BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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S.109
IntroducedbySenatorHashim
ReferredtoCommitteeonJudiciary
Date:March11,2025
Subject:Courtprocedure;criminalprocedure;miscellaneousamendments
Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestomakea
numberofmiscellaneousamendmentsrelatedtocivilandcriminalprocedure
statutes.
Anactrelatingtomiscellaneousjudiciaryprocedures
ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont:
Sec.1.3V.S.A.§ 164isamendedtoread:
§164.ADULTCOURTDIVERSIONPROGRAM
(a)Purpose.
(1)TheAttorneyGeneralshalldevelopandadministeranadultcourt
diversionprogram,forbothpre-chargeandpost-chargereferrals,availablein
allcounties.
(2)Theprogramshallbedesignedtoprovidearestorativeoptionfor
personsallegedtohavecausedharminviolationofacriminalstatuteorwho
havebeenchargedwithviolatingacriminalstatuteaswellasforvictimsor
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thoseactingonavictim’sbehalfwhohavebeenallegedlyharmedbythe
responsiblepartypersonreferredtotheprogram.Thediversionprogramcan
acceptreferralstotheprogramasfollows:
***
(c)Adultdiversionprogrampolicyandreferralrequirements.
***
(3)Adultpost-chargediversionrequirements.EachState’sAttorney,
incooperationwiththeOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralandtheadultpost-
chargediversionprogram,shalldevelopclearcriteriafordecidingwhattypes
ofoffensesandoffenderswillbeeligiblefordiversion;however,theState’s
Attorneyshallretainfinaldiscretionoverthereferralofeachcasefor
diversion.Alladultpost-chargediversionprogramsreceivingfinancial
assistancefromtheAttorneyGeneralshalladheretothefollowing:
(A)Thepost-chargediversionprogramforadultsshallonly
acceptpersonsagainstwhomchargeshavebeenfiledandthecourthasfound
probablecause,butarenotadjudicated.
(B)Aprosecutormayreferapersontodiversioneitherbeforeor
afterarraignmentandshallnotifyinwritingthediversionprogramandthe
courtoftheprosecutor’softhereferraltodiversion.
***
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20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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Sec.2.4V.S.A.§ 71isamendedtoread:
§71.APPOINTMENTANDTERMOFSUPERIORJUDGES
(a)Thereshallbe34Superiorjudges,whosetermofofficeshall,The
numberofSuperiorJudgesshallbeasdeterminedbytheGeneralAssembly.
ThetermofofficeofaSuperiorJudgeshall,exceptinthecaseofan
appointmenttofillavacancyorunexpiredterm,beginonApril1intheyear
oftheirappointmentorretentionandcontinueforsixyears.
***
Sec.3.4V.S.A.§ 1102isamendedtoread:
§1102.JUDICIALBUREAU;JURISDICTION
(a)TheJudicialBureauiscreatedwithintheJudicialBranchunderthe
supervisionoftheSupremeCourt.
(b)TheJudicialBureaushallhavejurisdictionofthefollowingmatters:
***
(4)Violationsof7V.S.A.§1005,relatingtopossessionand
procurementoftobaccoproductsbyapersonunder21yearsofage.
***
Sec.4.4V.S.A.§ 1106isamendedtoread:
§1106.HEARING
***
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(d)AUnlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,alawenforcementofficermay
voidoramendacomplaintissuedbythatofficerbysomarkingthecomplaint
andreturningittotheBureau,regardlessofwhethertheamendedcomplaintis
alesserincludedviolation.Atthehearing,alawenforcementofficermay,
unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,voidoramendacomplaintissuedbythat
officerinthediscretionofthatofficer.
***
Sec.5.7V.S.A.§ 1005(c)isamendedtoread:
(c)Apersonunder21yearsofagewhomisrepresentshisorherthe
person’sagebypresentingfalseidentificationtopurchasetobaccoproducts,
tobaccosubstitutes,ortobaccoparaphernaliashallbefinedsubjecttoacivil
penaltyofnotmorethan$50.00orprovideupto10hoursofcommunity
service,orboth.
Sec.6.13V.S.A.§ 5351(7)isamendedtoread:
(7)“Victim”means:
(A)apersonwhosustainsinjuryordeathasadirectresultofthe
commissionorattemptedcommissionofacrime;
(B)anintervenorwhoisphysicallyinjuredorkilledinanattemptto
assistthepersondescribedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(7)orthe
police;
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20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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(C)asurvivingimmediatefamilymemberofahomicidevictim,
includingaspouse,domesticpartner,parent,sibling,child,grandparent,or
othersurvivorwhomaysuffersevereemotionalharmasaresultofthe
victim’sdeathasdeterminedonacase-by-casebasisinthediscretionofthe
Board;or
(D)aresidentofthisStatewhoisinjuredorkilledastheresultofa
crimecommittedoutsidetheUnitedStates.
Sec.7.13V.S.A.§ 7282isamendedtoread:
§7282.SURCHARGE
***
(c)SIUsurcharge.Inadditiontoanypenaltyorfineimposedbythecourt
foracriminaloffensecommittedafterJuly1,2009,theclerkofthecourtshall
levyanadditionalsurchargeof$100.00tobedepositedintheGeneralFund,in
supportoftheSpecializedInvestigativeUnitGrantsBoardcreatedin24
V.S.A.§1940(c),andusedtopayforthecostsofSpecializedInvestigative
Units.
