H 642 is sponsored by Martin J LaLonde (Democrat).

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Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 1 D cosponsors

H 642 — An act relating to youthful offender proceedings

Last action May 29, 2026 — House message: Governor approved bill on June 16, 2026

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Introduced
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In Committee
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Passed House
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Passed Senate
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To Executive
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Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 29, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 40% · moderate confidence

Enacted

Current position in the legislative process.
1 sponsor

1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
Single-party support

Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).
Failed a recorded vote

Failed 2 recorded votes so far — a real headwind.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill addresses the legal procedures for youthful offenders.

The legislation modifies how legal proceedings are conducted for youthful offenders, focusing on their treatment within the justice system. It aims to reform the process to better fit the needs of younger individuals involved in criminal cases.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

319 added · 123 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill H 642 includes new provisions related to how youth offenders are assessed for treatment. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of a youth's full criminal record and any subsequent criminal behavior when determining eligibility for treatment programs. This change aims to ensure that decisions made by the court are informed by the youth's complete background, which could lead to more tailored support and rehabilitation efforts.

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 1 of 615 H.642 AnIntroduced ~~act~~by ~~relating~~Representative toLaLonde ~~youthful~~of ~~offender~~South ~~proceedings~~Burlington ItReferred isto ~~hereby~~Committee ~~enacted~~on byDate: ~~the~~ ~~General~~ ~~Assembly~~ of ~~the~~ ~~State~~ of ~~Vermont:~~

Subject:

Human services;

youthful offender;

court procedures Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:

This bill proposes the following changes to judicial proceedings involving youthful offenders:

to require the court to consider whether the youth has acknowledged that harm was caused by the youth’s alleged conduct when the court is determining whether public safety will be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender;

to require the court to revoke the youth’s youthful offender status if while on probation for the offense the youth is charged with a violent crime, unless the youth shows that public safety will continue to be protected and that the youth remains amenable to treatment as a youthful offender;

to require the court to revoke the youth’s youthful offender status if the youth fails to appear at a probation revocation hearing unless the court finds there was good cause for the failure to appear;

and to clarify that victims have a right to attend and express their views at the youthful offender consideration hearing as well as the disposition hearing.

An act relating to youthful offender proceedings BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 2 of 15 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

§§ 5284 ~~5285~~ is amended to read:

§ 5284.

YOUTHFUL OFFENDER DETERMINATION AND DISPOSITION ORDER (a)(1) In a hearing on a motion for youthful offender status, the court shall first consider whether public safety will be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender.

If the court finds that public safety will not be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender, the court shall deny the motion and transfer the case to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court pursuant to subsection 5281(d) of this title.

If the court finds that public safety will be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender, the court shall proceed to make a determination under subsection (b) of this section.

(2) When determining whether public safety will be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender, the court shall consider, on the basis of the evidence admitted:

(A) the nature and circumstances of the charge and whether violence was involved;

(B) the youth’s mental health treatment history and needs;

(D) the youth’s residential housing status;

(E) the youth’s employment and educational situation;

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 3 of 15 (F) whether the youth has complied with conditions of release;

(G) the youth’s criminal record and whether the youth has engaged in subsequent criminal or delinquent behavior since the original charge;

(H) whether supervising the youth on youthful offender probation is appropriate considering the nature of the charged offense and the age and specialized needs of the youth;

(I) whether the youth has connections to the community;

and (J) the youth’s history of violence and history of illegal or violent conduct involving firearms or other deadly weapons;

and (K) whether the youth has acknowledged that harm was caused by the youth’s alleged conduct.

(b)(1) The court shall deny the motion if the court finds that:

(A) the youth is not amenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a youthful offender;

or (B) there are insufficient services in the juvenile court system and the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections to meet the youth’s treatment and rehabilitation needs.

(2) The court shall grant the motion if the court finds that:

(A) the youth is amenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a youthful offender;

and BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 4 of 15 (B) there are sufficient services in the juvenile court system and the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections to meet the youth’s treatment and rehabilitation needs.

