Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 D · 1 I cosponsors

S 209 — An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 16, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 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

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 7 sponsors

    7 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 D · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

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

The bill prohibits civil arrests in designated sensitive locations.

This legislation makes it illegal to carry out civil arrests in certain sensitive areas. These locations are typically places where vulnerable populations gather, aiming to protect individuals in those spaces.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

174 added · 107 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill now includes government buildings, schools, shelters, and health care facilities as places where civil arrests are prohibited. This change is significant because it aims to protect individuals from being arrested in sensitive locations, which can help ensure safety and support for vulnerable populations seeking services in these areas. By extending these protections, the bill seeks to create a more respectful environment in places that are meant to provide care and assistance.

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AS PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 1 of 5 S.209 An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 1 of 7 S.209 Introduced by Senators Vyhovsky, Bongartz, Gulick, Hashim, Perchlik, Watson and White Referred to Committee on Judiciary Date:
January 6, 2026 Subject:
Court procedure;
civil arrest;
prohibitions Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to add government buildings, schools, shelters, and health care facilities to the list of sensitive locations where a person is not subject to a civil arrest.
An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
§ 3577 is amended to read:
§ 3577 is amended to read:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 2 of 7 (b) A party or witness in a cause pending in any court in the State or before special masters, auditors, referees, or commissioners, and a witness in a criminal cause pending in any such court, shall not be arrested, imprisoned, or detained by virtue of civil process.
Any witness summoned from outside the State in a criminal cause, pending in any court within the State, shall be privileged from the service of papers of any kind whatsoever, and from arrest for any cause while going to, attending at, or returning from such court or trial of such cause.
(c)(1) Prohibition.
A person shall not be subject to civil arrest while traveling to, entering, remaining at, or returning from a:
(A) court proceeding;
(B) State, county, or municipal building;
(C) school;
(D) community-based shelter, severe weather shelter, or emergency housing provided through 33 V.S.A.
chapter 21;
or (E) health care facility, as that term is defined in 18 V.S.A.
§ 9402(6).
(2) Exceptions.
Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to:
(A) an arrest pursuant to a judicially issued warrant or a court order;
(B) an arrest for contempt of the court where the proceeding is occurring;
or BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 3 of 7 (C) an arrest to maintain order or safety in the court where the proceeding is occurring.
(3) Remedies.
(A) A person who violates this subsection (c) by knowingly and willfully executing or assisting with an arrest prohibited by subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) shall be subject to contempt proceedings and may be liable in a civil action for false imprisonment.
(B) A person who is arrested in violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) may bring a civil action against the violator for damages;
injunctive, equitable, or declaratory relief;
punitive damages;
and reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
(C) The Office of the Attorney General may bring a civil action on behalf of the State of Vermont for appropriate injunctive, equitable, or declaratory relief if there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) has occurred or will occur.
(D) No action under this subsection (c) shall be brought against the Judiciary or any of its members or employees for actions taken to maintain order or safety in the courts.
(E) This section shall not be construed to limit or infringe upon any right, privilege, or remedy available under common law or any other provision of law or rule.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 4 of 7 (F) Notwithstanding section 3578 of this title, the protections and remedies afforded by this subsection (c) apply irrespective of when the privilege against civil arrest is invoked.
(4) Definition.
As used in this subsection, “civil arrest” means an arrest for purposes of obtaining a person’s presence or attendance at a civil proceeding, including an immigration proceeding.
Sec.
2.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on passage.
Sec.
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1.
12 V.S.A.
§ 3577 is amended to read:
§ 3577.
PRIVILEGE FROM ARREST (a) The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor of Accounts, Attorney General, and members of the General Assembly and officers and witnesses whose duty it is to attend thereon, in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest and imprisonment during their necessary attendance on and in going to and returning from the General Assembly.
VT LEG #387421 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 2 of 5 (A) court proceeding;
(A) court proceeding;
(D) social services establishment, which includes a crisis center, domestic violence shelter, victim services center, child advocacy center, supervised visitation center, family justice center, facility that serves disabled persons, homeless shelter, substance use disorder counseling and treatment facility, and an establishment distributing food or other essentials of life to people in need;
(D) social services establishment, which includes a crisis center, domestic violence shelter, victim services center, child advocacy center, BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 5 of 7 supervised visitation center, family justice center, facility that serves disabled persons, homeless shelter, substance use disorder counseling and treatment facility, and an establishment distributing food or other essentials of life to people in need;
§ 4301 or that serves as a day camp;
§ 4301 or that serves as a day camp;
§ 9402(6).
§ 9402(6).
or VT LEG #387421 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 3 of 5 (C) an arrest to maintain order or safety in the court where the proceeding is occurring.
or (C) an arrest to maintain order or safety in the court where the proceeding is occurring.
(D) No action under this subsection (c) shall be brought against the Judiciary or any of its members or employees for actions taken to maintain order or safety in the courts.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 6 of 7 (D) No action under this subsection (c) shall be brought against the Judiciary or any of its members or employees for actions taken to maintain order or safety in the courts.
VT LEG #387421 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 4 of 5 (E) This section shall not be construed to limit or infringe upon any right, privilege, or remedy available under common law or any other provision of law or rule.
(E) This section shall not be construed to limit or infringe upon any right, privilege, or remedy available under common law or any other provision of law or rule.
§ 7505(b);
§ 7505(b);
§ 7504.
§ 7504.
§ 11(7);
§ 11(7);
§ 11(8);
§ 11(8);
§ 1522(4);
§ 1522(4);
VT LEG #387421 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 5 of 5 (IV) an approved education program, as that term is defined in 16 V.S.A.
(IV) an approved education program, as that term is defined in V.S.A.
§ 11(34);
§ 11(34);
§ 829(a)(3);
§ 829(a)(3);
(VI) a postsecondary school, as that term is defined in 16 V.S.A.
(VI) a postsecondary school, as that term is defined in 16 V.S.A.
§ 176(b)(1);
§ 176(b)(1);
§ 11(27);
§ 11(27);
and (IX) an adult education and secondary credential program operated pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
and BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.209 Page 7 of 7 (IX) an adult education and secondary credential program operated pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 945.
§ 945.
§ 2502(f).
§ 2502(f).
VT LEG #387421 v.1
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Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 16, 2026