Sec.8.12V.S.A.§ 5135(b)isamendedtoread:
(b)Adefendantwhoattendsahearingheldundersection5133or5134of
thistitleatwhichatemporaryorfinalorderunderthischapterisissuedand
whoreceivesnoticefromthecourtontherecordthattheorderhasbeenissued
shallbedeemedtohavebeenserved.Adefendantnotifiedbythecourtonthe
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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recordshallberequiredtoadhereimmediatelytotheprovisionsoftheorder.
However,evenwhenthecourthaspreviouslynotifiedthedefendantofthe
order,thecourtshalltransmittheorderforadditionalservicebyalaw
enforcementagency.Theclerkshallmailacopyoftheordertothedefendant
atthedefendant’slastknownaddress.
Sec.9.14V.S.A.§ 2isamendedtoread:
§2.DEPOSITOFWILLFORSAFEKEEPING;DELIVERY;FINAL
DISPOSITION
(a)AwillmaybedepositedforsafekeepingintheProbateDivisionofthe
SuperiorCourtforthedistrictinwhichthetestatorresidesonpaymenttothe
courtoftheapplicablefeerequiredby32V.S.A.§1434(a)(17)32V.S.A.
§ 1434(a)(18).Theregistershallgivetothetestatorareceipt,shallsafely
keepeachwillsodeposited,andshallkeepanindexofthewillssodeposited.
***
Sec.10.14V.S.A.§ 931isamendedtoread:
§931.LIMITATIONSONCLAIMSOFCREDITORS
Allclaimsagainstthedecedent’sestatethatarosebeforethedeathofthe
decedent,includingclaimsoftheStateandanysubdivisionthereofexcept
claimsfiledbytheStateonbehalfofVermontMedicaid,absoluteor
contingent,liquidatedorunliquidated,foundedoncontract,tort,orotherlegal
basis,ifnotbarredearlierbyotherstatuteoflimitations,arebarredagainstthe
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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estate,thelegalrepresentativeoftheestate,andtheheirsanddeviseesofthe
decedent,unlesspresentedwithinoneyearafterthedecedent’sdeath.Nothing
inthissectionaffectsorpreventsanyproceedingtoenforceanymortgage,
pledge,orotherlienuponthepropertyoftheestate.ClaimsfiledbytheState
onbehalfofVermontMedicaidmustbefiledinaccordancewithsubsection
1203(d)ofthistitle.Thissectionshallnotbeconstruedtoaffecttheperiodof
limitationsapplicabletoaclaimunder12V.S.A.§ 557.
Sec.11.14V.S.A.§ 3068isamendedtoread:
§3068.HEARING
***
(e)(1)Ifuponcompletionofthehearingandconsiderationoftherecordthe
courtfindsthattherespondentisnotapersoninneedofguardianship,itshall
dismissthepetitionandsealtherecordsoftheproceeding.
(2)Ifamotiontowithdrawthepetitionismadebeforethefinalhearing,
thecourtshalldismissthepetitionandsealtherecordsoftheproceeding.
(f)Ifuponcompletionofthehearingandconsiderationoftherecordthe
courtfindsthatthepetitionerhasprovedbyclearandconvincingevidencethat
therespondentisapersoninneedofguardianshiporwillbeapersoninneed
ofguardianshiponattaining18yearsofage,itshallenterjudgmentspecifying
thepowersoftheguardianpursuanttosections3069and3070ofthistitleand
thedutiesoftheguardianpursuanttosection3071ofthistitle.
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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(g)Anypartytotheproceedingbeforethecourtmayappealthecourt’s
decisioninthemannerprovidedinsection3080ofthistitle.
Sec.12.14V.S.A.§ 4051isamendedtoread:
§4051.STATUTORYFORMPOWEROFATTORNEY
Adocumentsubstantiallyinthefollowingformmaybeusedtocreatea
statutoryformpowerofattorneythathasthemeaningandeffectprescribedby
thischapter.
VERMONTSTATUTORYFORMPOWEROFATTORNEYIMPORTANT
INFORMATION
***
GRANTOFSPECIFICAUTHORITY(OPTIONAL)
MyagentMAYNOTdoanyofthefollowingspecificactsformeUNLESSI
haveINITIALEDthespecificauthoritylistedbelow:
(CAUTION:Grantinganyofthefollowingwillgiveyouragenttheauthority
totakeactionsthatcouldsignificantlyreduceyourpropertyorchangehow
yourpropertyisdistributedatyourdeath.INITIALONLYthespecific
authorityyouWANTtogiveyouragent.)
()Anagentwhoisnotanancestor,spouse,ordescendantmayexercise
authorityunderthispowerofattorneytocreateintheagentorinanindividual
towhomtheagentowesalegalobligationofsupportaninterestinmy
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20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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propertywhetherbygift,rightsofsurvivorship,beneficiarydesignation,
disclaimer,orotherwise
()Create,amend,revoke,orterminateanintervivos,family,living,
irrevocable,orrevocabletrust
()Consenttothemodificationorterminationofanoncharitableirrevocable
trustunder14AV.S.A.§411
()Makeagift,subjecttothelimitationsof14V.S.A.§4047(gifts)andany
specialinstructionsinthispowerofattorney
()Consenttothemodificationorterminationofanoncharitableirrevocable
trustunder14AV.S.A.§411
()Create,amend,orchangerightsofsurvivorship
()Create,amend,orchangeabeneficiarydesignation
()Waivetheprincipal’srighttobeabeneficiaryofajointandsurvivor
annuity,includingasurvivorbenefitunderaretirementplan
()Exercisefiduciarypowersthattheprincipalhasauthoritytodelegate
()Authorizeanotherpersontoexercisetheauthoritygrantedunderthispower
ofattorney
()Disclaimorrefuseaninterestinproperty,includingapowerofappointment
()Exerciseauthoritywithrespecttoelectiveshareunder14V.S.A.§319
()Exercisewaiverrightsunder14V.S.A.§323
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20 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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()Exerciseauthorityoverthecontentandcatalogueofelectronic
communicationsanddigitalassetsunder14V.S.A.chapter125(Vermont
RevisedUniformFiduciaryAccesstoDigitalAssetsAct)
()Exerciseauthoritywithrespecttointellectualproperty,including,without
limitation,copyrights,contractsforpaymentofroyalties,andtrademarks
()Convey,orrevokeorreviseagranteedesignation,byenhancedlifeestate
deedpursuantto27V.S.A.chapter6orundercommonlaw.
