranauthorizedagentofthecoveredperson,requestingthat
thedatabrokerceasedisclosingorredisclosingprotectedinformationofthe
coveredperson,thedatabrokershallceasedisclosingtheprotected
informationnotlaterthan15daysafterreceiptofthenoticeandshallnot
discloseorredisclosetheprotectedinformationafterthattime.
(3)Thenoticeassetforthinsubdivision(2)ofthissubsectionshallbe
inaformandmannerprovidedbytheAttorneyGeneral,exceptthat:
(A)thenoticeshallrequirethatthecoveredpersonprovidethe
coveredperson’sfullnamealongwiththespecificprotectedinformationofthe
coveredpersonthatisbeingdisclosedbythedatabroker; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(B)nopriorverificationofacoveredperson’sorauthorizedagent’s
statusshallberequiredforthenotice;and
(C)thenoticeshallincludeadisclaimerthatceasingdisclosureofa
coveredperson’sprotectedinformationmay:
(i)complicatecertainbusinesstransactions;and
(ii)notresultinthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformationbeing
totallyremovedfromtheinternet.
(c)Penaltiesforviolations.
(1)AttorneyGeneralenforcement.
(A)Adatabrokerthatreceivesanoticefromacoveredpersonorthe
authorizedagentofthecoveredpersonpursuanttosubdivision(b)(2)ofthis
sectionthatdisclosesorredisclosesthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformation
morethan15daysafterreceivingthenoticeisinviolationofthissectionand
shallbeassessedacivilpenaltyofnotmorethan$10,000.00foreach
violation.
(B)TheAttorneyGeneralhasthesameauthoritytoadoptrulesto
implementtheprovisionsofthissectionandtoconductcivilinvestigations,
enterintoassurancesofdiscontinuance,bringcivilactions,andtakeother
enforcementactionsasprovidedunderchapter63,subchapter1ofthistitle.
(C)TheAttorneyGeneralshallcreateaformonitswebsitewherea
coveredpersonoranauthorizedagentofthecoveredpersonisabletoprovide BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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noticetotheAttorneyGeneralthatmorethan15dayshavepassedsincethe
coveredpersonoranauthorizedagentofthecoveredpersonsubmitteda
noticetoadatabrokerpursuanttosubdivision(b)(2)ofthissectionandthat
thedatabrokercontinuestodiscloseorhasredisclosedthecoveredperson’s
protectedinformation.Thisformshallrequire,atminimum,thatthecovered
personprovidethenameofthe:
(i)databroker;and
(ii)coveredpersonandthespecificprotectedinformationofthe
coveredpersonthatisbeingdisclosedbythedatabroker.
(2)Privateaction.
(A)Subjecttotherequirementsinsubdivision(B)ofthissubdivision
(2),adatabrokerthatreceivesanoticefromacoveredpersonorthe
authorizedagentofthecoveredpersonpursuanttosubdivision(b)(2)ofthis
sectionandthatdisclosesorredisclosesthecoveredperson’sprotected
informationmorethan15daysafterreceivingthenoticeisinviolationofthis
sectionandissubjecttoacivilactionbroughtinSuperiorCourtbythe
coveredpersonforthefollowing:
(i)damages,calculatedasthegreaterofactualdamagesor
liquidateddamagescomputedattherateof$1,000.00foreachviolationof
thissection; BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(ii)punitivedamagesuponproofofwillfulorrecklessdisregardof
thelaw;
(iii)reasonableattorney’sfeesandotherlitigationcosts
reasonablyincurred;and
(iv)anyotherpreliminaryandequitablereliefasthecourt
determinestobeappropriate.
(B)Adatabrokerthatceasesdisclosingtheprotectedinformationof
acoveredpersonnotmorethan15daysafterbeingservedwithprocessina
civilsuitbroughtbythecoveredpersonpursuanttosubdivision(A)ofthis
subdivision(2)shallonlybeliabletothecoveredpersonforreasonable
attorney’sfeesandcourtcostsinthecivilaction.Adatabrokerisnoteligible
fortheexceptionprovidedthissubdivision(B)ifthedatabroker:
(i)morethan15daysafterreceivingnoticefromacoveredperson
ortheauthorizedagentofacoveredpersonpursuanttosubdivision(b)(2)of
thissectiondisclosesadditionalprotectedinformationofthecoveredperson;
or
(ii)redisclosesprotectedinformationofthecoveredpersonafter
havingreceivednoticepursuanttosubdivision(b)(2)ofthissection.
(3)Standardoffault.Inanyjudicialproceedingpursuanttothis
section,thestandardoffaultshallbeordinarynegligence.Itshallnotbea
defensetoliabilityinajudicialproceedingthatthecoveredperson’sprotected BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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informationisorwasavailabletothepublicfromothersources,onthe
internetorotherwise,oravailablebyinspectionofpublicrecords.