  2. Signed by Governor on June 16, 2026

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 10, 2026

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

  5. As passed by Senate and House

  6. House proposal of amendment concurred in

  7. House proposal of amendment; text

  8. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  9. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  10. New Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  11. House proposal of amendment

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

  13. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

  14. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  16. Third Reading ordered

  17. Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 70 of 139 to Pass -- Yeas = 109, Nays = 30

  18. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

  19. Rep. Dolan of Essex Junction demanded yeas and nays

  20. Rep. Greer of Bennington asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment

  21. Rep. Greer of Bennington moved to amend the report of the Committee on Judiciary

  22. Rep. Goodnow of Brattleboro reported for the Committee on Judiciary

  23. Read second time

  24. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  25. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  26. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

  27. Read 3rd time & passed

  28. New Business/Second Reading

  29. 3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 27, Nays = 2

  30. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

  31. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Judiciary

  32. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

  33. Second Reading

  34. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary

  35. Second Reading

  36. Entered on Notice Calendar

  37. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

7 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 183 not signed on · 31 voted No

Sponsors (7)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (183)

183 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 183 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 70 of 139 to Pass -- Yeas = 109, Nays = 30

Passed 109 Yea · 30 Nay · 11 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 212604
Democrat 79103
Independent 3002
Progressive/Democrat 1002
Unaffiliated 4100
Republican/Democrat 1200
Total 10930011
% of votes cast 73%20%0%7%
How each member voted (150)
Member Party Vote
White — Yea
White — Yea
Casey — Nay
Casey — Yea
Hooper — Yea
Abbey Duke Democrat Yea
Alice M. M Emmons Democrat Yea
Alyssa Black Democrat Yea
Amy D Sheldon Democrat Yea
Angela Arsenault Democrat Yea
Barbara Rachelson Democrat Yea
Bram Kleppner Democrat Yea
Brian Minier Democrat Yea
Bridget M Burkhardt Democrat Yea
Carol Ode Democrat Yea
Charles A Kimbell Democrat Yea
Chea Waters Evans Democrat Yea
Christopher Morrow Democrat Yea
Daisy Berbeco Democrat Yea
Daniel A Noyes Democrat Yea
Dara Torre Democrat Yea
David K Durfee Democrat Yea
David W Yacovone Democrat Yea
Doug Bishop Democrat Yea
Edward "Teddy" Waszazak Democrat Yea
Edye Graning Democrat Yea
Ela Chapin Democrat Yea
Elizabeth L Burrows Democrat Yea
Emilie K Kornheiser Democrat Yea
Emilie Krasnow Democrat Yea
Emily Carris Duncan Democrat Yea
Emily J Long Democrat Yea
Emily J Long Democrat Yea
Erin Brady Democrat Yea
Esme Cole Democrat Yea
Gayle S Pezzo Democrat Yea
Golrang "Rey" Garofano Democrat Yea
Herb Olson Democrat Yea
Ian Goodnow Democrat Yea
James W Masland Democrat Yea
Jill L Krowinski Democrat Not Voting
John K O'Brien Democrat Yea
John L Bartholomew Democrat Yea
Jonathan Cooper Democrat Yea
Jubilee McGill Democrat Yea
Karen Lueders Democrat Yea
Karen N Dolan Democrat Yea
Kate Lalley Democrat Yea
Kate McCann Democrat Yea
Kate Nugent Democrat Yea
Kathleen C James Democrat Yea
Kevin "Coach" B Christie Democrat Not Voting
Kevin P Scully Democrat Nay
Kristi C Morris Democrat Yea
Larry Satcowitz Democrat Yea
Leanne Harple Democrat Yea
Leonora Dodge Democrat Yea
Leslie Goldman Democrat Yea
Lori Houghton Democrat Yea
Lucy Boyden Democrat Yea
Marc B Mihaly Democrat Not Voting
Martin J LaLonde Democrat Yea
Mary E. E Howard Democrat Yea
Mary-Katherine A Stone Democrat Yea
Matthew J Birong Democrat Yea
Michael Mrowicki Democrat Yea
Michael N Hoyt Democrat Yea
Michael Nigro Democrat Yea
Michelle Bos-Lun Democrat Yea
Mollie S. S Burke Democrat Yea
Monique Priestley Democrat Yea
Peter C Conlon Democrat Yea
Phil Pouech Democrat Yea
R. Scott Campbell Democrat Yea
Rebecca Holcombe Democrat Yea
Robert Hunter Democrat Yea
Robin P Scheu Democrat Yea
Sarah "Sarita" C Austin Democrat Yea
Saudia LaMont Democrat Yea
Shawn Sweeney Democrat Yea
Theresa A Wood Democrat Yea
Thomas S Stevens Democrat Yea
Tiffany Bluemle Democrat Yea
Timothy R. R Corcoran II Democrat Yea
Trevor J Squirrell Democrat Yea
Wendy A Critchlow Democrat Yea
William "Will" Greer Democrat Yea
Zon Eastes Democrat Yea
Anne B. B Donahue Independent Not Voting
Jed Lipsky Independent Yea
Joseph Parsons Independent Not Voting
Laura H Sibilia Independent Yea
Troy Headrick Independent Yea
Brian J Cina Progressive/Democrat Not Voting
Chloe Tomlinson Progressive/Democrat Yea
Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat Not Voting
Allen "Penny" R Demar Republican Nay
Anthony "Tony" Micklus Republican Yea
Beth M Quimby Republican Yea
Brenda Steady Republican Yea
Carolyn W Branagan Republican Yea
Chris A Taylor Republican Not Voting
Chris Brown Republican Yea
Chris Keyser Republican Nay
Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard Republican Yea
Christopher Howland Republican Nay
David "Dave" Bosch Republican Not Voting
David J Soucy Republican Yea
Deborah "Debbie" C Dolgin Republican Yea
Debra L Powers Republican Nay
Eileen G Dickinson Republican Nay
Eric Maguire Republican Nay
Gina M Galfetti Republican Yea
Gregory "Greg" Burtt Republican Nay
Jack H Brigham Republican Yea
James A Gregoire Republican Yea
John Kascenska Republican Nay
Joseph "Joe" Luneau Republican Yea
Joshua Dobrovich Republican Nay
Kenneth "Ken" L Wells Republican Nay
Kenneth W Goslant Republican Nay
Kevin C Winter Republican Nay
Larry Labor Republican Nay
Leland J Morgan Republican Yea
Lisa A Hango Republican Nay
Mark A Higley Republican Nay
Martha A Feltus Republican Yea
Mary A. A Morrissey Republican Yea
Matt E Walker Republican Nay
Michael "Mike" Southworth Republican Yea
Michael "Mike" Tagliavia Republican Nay
Michael Boutin Republican Nay
Michael J Marcotte Republican Nay
Michael R Morgan Republican Yea
Patricia A McCoy Republican Yea
Richard J Bailey Republican Not Voting
Richard M Nelson Republican Nay
Rob North Republican Nay
Sandra "Sandy" H Pinsonault Republican Yea
Thomas "Tom" F Charlton Republican Yea
Thomas B Burditt Republican Nay
Todd Nielsen Republican Not Voting
VL L Coffin IV Republican Yea
Wayne A Laroche Republican Nay
William P Canfield Republican Nay
Woodman H Page Republican Nay
Zachary J Harvey Republican Nay
Alicia Malay Republican/Democrat Nay
Ashley R Bartley Republican/Democrat Yea
Thomas Oliver Republican/Democrat Nay

Official roll call →

3rd reading ordered on roll call Passed -- Needed 15 of 29 to Pass -- Yeas = 27, Nays = 2

Passed 27 Yea · 2 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat/Progressive 3000
Republican 11201
Democrat 10000
Unaffiliated 2000
Progressive/Democrat 1000
Total 27201
% of votes cast 90%7%0%3%
How each member voted (30)
Member Party Vote
White — Yea
Ram Hinsdale — Yea
Alison Clarkson Democrat Yea
Ann E Cummings Democrat Yea
Joseph "Joe" D Major Democrat Yea
Martine Larocque L Gulick Democrat Yea
Nader A Hashim Democrat Yea
Robert Plunkett Democrat Yea
Ruth E Hardy Democrat Yea
Seth Bongartz Democrat Yea
Thomas I Chittenden Democrat Yea
Virginia "Ginny" V Lyons Democrat Yea
Andrew J Perchlik Democrat/Progressive Yea
Anne E Watson Democrat/Progressive Yea
Philip E Baruth Democrat/Progressive Yea
Tanya C Vyhovsky Progressive/Democrat Yea
Brian P Collamore Republican Yea
Christopher P Mattos Republican Yea
David H Weeks Republican Yea
Jim F Harrison Republican Yea
John Benson Republican Yea
John S Morley III Republican Not Voting
Patrick "Pat" M Brennan Republican Yea
Randy D Brock Republican Yea
Richard A Westman Republican Yea
Robert W Norris Republican Yea
Russ H Ingalls Republican Nay
Scott L Beck Republican Yea
Steven Heffernan Republican Yea
Terry K Williams Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 209?
S 209 is sponsored by Rebecca "Becca" E White (Democrat), Anne E Watson (Democrat/Progressive), Andrew J Perchlik (Democrat/Progressive), Nader A Hashim (Democrat), Martine Larocque L Gulick (Democrat), Seth Bongartz (Democrat), and Tanya C Vyhovsky (Progressive/Democrat).
What is the current status of S 209?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track S 209?
Track S 209 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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