***
Sec.13.14AV.S.A.§ 1316isamendedtoread:
§1316.OFFICEOFTRUSTDIRECTOR
Unlessthetermsofatrustprovideotherwise,therulesapplicabletoa
trusteeapplytoatrustdirectorregardingthefollowingmatters:
(1)acceptanceundersection701ofthistitle;
(2)givingofbondtosecureperformanceundersection702ofthistitle;
(3)reasonablecompensationundersection708ofthistitle;
(4)resignationundersection705ofthistitle;
(5)removalundersection706ofthistitle;and
(6)vacancyandappointmentofsuccessorundersection704ofthistitle.
Sec.14.33V.S.A.§ 5204(b)(2)(A)isamendedtoread:
(2)(A)(i)TheFamilyDivisionoftheSuperiorCourtshallholdahearing
undersubsection(c)ofthissectiontodeterminewhetherjurisdictionshouldbe
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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transferredtotheCriminalDivisionundersubsection(a)ofthissectionifthe
delinquentactsetforthinthepetitionis:
(I)[Repealed.]
(II)humantraffickingoraggravatedhumantraffickingin
violationof13V.S.A.§2652or2653;
(III)defacingafirearm’sserialnumberinviolationof13
V.S.A.§402413V.S.A.§4026;or
(IV)strawpurchasingoffirearminviolationof13V.S.A.
§ 4025;and
(ii)thechildhadattained16yearsofagebutnot19yearsofage
atthetimetheactwasallegedtohaveoccurred.
Sec.15.33V.S.A.§ 5225isamendedtoread:
§5225.PRELIMINARYHEARING;RISKASSESSMENT
(a)Preliminaryhearing.Apreliminaryhearingshallbeheldatthetime
anddatespecifiedonthecitationorasotherwiseorderedbythecourt.Ifa
childistakenintocustodypriortothepreliminaryhearing,thepreliminary
hearingshallbeatthetimeofthetemporarycarehearing.Counselforthe
childshallbeassignedpriortothepreliminaryhearing.
(b)Riskandneedsscreening.
(1)Priortothepreliminaryhearing,thechildshallbeaffordedan
opportunitytoundergoariskandneedsscreening,whichshallbeconducted
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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bytheDepartmentorbyacommunityproviderthathascontractedwiththe
Departmenttoprovideriskandneedscreeningsforchildrenallegedtohave
committeddelinquentacts.
(2)Ifthechildparticipatesinsuchascreening,theDepartmentorthe
communityprovidershallreporttherisklevelresultofthescreening,the
numberandsourceofthecollateralcontactsmade,andtherecommendation
forchargingorotheralternativestotheState’sAttorney.TheState’sAttorney
shallconsidertheresultsoftheriskandneedsscreeningindetermining
whethertofileacharge.Inlieuoffilingacharge,theState’sAttorneymay
referachilddirectlytoayouth-appropriatecommunity-basedproviderthathas
beenapprovedbytheDepartment,whichmayincludepre-chargediversion
pursuantto3V.S.A.§ 163,acommunityjusticecenterorabalancedand
restorativejusticeprogram.Referraltoacommunity-basedproviderpursuant
tothissubsectionshallnotrequiretheState’sAttorneytofileacharge.Ifthe
community-basedproviderdoesnotacceptthecaseorifthechildfailsto
completetheprograminamannerdeemedsatisfactoryandtimelybythe
provider,thechild’scaseshallreturntotheState’sAttorneyforcharging
consideration.
***
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Sec.16.27V.S.A.§ 348isamendedtoread:
§348.INSTRUMENTSCONCERNINGREALPROPERTYVALIDATED
(a)Whenaninstrumentofwritingshallhavebeenonrecordintheoffice
oftheclerkinthepropertownforaperiodof15years,andthereisadefectin
theinstrumentbecauseitomittedtostateanyconsiderationorwasnotsealed,
witnessed,acknowledged,validlyacknowledged,orbecausealicensetosell
wasnotissuedorisdefective,theinstrumentshall,fromandafterthe
expirationof15yearsfromthefilingthereofforrecord,bevalid.Nothingin
thissectionshallbeconstruedtoaffectanyrightsacquiredbygrantees,
assignees,orencumbrancersundertheinstrumentsdescribedinthepreceding
sentence,norshallthissectionapplytoconveyancesorotherinstrumentsof
writing,thevalidityofwhichisbroughtinquestioninanysuitnowpendingin
anycourtsoftheState.