(c)(1) If the court approves the motion for youthful offender treatment after an adjudication pursuant to subsection 5281(d) of this title, the court:

(A) shall approve a disposition case plan and impose conditions of juvenile probation on the youth;

and (B) may transfer legal custody of the youth to a parent, relative, person with a significant relationship with the youth, or Commissioner, provided that any transfer of custody shall expire on the youth’s 18th birthday.

(2) Prior to the approval of a disposition case plan, the court may refer a child directly to a youth-appropriate community-based provider that has been approved by the department Department and which may include a community justice center or a balanced and restorative justice program.

Referral to a community-based provider pursuant to this subdivision shall not require the court to place the child on probation.

If the community-based provider does not accept the case or if the child fails to complete the program in a manner deemed satisfactory and timely by the provider, the child shall return to the court for further proceedings, including the imposition of the disposition order.

Show all 103 changed lines (63 more)

(d) The Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections shall be responsible for supervision of and providing services to BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 5 of 15 the youth until the youth reaches 22 years of age.

Both Departments shall designate a case manager who together shall appoint a lead Department to have final decision-making authority over the case plan and the provision of services to the youth.

The youth shall be eligible for appropriate community- based programming and services provided by both Departments.

Sec.

33 V.S.A.

§ 5285 is amended to read:

MODIFICATION OR REVOCATION OF DISPOSITION (a) If it appears that the youth has violated the terms of juvenile probation ordered by the court pursuant to subdivision 5284(c)(1) of this title, a motion for modification or revocation of youthful offender status may be filed in the Family Division of the Superior Court.

The court shall set the motion for hearing as soon as practicable.

The hearing may be joined with a hearing on a violation of conditions of probation under section 5265 of this title.

A supervising juvenile or adult probation officer may detain in an adult facility a youthful offender who has attained 18 years of age for violating conditions of probation.

(b) A hearing under this section shall be held in accordance with section 5268 of this title.

(c)(1) If the court finds after the hearing that the youth has violated the terms of his or her the youth’s probation, the court may:

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 6 of 15 (1)(A) maintain the youth’s status as a youthful offender, with modified conditions of juvenile probation if the court deems it appropriate;

(2)(B) revoke the youth’s status as a youthful offender and transfer the case with a record of the petition, affidavit, adjudication, disposition, and revocation to the Criminal Division for sentencing;

or (3)(C) transfer supervision of the youth to the Department of Corrections with all of the powers and authority of the Department and the Commissioner under Title 28, including graduated sanctions and electronic monitoring.

(2) If the court finds after the hearing that while on juvenile probation the youth was charged with a crime an element of which involves an act of violence against another person, the court shall revoke the youth’s status as a youthful offender and transfer the case with a record of the petition, affidavit, adjudication, disposition, and revocation to the Criminal Division for sentencing, unless the youth proves to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that:

(A) the public will be protected by continuing to treat the youth as a youthful offender;

and (B) the youth remains amenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a youthful offender.

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 7 of 15 (d) If the youth fails to appear at a probation revocation hearing under this section, the court shall, unless it finds there was good cause for the failure to appear, revoke the youth’s status as a youthful offender and transfer the case with a record of the petition, affidavit, adjudication, disposition, and revocation to the Criminal Division for sentencing.

(e) If a youth’s status as a youthful offender is revoked and the case is transferred to the Criminal Division pursuant to subdivision (c)(2) (c)(1)(B) of this section, the court shall enter a conviction of guilty based on the admission to or finding of merits, hold a sentencing hearing, and impose sentence.

Unless it serves the interest interests of justice, the case shall not be transferred back to the Family Division pursuant to section 5203 of this title.

When determining an appropriate sentence, the court may take into consideration the youth’s degree of progress toward or regression from rehabilitation while on youthful offender status.

The Criminal Division shall have access to all Family Division records of the proceeding.

Sec.

33 V.S.A.

§ 5288 is amended to read:

§ 5288.

RIGHTS OF VICTIMS IN YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PROCEEDINGS (a) The victim in a proceeding involving a youthful offender shall have the following rights:

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 8 of 15 (1) To be notified by the prosecutor in a timely manner:

(A) when a court proceeding is scheduled to take place and when a court proceeding to of which the victim has been notified will not take place as scheduled;

and (B) of any conditions of release or conditions of probation and of any restitution unless otherwise limited by court order.

