BILL AS INTRODUCED H.380
2025 Page 1 of 3
VT LEG #381143 v.1
H.380 1
Introduced by Representatives Noyes of Wolcott and Yacovone of Morristown 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Crimes; criminal procedure; conditions of release; violations 5
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to enhance the 6
penalty for a violation of conditions of release to a felony and to fully staff the 7
Department of Corrections’ pretrial supervision program. 8
An act relating to creating a felony penalty for a violation of conditions of 9
release and to staff the pretrial supervision program 10
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 11
Sec. 1. 13 V.S.A. § 7559 is amended to read: 12
§ 7559. VIOLATIONS OF CONDITIONS OF RELEASE; FAILURE TO 13
APPEAR; WARRANTLESS ARREST 14
(a) The State’s Attorney may commence a prosecution for criminal 15
contempt under Rule 42 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure against a 16
person who violates a condition of release imposed under section 7554 of this 17
title. The maximum penalty that may be imposed under this section shall be a 18
fine of $1,000.00 or imprisonment for six months not more than three years, or 19
both. 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.380
2025 Page 2 of 3
VT LEG #381143 v.1
* * * 1
(c) A person who has been released pursuant to section 7554 of this title 2
with or without bail on condition that the person appear at a specified time and 3
place in connection with a prosecution for an offense and who without just 4
cause fails to appear shall be imprisoned not more than two three years or fined 5
not more than $5,000.00, or both. 6
* * * 7
Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; POSITIONS; 8
APPROPRIATION 9
(a) To the extent funds are available, 12 new, permanent, classified Pretrial 10
Supervision Officers are created in fiscal year 2026 within the Department of 11
Corrections. In addition to any other duties deemed appropriate by the 12
Commissioner of Corrections, the Pretrial Supervision Officers shall supervise 13
Pretrial Supervision Program participants in accordance with 13 V.S.A. 14
§ 7555. 15
(b) To the extent funds are available, two new, permanent, classified 16
administrative support positions are created in fiscal year 2026 within the 17
Department of Corrections. In addition to any other duties deemed appropriate 18
by the Commissioner of Corrections, the administrative support positions shall 19
assist in the administration and operation of the Pretrial Supervision Program 20
in accordance with 13 V.S.A. § 7555. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.380
2025 Page 3 of 3
VT LEG #381143 v.1
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 1
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 2