***
(d)Arelease,discharge,orassignmentofmortgageinterestexecutedbya
commerciallenderwithrespecttoaone-tofour-familyresidentialreal
property,includingaresidentialunitinacondominiumorinacommon
interestcommunityasdefinedinTitle27A,thatrecitesauthoritytoacton
behalfoftherecordholderofthemortgageunderapowerofattorneybut
wherethepowerofattorneyisnotofrecordshallhavethesameeffectasif
executedbytherecordholderofthemortgageunless,withinthreeyearsafter
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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theinstrumentisrecorded,anactionchallengingtherelease,discharge,or
assignmentiscommencedandacopyofthecomplaintisrecordedintheland
recordsofthetownwheretherelease,discharge,orassignmentisrecorded.
Thissubsectionshallnotapplytoreleases,discharges,orassignmentsobtained
byfraudorforgery.
(e)Apowerofattorneymadeforthepurposeofconveying,leasing,
mortgaging,oraffectinganyinterestinrealpropertythathasbeen
acknowledgedandsignedinthepresenceofatleastonewitnessshallbevalid,
notwithstandingitsfailuretocomplywith14V.S.A.§3503orthe
requirementsoftheEmergencyAdministrativeRulesforRemoteNotarialActs
adoptedbytheVermontSecretaryofState,unlesswithinthreeyearsafter
recording,anactionchallengingitsvalidityiscommencedandacopyofthe
complaintisrecordedinthelandrecordsofthetownwherethepowerof
attorneyisrecorded.Thissubsectionshallnotapplytoapowerofattorney
obtainedbyfraudorforgery.
(f)Notwithstandingsection305ofthistitle,adeed,mortgage,lease,or
otherinstrumentexecutedforthepurposeofconveyingorencumberingreal
propertyexecutedbyapersonpurportingtoactastheagentorattorney-in-fact
forthepartynamedinthedeed,mortgage,lease,orotherinstrument,thathas
beenrecordedforatleast15yearsinthelandrecordswheretherealproperty
islocatedshallbevalidevenifnopowerofattorneyauthorizingand
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21 BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
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empoweringanagentorattorney-in-factappearsofrecord,unless,within15
yearsafterrecording,anactionchallengingthevalidityofthedeed,mortgage,
lease,orotherinstrumentiscommencedandacopyofthecomplaintis
recordedinthelandrecordsofthetownwherethepropertyislocated.
Sec.17.32V.S.A.§ 1003isamendedtoread:
§1003.STATEOFFICERS
***
(c)TheofficersoftheJudicialBranchnamedinthissubsectionshallbe
entitledtoannualsalariesasfollows:
Annual Annual
Salary Salary
asof asof
July14, July13,
2024 2025
(1)ChiefJusticeofSupremeCourt $214,024 $225,581
(2)EachAssociateJustice $204,264 $215,294
(3)AdministrativeChiefSuperiorJudge$204,264 $215,294
(4)EachSuperiorJudge $194,185 $204,671
(5)[Repealed.]
(6)EachMagistrate $146,413 $154,319
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(7)EachJudicialBureauhearing
officer $146,413 $154,319
***
Sec.18.2023ActsandResolvesNo.27,Sec.5(forensicfacilityreport)is
amendedtoread:
Sec.5.[Deleted.]
Sec.19.EFFECTIVEDATES
Thisactshalltakeeffectonpassage,exceptthatSec.1shalltakeeffecton
July2,2025.
Sec.1.3V.S.A.§ 164isamendedtoread:
§164.ADULTCOURTDIVERSIONPROGRAM
(a)Purpose.
(1)TheAttorneyGeneralshalldevelopandadministeranadultcourt
diversionprogram,forbothpre-chargeandpost-chargereferrals,availablein
allcounties.
(2)Theprogramshallbedesignedtoprovidearestorativeoptionfor
personsallegedtohavecausedharminviolationofacriminalstatuteorwho
havebeenchargedwithviolatingacriminalstatuteaswellasforvictimsor
thoseactingonavictim’sbehalfwhohavebeenallegedlyharmedbythe
responsiblepartypersonreferredtotheprogram.Thediversionprogramcan
acceptreferralstotheprogramasfollows:
***
(c)Adultdiversionprogrampolicyandreferralrequirements.
***
(3)Adultpost-chargediversionrequirements.EachState’sAttorney,in
cooperationwiththeOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralandtheadultpost-charge
diversionprogram,shalldevelopclearcriteriafordecidingwhattypesof
offensesandoffenderswillbeeligiblefordiversion;however,theState’s
Attorneyshallretainfinaldiscretionoverthereferralofeachcasefor
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diversion.Alladultpost-chargediversionprogramsreceivingfinancial
assistancefromtheAttorneyGeneralshalladheretothefollowing:
(A)Thepost-chargediversionprogramforadultsshallonly
acceptpersonsagainstwhomchargeshavebeenfiledandthecourthasfound
probablecause,butarenotadjudicated.
(B)Aprosecutormayreferapersontodiversioneitherbeforeor
afterarraignmentandshallnotifyinwritingthediversionprogramandthe
courtoftheprosecutor’softhereferraltodiversion.
***
Sec.2.4V.S.A.§ 71isamendedtoread:
§71.APPOINTMENTANDTERMOFSUPERIORJUDGES
(a)Thereshallbe34Superiorjudges,whosetermofofficeshall,The
numberofSuperiorJudgesshallbeasdeterminedbytheGeneralAssembly.
ThetermofofficeofaSuperiorJudgeshall,exceptinthecaseofan
appointmenttofillavacancyorunexpiredterm,beginonApril1intheyearof
theirappointmentorretentionandcontinueforsixyears.
***
Sec.3.4V.S.A.§ 1102isamendedtoread:
§1102.JUDICIALBUREAU;JURISDICTION
(a)TheJudicialBureauiscreatedwithintheJudicialBranchunderthe
supervisionoftheSupremeCourt.
(b)TheJudicialBureaushallhavejurisdictionofthefollowingmatters:
***
(4)Violationsof7V.S.A.§1005,relatingtopossessionand
procurementoftobaccoproductsbyapersonunder21yearsofage.
***
Sec.4.4V.S.A.§ 1106isamendedtoread:
§1106.HEARING
***
(d)AUnlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,alawenforcementofficermayvoid
oramendacomplaintissuedbythatofficerbysomarkingthecomplaintand
returningittotheBureau,regardlessofwhethertheamendedcomplaintisa
lesserincludedviolation.Atthehearing,alawenforcementofficermay, BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page18of27
unlessotherwiseprovidedbylaw,voidoramendacomplaintissuedbythat
officerinthediscretionofthatofficer.
***
Sec.5.7V.S.A.§ 1005(c)isamendedtoread:
(c)Apersonunder21yearsofagewhomisrepresentshisorherthe
person’sagebypresentingfalseidentificationtopurchasetobaccoproducts,
tobaccosubstitutes,ortobaccoparaphernaliashallbefinedsubjecttoacivil
penaltyofnotmorethan$50.00orprovideupto10hoursofcommunity
service,orboth.
Sec.6.12V.S.A.§ 5isamendedtoread:
§5.DISSEMINATIONOFELECTRONICCASERECORDS
(a)TheCourtshallnotpermitpublicaccessviatheInternetinternetto
criminal,family,orprobatecaserecords.TheCourtmaypermitcriminal
justiceagencies,asdefinedin20V.S.A.§2056a,Internetinternetaccessto
criminalcaserecordsforcriminaljusticepurposes,asdefinedin20V.S.A.§
2056a.
(b)Notwithstandingsubsection(a)ofthissection,theCourtshallprovide
licensedVermontattorneysingoodstandingwithaccessviatheinternet,
throughtheJudiciary’sPublicPortalwebsiteorotherwise,tononconfidential
criminal,family,andprobatecaserecords.
(c)ThissectionshallnotbeconstruedtoprohibittheCourtfromproviding
electronicaccessto:
(1)courtschedulesoftheSuperiorCourtoropinionsoftheCriminal
DivisionoftheSuperiorCourt;
(2)Stateagenciesinaccordancewithdatadisseminationcontracts
enteredintounderRule12oftheVermontRulesforPublicAccesstoCourt
Records;or
(3)decisions,recordingsoforalarguments,briefs,andprintedcasesof
theSupremeCourt.
Sec.7.12V.S.A.§ 4937isamendedtoread:
§4937.ATTORNEY’SFEES
Whenamortgagecontainsanagreementonthepartofthemortgagorto
paythemortgagee,intheeventofforeclosure,theattorney’sfeesincident
thereto,andclaimismadethereforinthecomplaint,uponhearing,thecourt
inwhichthecomplaintisbroughtshallallowsuchfeeasinitsjudgmentis
just. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page19of27
Sec.8.13V.S.A.§ 4013isamendedtoread:
§4013.ZIPGUNS;SWITCHBLADEKNIVES
Apersonwhopossesses,sells,oroffersforsaleaweaponcommonlyknown
asa“zip”gun,oraweaponcommonlyknownasaswitchbladeknife,the
bladeofwhichisthreeinchesormoreinlength,shallbeimprisonednotmore
than90daysorfinednotmorethan$100.00,orboth.
Sec.9.EXPUNGEMENT OFCRIMINALHISTORYRECORDS
Thecourtshallordertheexpungementofcriminalhistoryrecordsof
convictionsof13V.S.A.§ 4013forpossessing,selling,orofferingforsalea
switchbladeknifethatoccurredpriortoJuly1,2025.Theprocessandeffect
forexpungementoftheserecordsshallbeasprovidedforin13V.S.A.§ 7606
andshallbecompletedbythecourtandallentitiessubjecttotheordernot
laterthanJuly1,2026.
Sec.10.13V.S.A.§ 5351(7)isamendedtoread:
(7)“Victim”means:
(A)apersonwhosustainsinjuryordeathasadirectresultofthe
commissionorattemptedcommissionofacrime;
(B)anintervenorwhoisphysicallyinjuredorkilledinanattemptto
assistthepersondescribedinsubdivision(A)ofthissubdivision(7)orthe
police;
(C)asurvivingimmediatefamilymemberofahomicidevictim,
includingaspouse,domesticpartner,parent,sibling,child,grandparent,or
othersurvivorwhomaysuffersevereemotionalharmasaresultofthevictim’s
deathasdeterminedonacase-by-casebasisinthediscretionoftheBoard;or
(D)aresidentofthisStatewhoisinjuredorkilledastheresultofa
crimecommittedoutsidetheUnitedStates.
Sec.11.13V.S.A.§ 7282isamendedtoread:
§7282.SURCHARGE
***
(c)SIUsurcharge.Inadditiontoanypenaltyorfineimposedbythecourt
foracriminaloffensecommittedafterJuly1,2009,theclerkofthecourtshall
levyanadditionalsurchargeof$100.00tobedepositedintheGeneralFund,
insupportoftheSpecializedInvestigativeUnitGrantsBoardcreatedin24
V.S.A.§1940(c),andusedtopayforthecostsofSpecializedInvestigative
Units. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page20of27
Sec.12.12V.S.A.§ 5135(b)isamendedtoread:
(b)Adefendantwhoattendsahearingheldundersection5133or5134of
thistitleatwhichatemporaryorfinalorderunderthischapterisissuedand
whoreceivesnoticefromthecourtontherecordthattheorderhasbeenissued
shallbedeemedtohavebeenserved.Adefendantnotifiedbythecourtonthe
recordshallberequiredtoadhereimmediatelytotheprovisionsoftheorder.
