VermontAgencies would develop independent officer-shooting investigation rules
Beginning June 8, 2026, named state agencies and police groups must develop independent officer-shooting investigation rules and report their plan by December 1.
What it does
State legal and law enforcement groups must work together on independent officer-shooting investigation rules and report their agreed approach, needed law changes, and possible funding to lawmakers.
Argument forA shared independent-investigation protocol could make officer-shooting reviews more consistent across agencies and help lawmakers identify needed changes.
Argument againstDeveloping and carrying out the protocol could require additional law changes and funding, which lawmakers would need to consider.
More detail
Several state law enforcement and legal agencies must work together to identify rules and best practices for independent investigations of officer-involved shootings. The work involves the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, the Department of Public Safety, and the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police. The agencies must identify an agreed-upon investigation protocol and any legislative changes needed to put it into effect, including possible funding. They must submit one written report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The report is due on or before December 1, 2026, and the act takes effect on June 8, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 8, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 8, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 2, 2026To Governor
- May 21House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 19Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 19Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
- May 18Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 15Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 14Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 13Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 13Pending third reading, Senator Harrison proposal of amendment, agreed toMinor
- May 13New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 12Reported favorably by Senator Norris for Committee on Judiciary, read 2nd time and 3rd reading orderedMinor
- May 12Favorable report by Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- May 12New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Favorable report by Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- May 8Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 24Read 1st time & referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 19Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 19Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 18Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 18Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to
- Mar 18Rep. Burditt of West Rutland reported for the Committee on Judiciary
- Mar 18Read second timeMinor
- Mar 18Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 17Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- 2025
- Feb 7Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciaryIntroduced
Criminal JusticeGovernment & EthicsPublic Safety