The 2021-2022 legislative biennium is officially over! Most of the session took place remotely as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic – and there was still a lot that happened impacting victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Over this biennium we actively worked on and monitored close to 200 different bills that would impact survivors in Vermont. Here is a quick look at some of the bills that passed this session:

Appropriations: The FY22 budget adjustment and the FY23 budget both contain critical funding to support victim services in Vermont. The Vermont Network and the Center for Crime Victim Services worked closely together to successfully secure funding to account for funding cuts to ensure that victim services remain level funded. The Vermont Network was also successful in securing funding for community-based domestic violence accountability programming and preserving the availability of legal services in Vermont.

Firearms Protections: S.4 (Act 87) An act relating to procedures involving firearms: closes the so-called “Charleston Loophole” to 7 days. This ensures that if a federal background check comes back inconclusive, a firearm is not transferred to a potential buyer for at least 7 days. The bill also clarifies in the law that judges may order firearms relinquishment in emergency protection orders, promoting greater consistency.

Juvenile Justice: S. 224 enhances the rights of victims in juvenile and youthful offender proceedings in several key ways. The bill ensures that victims in juvenile proceedings have access to victims compensation funds and restitution, and that they will be notified of court proceedings as well as releases from custody back into the community.

Protection Order Access: H. 729 includes several judiciary-related items – including an important change to improve access to relief from abuse orders. This bill will permit individuals who seek an emergency protection order during court hours to apply fully remotely. Currently, survivors can apply remotely after court hours but may need to apply in person during court hours.

Office of the Child Advocate: H. 265 establishes an Office of Child Advocate within state government to advocate for the welfare of children and youths receiving services from DCF and those involved in the child protection and juvenile justice systems. The Office will work to strengthen systems, review complaints, support children and families by providing information about rights and make annual recommendations of needed reforms.

Housing: S.210 and S. 226 make investments in housing safety including a statewide system for rental housing inspections, and programs to improve rental units and manufactured homes. S.226 works to promote housing equity by establishing a Land Access Opportunity Board to promote access to land and home ownership for historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities, and by investing in assistance for first time and first generation home buyers.

This year’s session may be over but we are already thinking about the important policy changes that need to happen next year to allow all Vermonters to thrive. If you have a policy idea that you think we should consider, please send us an email. We would love to hear from you!

With Gratitude,

The Vermont Network Policy Team

Sarah Robinson, Deputy Director

Jessica Barquist, Director of Policy & Organizing

Kara Casey, Director of Economic Empowerment