However,evenwhenthecourthaspreviouslynotifiedthedefendantofthe
order,thecourtshalltransmittheorderforadditionalservicebyalaw
enforcementagency.Theclerkshallmailacopyoftheordertothedefendant
atthedefendant’slastknownaddress.
Sec.13.14V.S.A.§ 2isamendedtoread:
§2.DEPOSITOFWILLFORSAFEKEEPING;DELIVERY;FINAL
DISPOSITION
(a)AwillmaybedepositedforsafekeepingintheProbateDivisionofthe
SuperiorCourtforthedistrictinwhichthetestatorresidesonpaymenttothe
courtoftheapplicablefeerequiredby32V.S.A.§1434(a)(17)32V.S.A.
§ 1434(a)(18).Theregistershallgivetothetestatorareceipt,shallsafely
keepeachwillsodeposited,andshallkeepanindexofthewillssodeposited.
***
Sec.14.14V.S.A.§ 3068isamendedtoread:
§3068.HEARING
***
(e)(1)Ifuponcompletionofthehearingandconsiderationoftherecordthe
courtfindsthattherespondentisnotapersoninneedofguardianship,itshall
dismissthepetitionandsealtherecordsoftheproceeding.
(2)Ifamotiontowithdrawthepetitionismadebeforethefinalhearing,
thecourtshalldismissthepetitionandsealtherecordsoftheproceeding.
(f)Ifuponcompletionofthehearingandconsiderationoftherecordthe
courtfindsthatthepetitionerhasprovedbyclearandconvincingevidence
thattherespondentisapersoninneedofguardianshiporwillbeapersonin
needofguardianshiponattaining18yearsofage,itshallenterjudgment
specifyingthepowersoftheguardianpursuanttosections3069and3070of
thistitleandthedutiesoftheguardianpursuanttosection3071ofthistitle.
(g)Anypartytotheproceedingbeforethecourtmayappealthecourt’s
decisioninthemannerprovidedinsection3080ofthistitle. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page21of27
Sec.15.14V.S.A.§ 4051isamendedtoread:
§4051.STATUTORYFORMPOWEROFATTORNEY
Adocumentsubstantiallyinthefollowingformmaybeusedtocreatea
statutoryformpowerofattorneythathasthemeaningandeffectprescribedby
thischapter.
VERMONTSTATUTORYFORMPOWEROFATTORNEYIMPORTANT
INFORMATION
***
GRANTOFSPECIFICAUTHORITY(OPTIONAL)
MyagentMAYNOTdoanyofthefollowingspecificactsformeUNLESSI
haveINITIALEDthespecificauthoritylistedbelow:
(CAUTION:Grantinganyofthefollowingwillgiveyouragenttheauthority
totakeactionsthatcouldsignificantlyreduceyourpropertyorchangehow
yourpropertyisdistributedatyourdeath.INITIALONLYthespecific
authorityyouWANTtogiveyouragent.)
()Anagentwhoisnotanancestor,spouse,ordescendantmayexercise
authorityunderthispowerofattorneytocreateintheagentorinanindividual
towhomtheagentowesalegalobligationofsupportaninterestinmy
propertywhetherbygift,rightsofsurvivorship,beneficiarydesignation,
disclaimer,orotherwise
()Create,amend,revoke,orterminateanintervivos,family,living,
irrevocable,orrevocabletrust
()Consenttothemodificationorterminationofanoncharitableirrevocable
trustunder14AV.S.A.§411
()Makeagift,subjecttothelimitationsof14V.S.A.§4047(gifts)andany
specialinstructionsinthispowerofattorney
()Consenttothemodificationorterminationofanoncharitableirrevocable
trustunder14AV.S.A.§411
()Create,amend,orchangerightsofsurvivorship
()Create,amend,orchangeabeneficiarydesignation
()Waivetheprincipal’srighttobeabeneficiaryofajointandsurvivor
annuity,includingasurvivorbenefitunderaretirementplan
()Exercisefiduciarypowersthattheprincipalhasauthoritytodelegate
()Authorizeanotherpersontoexercisetheauthoritygrantedunderthispower
ofattorney BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page22of27
()Disclaimorrefuseaninterestinproperty,includingapowerofappointment
()Exerciseauthoritywithrespecttoelectiveshareunder14V.S.A.§319
()Exercisewaiverrightsunder14V.S.A.§323
()Exerciseauthorityoverthecontentandcatalogueofelectronic
communicationsanddigitalassetsunder14V.S.A.chapter125(Vermont
RevisedUniformFiduciaryAccesstoDigitalAssetsAct)
()Exerciseauthoritywithrespecttointellectualproperty,including,without
limitation,copyrights,contractsforpaymentofroyalties,andtrademarks
()Convey,orrevokeorreviseagranteedesignation,byenhancedlifeestate
deedpursuantto27V.S.A.chapter6orundercommonlaw.
***
Sec.16.14AV.S.A.§ 1316isamendedtoread:
§1316.OFFICEOFTRUSTDIRECTOR
Unlessthetermsofatrustprovideotherwise,therulesapplicabletoa
trusteeapplytoatrustdirectorregardingthefollowingmatters:
(1)acceptanceundersection701ofthistitle;
(2)givingofbondtosecureperformanceundersection702ofthistitle;
(3)reasonablecompensationundersection708ofthistitle;
(4)resignationundersection705ofthistitle;
(5)removalundersection706ofthistitle;and
(6)vacancyandappointmentofsuccessorundersection704ofthistitle.
