VermontVermont proposal would bar unequal treatment based on listed traits
If voters ratify it in November 2026, the amendment would bar Vermont from denying people equal treatment under the law based on listed personal traits.
What it does
The proposed amendment would bar the State from denying people equal treatment under the law because of their listed personal traits.
Argument forIf voters approve it, the amendment could give people a constitutional rule against unequal treatment based on listed personal traits.
Argument againstBecause the amendment names many traits but gives no examples of how the rule applies, people may disagree about what equal treatment requires.
More detail
The proposed amendment would bar the State from denying people equal treatment under the law based on listed personal traits. The listed traits are race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and national origin. The rule would not prevent measures meant to give equal treatment and opportunity to groups that have faced discrimination. It would become part of Vermont's Constitution on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026, only if voters ratify and adopt it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Delivered to Secretary of State on June 3, 2026 pursuant to Vermont Constitution, Chapter II, section 72Latest
- May 15As adopted by Senate and House
- May 15House message: House adopted in concurrence
- May 13Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 71 of 142 to Pass -- Yeas = 128, Nays = 14
- Vote recorded Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 71 of 142 to Pass -- Yeas = 128, Nays = 14. Result: pass.Lower
- May 13Adopted in concurrencePassed 2nd Chamber
- May 13Rep. Rachelson of Burlington demanded yeas and nays
- May 13Rep. Rachelson of Burlington reported for the Committee on Judiciary
- May 13Read
- May 13Action Calendar: Constitutional Proposal
- May 12Notice Calendar: Constitutional Proposal Notice Day 4
- May 8Notice Calendar: Constitutional Proposal Notice Day 3
- May 7Notice Calendar: Constitutional Proposal Notice Day 2
- May 6Notice Calendar: Constitutional Proposal Notice Day 1
- Mar 12Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 11Proposed Constitutional Amendment agreed to on roll call, Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 29, Nays = 0Passed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Proposed Constitutional Amendment agreed to on roll call, Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 29, Nays = 0. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11Proposed constitutional amendment, text
- Mar 11New Business/Proposed Constitutional Amendment
- Mar 10Proposed amendment to the Constitution, notice day 6
- Feb 27Proposed amendment to the Constitution, notice day 5
- Feb 26Proposed amendment to the Constitution, notice day 4
- Feb 25Proposed amendment to the Constitution, notice day 3
- Feb 24Proposed amendment to the Constitution, notice day 2
- Feb 20Proposed amendment to the Constitution, notice day 1
- Feb 20Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 20Second Biennium Proposed Amendment to the ConstitutionIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting