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

H 744 — An act relating to procedures for release after arrest

Last action — House message: Governor approved bill on April 27, 2026

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on April 28, 2026.

Prognosis

Advancing 52% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • 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).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

53 added · 23 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill H.744 clarifies the procedures for determining temporary release after an arrest. It specifies that law enforcement officers must provide a sworn statement to a judicial officer, detailing the charges and any proposed conditions of release, such as bail. This change is important because it aims to ensure that there is a clearer process in place for how arrestees can be released, thereby promoting fairness and transparency in the justice system.

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AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.744 Page 1 of 1 H.744 An act relating to procedures for release after arrest It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.744 Page 1 of 3 H.744 Introduced by Representative LaLonde of South Burlington Referred to Committee on Date:
Subject:
Criminal procedures;
arrest without warrant Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to permit courts to require that a law enforcement officer’s affidavit in support of a warrantless arrest include the charge that the prosecuting attorney intends to file and any bail or conditions of release that the prosecuting attorney is requesting.
An act relating to procedures for arrest without a warrant An act relating to procedures for release after arrest It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
The law enforcement officer shall provide the judicial officer with an affidavit or sworn statement as required by Rule 4(a) of these rules, and information upon which the determination as to temporary release may be made.
The law enforcement officer shall provide the judicial officer with an affidavit or sworn statement as BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.744 Page 2 of 3 required by Rule 4(a) of these rules, and information upon which the determination as to temporary release may be made.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on passage.
Sec.
1.
Rule 3 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure is amended to read:
Rule 3.
Arrest Without Warrant;
Citation to Appear * * * (k) Temporary Release.
A law enforcement officer arresting a person shall contact a judicial officer for determination of temporary release pursuant to Rule 5(b) of these rules without unnecessary delay.
The law enforcement officer shall provide the judicial officer with an affidavit or sworn statement as required by Rule 4(a) of these rules, and information upon which the determination as to temporary release may be made.
The affidavit or sworn statement must indicate the crimes to be charged by the arresting officer.
The BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.744 Page 3 of 3 procedures and standards established by the Presiding Judge of each unit pursuant to Rule 5(b) may require that the affidavit or sworn statement include the charge or charges that the prosecuting attorney intends to file and may require that the affidavit also include any conditions of release, including bail or an order to hold without bail, that the prosecuting attorney is requesting.
Sec.
2.
VT LEG #387891 v.1
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  • As Passed by Both House and Senate (UnofficialOpens in a new window) View text pdf
  • As EnactedOpens in a new window View text pdf
  • Act SummaryOpens in a new window View text Current pdf
  • Introduced As IntroducedOpens in a new window pdf

Action History

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on April 27, 2026

  2. Signed by Governor on April 27, 2026

  3. Delivered to the Governor on April 21, 2026

  4. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

  5. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

  6. New Business/Third Reading

  7. Reported favorably by Senator Hashim for Committee on Judiciary, read 2nd time and 3rd reading ordered

  8. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

  9. Second Reading

  10. Favorable report by Committee on Judiciary

  11. Second Reading

  12. Entered on Notice Calendar

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

  14. Read third time and passed

  15. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  16. Third Reading ordered

  17. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

  18. Rep. LaLonde of South Burlington reported for the Committee on Judiciary

  19. Read second time

  20. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  21. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 189 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (189)

189 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 189 →

"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

Subjects

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors H 744?
H 744 is sponsored by Martin J LaLonde (Democrat).
What is the current status of H 744?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track H 744?
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