Sec.17.33V.S.A.§ 5204(b)(2)(A)isamendedtoread:
(2)(A)(i)TheFamilyDivisionoftheSuperiorCourtshallholdahearing
undersubsection(c)ofthissectiontodeterminewhetherjurisdictionshouldbe
transferredtotheCriminalDivisionundersubsection(a)ofthissectionifthe
delinquentactsetforthinthepetitionis:
(I)[Repealed.]
(II)humantraffickingoraggravatedhumantraffickingin
violationof13V.S.A.§2652or2653;
(III)defacingafirearm’sserialnumberinviolationof13
V.S.A.§402413V.S.A.§4026;or
(IV)strawpurchasingoffirearminviolationof13V.S.A.
§ 4025;and BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page23of27
(ii)thechildhadattained16yearsofagebutnot19yearsofage
atthetimetheactwasallegedtohaveoccurred.
Sec.18.33V.S.A.§ 5225isamendedtoread:
§5225.PRELIMINARYHEARING;RISKASSESSMENT
(a)Preliminaryhearing.Apreliminaryhearingshallbeheldatthetime
anddatespecifiedonthecitationorasotherwiseorderedbythecourt.Ifa
childistakenintocustodypriortothepreliminaryhearing,thepreliminary
hearingshallbeatthetimeofthetemporarycarehearing.Counselforthe
childshallbeassignedpriortothepreliminaryhearing.
(b)Riskandneedsscreening.
(1)Priortothepreliminaryhearing,thechildshallbeaffordedan
opportunitytoundergoariskandneedsscreening,whichshallbeconducted
bytheDepartmentorbyacommunityproviderthathascontractedwiththe
Departmenttoprovideriskandneedscreeningsforchildrenallegedtohave
committeddelinquentacts.
(2)Ifthechildparticipatesinsuchascreening,theDepartmentorthe
communityprovidershallreporttherisklevelresultofthescreening,the
numberandsourceofthecollateralcontactsmade,andtherecommendation
forchargingorotheralternativestotheState’sAttorney.TheState’sAttorney
shallconsidertheresultsoftheriskandneedsscreeningindetermining
whethertofileacharge.Inlieuoffilingacharge,theState’sAttorneymay
referachilddirectlytoayouth-appropriatecommunity-basedproviderthat
hasbeenapprovedbytheDepartment,whichmayincludepre-chargediversion
pursuantto3V.S.A.§ 163,acommunityjusticecenter,orabalancedand
restorativejusticeprogram.Referraltoacommunity-basedproviderpursuant
tothissubsectionshallnotrequiretheState’sAttorneytofileacharge.Ifthe
community-basedproviderdoesnotacceptthecaseorifthechildfailsto
completetheprograminamannerdeemedsatisfactoryandtimelybythe
provider,thechild’scaseshallreturntotheState’sAttorneyforcharging
consideration.
***
Sec.19.27V.S.A.§ 348isamendedtoread:
§348.INSTRUMENTSCONCERNINGREALPROPERTYVALIDATED
(a)Whenaninstrumentofwritingshallhavebeenonrecordintheofficeof
theclerkinthepropertownforaperiodof15years,andthereisadefectin
theinstrumentbecauseitomittedtostateanyconsiderationorwasnotsealed,
witnessed,acknowledged,validlyacknowledged,orbecausealicensetosell
wasnotissuedorisdefective,theinstrumentshall,fromandafterthe BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page24of27
expirationof15yearsfromthefilingthereofforrecord,bevalid.Nothingin
thissectionshallbeconstruedtoaffectanyrightsacquiredbygrantees,
assignees,orencumbrancersundertheinstrumentsdescribedinthepreceding
sentence,norshallthissectionapplytoconveyancesorotherinstrumentsof
writing,thevalidityofwhichisbroughtinquestioninanysuitnowpendingin
anycourtsoftheState.
***
(d)Arelease,discharge,orassignmentofmortgageinterestexecutedbya
commerciallenderwithrespecttoaone-tofour-familyresidentialreal
property,includingaresidentialunitinacondominiumorinacommon
interestcommunityasdefinedinTitle27A,thatrecitesauthoritytoacton
behalfoftherecordholderofthemortgageunderapowerofattorneybut
wherethepowerofattorneyisnotofrecordshallhavethesameeffectasif
executedbytherecordholderofthemortgageunless,withinthreeyearsafter
theinstrumentisrecorded,anactionchallengingtherelease,discharge,or
assignmentiscommencedandacopyofthecomplaintisrecordedintheland
recordsofthetownwheretherelease,discharge,orassignmentisrecorded.
Thissubsectionshallnotapplytoreleases,discharges,orassignments
obtainedbyfraudorforgery.
(e)Apowerofattorneymadeforthepurposeofconveying,leasing,
mortgaging,oraffectinganyinterestinrealpropertythathasbeen
acknowledgedandsignedinthepresenceofatleastonewitnessshallbevalid,
notwithstandingitsfailuretocomplywith14V.S.A.§3503ortherequirements
oftheEmergencyAdministrativeRulesforRemoteNotarialActsadoptedby
theVermontSecretaryofState,unlesswithinthreeyearsafterrecording,an
actionchallengingitsvalidityiscommencedandacopyofthecomplaintis
recordedinthelandrecordsofthetownwherethepowerofattorneyis
recorded.Thissubsectionshallnotapplytoapowerofattorneyobtainedby
fraudorforgery.
