How H 702 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill establishes new penalties for trespassing and fraudulent leases while expanding expedited eviction procedures for unauthorized occupants.

• 13 V.S.A. § 3705

  A person shall be imprisoned for not more than three months or fined not more than $500.00, or both, if, without legal authority or the consent of the person in lawful possession, the person enters or remains on any land or in any place as to which notice against trespass is given by: → A person shall be imprisoned for not more than three years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both, if, without legal authority or the consent of the person in lawful possession, the person enters or remains on any land or in any place as to which notice against trespass is given by:

  Increases the penalty for unlawful trespass.

• 13 V.S.A. § 3705

  A person who enters the land or premises of another and resides on the land or premises for any period of time, knowing that the person is not licensed or privileged to do so, shall be imprisoned for not more than three years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. → A person who enters the land or premises of another and resides on the land or premises for any period of time, knowing that the person is not licensed or privileged to do so, shall be imprisoned for not more than three years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. A person who violates subdivision (1) of this subsection and causes greater than $1,000.00 in damages to the land or premises shall be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both.

  Introduces an enhanced penalty for unauthorized occupants who cause significant damages.

• 13 V.S.A. § 2033

  A person who, with the intent to enter or reside on the land or premises of another for any period of time, knowingly presents or causes to be presented a document purporting to be a valid lease agreement for the land or premises that contains false representations as to any material fact or that conceals a material fact shall be imprisoned for not more than three years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both.

  Creates a new offense for providing fraudulent lease agreements.

• 12 V.S.A. § 4853b

  The defendant, knowing that there was no license or privilege to do so, entered and is residing on the land or premises of another person.

  Expands grounds for expedited eviction to include persons who knowingly reside unlawfully on another's land.