(d)Accessinginformation.Acoveredpersonoranauthorizedagent
accessingadatabroker’swebsiteorotherpublicapplicationforthepurpose
ofdeterminingwhetherthecoveredperson’sprotectedinformationisbeing
disclosedshallnot,asaresultofsuchaccess,bedeemedtohaveagreedon
behalfofthecoveredpersontoanywebsitetermsandconditionswithrespect
tothecoveredperson’srightsunderthissection.
(e)Limitations.
(1)Adisclosureofprotectedinformationshallnotconstituteaviolation
ofthissectionifthedisclosureis:
(A)madewiththeexpressorstandingauthorizationofthecovered
person,providedthattheauthorizationisprovidedsubsequenttotherelevant
nondisclosurerequest;or
(B)forthesolepurposeoffacilitatingatransactioninitiatedbythe
coveredperson.
(2)Thissectiondoesnotapplytoadatabrokerinadisclosurepursuant
tosubdivision(1)ofthissubsection.
(3)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedasprohibitinganemployer
fromprovidingemployeeinformationtotheVermontLaborRelationsBoardor
toemployeeorganizationsthatisrequiredunderVermontlaw. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(4)Nothinginthissectionshallbeconstruedtorequireadatabrokerto
deleteprotectedinformation.
Sec.3.FORMOFNOTICE
TheAttorneyGeneralshallpublishtheformofnoticepursuantto9V.S.A.
§ 2448(b)(3)notlaterthan90daysafterJuly1,2025,providedthatuntilsuch
formispublished,coveredpersonsandtheirauthorizedagentsmayusetheir
ownformofwrittennoticethat:
(1)referencesthissection;
(2)identifiesthesenderasacoveredpersonoranauthorizedagent
actingonbehalfofacoveredperson;
(3)providesthecoveredperson’sfullnamealongwiththespecific
protectedinformationofthecoveredpersonthatisbeingdisclosedbythedata
broker;and
(4)requeststhatthedatabrokerceasedisclosingthespecificprotected
informationofthecoveredperson.
Sec.4.STUDYANDREPORTONPUBLICAGENCYCOMPLIANCE
(a)Study.TheAgencyofDigitalServices,inconsultationwiththeAgency
ofAdministration,theOfficeoftheSecretaryofState,theOfficeofthe
AttorneyGeneral,andwithotherStateagenciesasrequestedbytheAgency,
shallconductastudytodeterminethevariousconsiderationsandimpactson
Statepublicagenciesifpublicagencieswererequiredtoconformtothe BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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disclosurepoliciessetforthinthisact.TheAgencyshallmeetwithand
receiveinputfromrelevantstakeholdersinconductingitsstudy,includingthe
VermontLeagueofCitiesandTownsandtheVermontMunicipalClerks’and
Treasurers’Association.TheAgencyshallconsiderthefollowinginitsstudy:
(1)ifpublicagencieswererequiredtoceasedisclosingtheprotected
informationofcoveredpersons:
(A)theextenttowhichpublicagencieswouldcurrentlybeableto
accommodatetheserequests;
(B)thefiscalandresourceimpactonpublicagencies;
(C)whetheradditionalstaffingortrainingwouldbeneededto
comply;
(D)thedegreetowhichriskcanbemitigatedthroughStateorlocal
policy;and
(E)determiningwhichstatutes,regulations,andadministrative
policiesrequireamendinginordertoaccomplishthegoalofpublicagencies
beingabletoceasethedisclosureofprotectedinformationofcoveredpersons;
(2)howotherstateshaveimplementedsimilarrequirementsontheir
publicagencies,includingthetypesofpenaltiesleviedfornoncompliance;
(3)thefeasibilityofcreatingaStateofficetomanageallstatewide
requeststoceasedisclosingprotectedinformation;and
(4)anyadditionalrelatedareasofstudyasdeterminedbytheAgency. BILLASPASSEDBYTHEHOUSE H.342
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(b)Report.OnorbeforeDecember1,2026,theAgencyofDigitalServices
shallsubmitawrittenreporttotheHouseCommitteeonGovernment
OperationsandMilitaryAffairsandtheSenateCommitteeonGovernment
Operationswithasummaryofitsfindingspursuanttothestudysetforthin
subsection(a)ofthissection.TheAgencyshallalsoincludeinitsreportits
recommendationsforlegislativeactionandpolicymodificationaswellasa
suggestedtimelinefortheimplementationofthedisclosurepoliciesonpublic
agencies.
Sec.5.DELAYEDSTARTFORPRIVATEACTION
Theprivateactionprovidedtoacoveredpersonpursuantto9V.S.A.
§ 2448(c)(2)shalltakeeffectonJanuary1,2026.
Sec.6.EFFECTIVEDATE
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.