(f)Notwithstandingsection305ofthistitle,adeed,mortgage,lease,or
otherinstrumentexecutedforthepurposeofconveyingorencumberingreal
propertyexecutedbyapersonpurportingtoactastheagentorattorney-in-
factforthepartynamedinthedeed,mortgage,lease,orotherinstrumentthat
hasbeenrecordedforatleast15yearsinthelandrecordswherethereal
propertyislocatedshallbevalidevenifnopowerofattorneyauthorizingand
empoweringanagentorattorney-in-factappearsofrecord,unless,within15
yearsafterrecording,anactionchallengingthevalidityofthedeed,mortgage,
lease,orotherinstrumentiscommencedandacopyofthecomplaintis
recordedinthelandrecordsofthetownwherethepropertyislocated. BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page25of27
Sec.20.32V.S.A.§ 1003isamendedtoread:
§1003.STATEOFFICERS
***
(c)TheofficersoftheJudicialBranchnamedinthissubsectionshallbe
entitledtoannualsalariesasfollows:
Annual Annual
Salary Salary
asof asof
July14, July13,
2024 2025
(1)ChiefJusticeofSupremeCourt $214,024 $225,581
(2)EachAssociateJustice $204,264 $215,294
(3)AdministrativeChiefSuperiorJudge$204,264 $215,294
(4)EachSuperiorJudge $194,185 $204,671
(5)[Repealed.]
(6)EachMagistrate $146,413 $154,319
(7)EachJudicialBureauhearing
officer $146,413 $154,319
***
Sec.21.2023ActsandResolvesNo.27,Sec.5(forensicfacilityreport)is
amendedtoread:
Sec.5.[Deleted.]
Sec.22.2023ActsandResolvesNo.40,Sec.4isamendedtoread:
Sec.4.REPEALS
***
(c)28V.S.A.§ 126(CoordinatedJusticeReformAdvisoryCouncil)is
repealedonJuly1,2028July1,2025.
Sec.23.REPEAL
2019ActsandResolvesNo.6,Secs.99and100(amendmentsto18V.S.A.
§§ 4810(d)–(j)and4811thatprohibitedpublicinebriatesfrombeing
incarceratedinaDepartmentofCorrections’facility)arerepealed.
Sec24.2019ActsandResolvesNo.6,Sec.105isamendedtoread: BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page26of27
Sec.105.EFFECTIVEDATES
***
(c)Secs.99and100(amending18V.S.A.§§4910and4811)shalltake
effectonJuly1,2025.[Deleted.]
***
Sec.25.FIREARMSURRENDERORDERCOMPLIANCEWORKING
GROUP;REPORT
(a)TheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralshallconveneaFirearmSurrender
OrderComplianceWorkingGrouptodevelopauniformprocesstoensure
compliancewithcourtorderstosurrenderfirearms.TheWorkingGroupshall
studywhatstatutoryorpolicychangesareneededtocreateauniformprocess
tomonitorcompliance,supportentitieschargedwithstoringsurrendered
firearms,andidentifyastableandreliablefundingsourceforanyadditional
resourcesneededtomonitorcompliance.
(b)TheWorkingGroupshallincludeanystakeholdersdeemednecessary
bytheAttorneyGeneral,andshallinclude:
(1)theCommissionerofPublicSafetyordesignee;
(2)amemberoftheVermontStatePolice,appointedbythe
CommissionerofPublicSafety;
(3)theCommissionerofCorrectionsordesignee;
(4)theChiefSuperiorCourtJudgeordesignee;
(5)twofamilylawpractitioners,appointedbytheVermontBar
Association;
(6)theDefenderGeneralordesignee;
(7)oneState’sAttorneyordesignee,appointedbytheDepartmentof
State’sAttorneysandSheriffs;
(8)amember,appointedbytheVermontNetworkAgainstDomesticand
SexualViolence;
(9)amember,appointedbytheVermontCouncilonDomesticViolence;
(10)amember,appointedbytheVermontCenterforCrimeVictim
Services;
(11)amemberwhoisafederalfirearmslicensee,appointedbytheState
Policerepresentativeoverseeingthecurrentfirearmsstorageprogramforthe
DepartmentofPublicSafety; BILLASINTRODUCEDANDPASSEDBYSENATE S.109
2025 Page27of27
(12)amember,appointedbytheVermontOfficeoftheBureauof
AlcoholTobaccoandFirearms;
(13)amember,appointedbytheVermontMedicalSociety;
(14)theCommissionerofMentalHealthordesignee;
(15)asheriff,appointedbytheDepartmentofState’sAttorneysand
Sheriffs;and
(16)apolicechief,appointedbytheVermontAssociationofChiefsof
Police.
(c)Report.OnorbeforeNovember15,2025,theWorkingGroupshall
reportitsrecommendationstotheHouseandSenateCommitteesonJudiciary
andtotheJointLegislativeJusticeOversightCommittee.Thereportshall
include:
(1)aworkablestatewidecompliancemodelthatisadaptabletoboththe
FamilyandCriminalDivisionsoftheSuperiorCourtsandthatensures
accountabilityofrespondentsanddefendantswhileaddressingsafetyneedsof
theplaintiffsandvictims;and
(2)recommendationsforanylegislativechangesnecessarytosupport
themodel.
Sec.26.EFFECTIVEDATES
Thisactshalltakeeffectonpassage,exceptthatSec.1shalltakeeffecton
July2,2025.