(2) To be present during all court proceedings subject to the provisions of Rule 615 of the Vermont Rules of Evidence;

to attend the hearing on the motion to consider youthful offender status and the disposition hearing to present a victim impact statement and to express reasonably the victim’s views concerning the offense and, the youth, and the appropriateness of youthful offender status, including testimony in support of the victim’s claim for restitution;

and to submit oral or written statements to the court at such other times as the court may allow.

The court shall consider the victim’s statement when ordering disposition.

(3) To be notified by the agency having custody of the youth before the youth is released into the community from a secure or staff-secured residential facility.

(4) To be notified by the prosecutor as to the final disposition of the case.

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 9 of 15 (5) To be notified by the prosecutor of the victim’s rights under this section.

(b) In accordance with court rules, at a hearing on a motion for to consider youthful offender treatment status, the court shall ask if the victim is present and, if so, whether the victim would like to be heard regarding disposition the motion.

In ordering youthful offender status or disposition, the court shall consider any views offered at the hearing by the victim.

If the victim is not present, the court shall ask whether the victim has expressed, either orally or in writing, views regarding youthful offender status or disposition and shall take those views into consideration in ordering youthful offender status or disposition.

(c) No youthful offender proceeding shall be delayed or voided by reason of the failure to give the victim the required notice or the failure of the victim to appear.

(d) As used in this section, “victim” shall have has the same meaning as in 13 V.S.A.

§ 5301(4).

(e) This section shall not prohibit a victim from discussing underlying facts of the alleged offense that resulted in death or physical, emotional, or financial injury to the victim, provided that, unless otherwise provided by law or court order, a victim shall not disclose what occurs during a court proceeding or information learned through a court proceeding that is not an underlying fact BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 10 of 15 of the alleged offense that resulted in death or physical, emotional, or financial injury to the victim.

Sec.

EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on passage.

Sec.

33 V.S.A.

§ 5285 is amended to read:

§ 5285.

VTBILL ~~LEG~~ ~~#388200~~ ~~v.1~~ AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 211 of 615 (b) A hearing under this section shall be held in accordance with section ~~5268~~ of this title.

and VTBILL ~~LEG~~ ~~#388200~~ ~~v.1~~ AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 312 of 615 (C) there continues to be sufficient services in the juvenile court system and the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections to meet the youth’s treatment and rehabilitation needs.

§§ 5288 ~~5288~~ is amended to read:

RIGHTS OF VICTIMS IN YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PROCEEDINGS VTBILL ~~LEG~~ ~~#388200~~ ~~v.1~~ AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 413 of 615 (a) The victim in a proceeding involving a youthful offender shall have the following rights:

VTBILL ~~LEG~~ ~~#388200~~ ~~v.1~~ AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 514 of 615 (4) To be notified by the prosecutor as to the final disposition of the case.

(d) As used in this section, “victim” shall have has the same meaning as in 13 V.S.A.

(e) This section shall not prohibit a victim from discussing underlying facts of the alleged offense that resulted in death or physical, emotional, or financial injury to the victim, provided that, unless otherwise provided by law or court VTBILL ~~LEG~~ ~~#388200~~ ~~v.1~~ AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 615 of 615 order, a victim shall not disclose what occurs during a court proceeding or information learned through a court proceeding that is not an underlying fact of the alleged offense that resulted in death or physical, emotional, or financial injury to the victim.

~~VT LEG #388200 v.1~~

Latest

AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.642 Page 1 of 6 H.642 An ~~act~~ ~~relating~~ to ~~youthful~~ ~~offender~~ ~~proceedings~~ It is ~~hereby~~ ~~enacted~~ by ~~the~~ ~~General~~ ~~Assembly~~ of ~~the~~ ~~State~~ of ~~Vermont:~~

BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 1 of 15 H.642 Introduced by Representative LaLonde of South Burlington Referred to Committee on Date:

Subject:

Human services;

youthful offender;

court procedures Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:

This bill proposes the following changes to judicial proceedings involving youthful offenders:

and to clarify that victims have a right to attend and express their views at the youthful offender consideration hearing as well as the disposition hearing.

An act relating to youthful offender proceedings BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.642 Page 2 of 15 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

§ ~~5285~~ is amended to read:

§ 5284 is amended to read: