Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 4 D · 1 I cosponsors

S 227 — An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 8, 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 09, 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.

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

Prognosis

Likely to advance 96% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    5 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (4 D · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote 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 creates immigration protocols for schools in Vermont.

This legislation establishes protocols regarding immigration issues in Vermont schools. It aims to provide guidance on how schools should handle immigration-related situations.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families will have clearer guidelines on how immigration issues are handled in schools.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

262 added · 154 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill S 227 expands on definitions and procedures related to schools and immigration authority, specifically clarifying that schools must adopt policies to govern these areas. It reaffirms the responsibilities of superintendents and school leaders in implementing these policies. This change is important because it ensures that schools have clear guidelines in place to address issues involving immigration and promotes a safer environment for students.

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AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 1 of 7 S.227 An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 1 of 9 S.227 Introduced by Senators Gulick, Vyhovsky, Major, Ram Hinsdale and White Referred to Committee on Education Date:
January 9, 2026 Subject:
Education;
safety;
immigration Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to require all Vermont schools to adopt a policy that would prevent the school from providing sensitive information about a student to a federal agency and would require that a federal immigration authority present a judicial warrant before entering the nonpublic area of a school.
An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
16 V.S.A.
chapter 33 is amended to read:
CHAPTER 33.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DRILLS, AND SAFETY PATROLS, AND IMMIGRATION PROTOCOLS * * * § 1486.
IMMIGRATION PROTOCOLS (a) Definitions.
As used in this section:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 2 of 9 (1) “Federal immigration authority” means a federal agency or department, along with its employees or contractors, tasked with enforcement of immigration law and border entry, including the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S.
Customs and Border Protection.
(2) “Nonpublic area of a school site” means an area of a school that normally requires authorization by the school to enter, consistent with the policy required by section 1484 of this chapter, and includes classrooms, the cafeteria, the gymnasium, playgrounds, and any other location where students gather.
(3) “School” means a public school or an independent school approved under section 166 of this title, and includes employees and independent contractors working for the school.
(b) Policy required.
Each school district and approved independent school in the State shall adopt and maintain a policy that reflects the requirements of this section.
Each superintendent and head of school of an approved independent school shall develop and implement procedures to carry out such policies.
(c) Immigration resources.
A superintendent shall:
(1) distribute immigration and civil rights–related resources to staff, students, and family members of students that are provided to the BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 3 of 9 superintendent by the Office of the Attorney General or by another source that has had its resources reviewed and approved by the Office;
and (2) at each school the superintendent oversees, designate an officer to serve as a resource for immigration-related matters who shall receive from the superintendent updated information and training material on an ongoing basis.
(d) Guardian detainment.
A superintendent or designee shall, to the greatest extent possible, partner with a legal advocacy institution that will provide assistance to a student in the event that a guardian of the student has been detained by immigration authorities while the student is in school.
(e) Student records.
School districts are prohibited from using policies or procedures to engage in practices that have the effect of excluding a legal pupil from school, including:
(1) collecting or requesting information regarding citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members except as required by State or federal law or as required to administer a State or federally supported educational program;
(2) designating immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, nationality, or national origin as directory information, as that term is defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C.
§ 1232g and 34 C.F.R.
Part 99;
and BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 4 of 9 (3) voluntarily sharing student information, including immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, status as a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault, status as a recipient of public assistance, or school discipline records, with a third party unless required to do so by State or federal law.
(f) Immigration authorities on site.
(1) The superintendent of a school shall:
(A) subject to subdivision (B) of this subdivision (1), be the sole authority to admit a federal immigration authority into a nonpublic area of school site;
and (B) designate one individual that works at each school site to serve as a designee of the superintendent in the event that the superintendent is not present when a federal immigration authority appears on site.
(2) The superintendent or designee shall not allow a federal immigration authority into a nonpublic area of a school site unless a judicial warrant is presented by the federal immigration authority that names a specific individual under arrest or subject to a search.
(3) In the event a federal immigration authority enters a nonpublic area of a school site without approval from the superintendent or designee, the school shall not obstruct the federal immigration authority from entering a nonpublic area of a school site.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 5 of 9 (4) Absent a judicial warrant, no school shall reveal any information about a student or school staff member in response to a request from a federal immigration authority.
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(g) Immigration agreements.
Except as required by federal law, no school shall enter into an agreement with a State, local, or federal government entity that furthers the enforcement of any federal immigration law.
The school superintendent is the sole individual that may approve an agreement required by federal law.
Sec.
2.
IMMIGRATION RESOURCE GUIDE The Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Agency of Education, shall develop an immigration resource guide pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 1486(c)(1).
The guide shall be developed in a manner that serves to protect the privacy and safety of students and staff.
The guide shall be completed on or before March 1, 2026, and be sent to all superintendents for distribution to school districts on or before March 31, 2026.
The Office shall review the guide at least once annually and send any updates to the guide to all superintendents not later than 30 days after completing the update.
Sec.
3.
POLICY ADOPTION DEADLINE Each school district and approved independent school subject to the requirements of this act shall finalize a policy pursuant to 16 V.S.A.
§ 1486(b) on or before August 1, 2026.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 6 of 9 Sec.
4.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
Sec.
1.
§ 2351a and includes any officer of a federal law enforcement agency or any person acting on behalf of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
§ 2351a and includes any officer of a federal law enforcement agency or any person acting on behalf of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
VT LEG #387981 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 2 of 7 (B) “Law enforcement officer” does not include a school resource officer or safety officer who is stationed at a school.
(B) “Law enforcement officer” does not include a school resource officer or safety officer who is stationed at a school.
(2) at each school the superintendent oversees, designate at least one individual to serve as a resource for immigration-related matters who shall receive on an ongoing basis from the superintendent updated information and training material as provided to the superintendent by the Office of the Attorney General;
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 7 of 9 (2) at each school the superintendent oversees, designate at least one individual to serve as a resource for immigration-related matters who shall receive on an ongoing basis from the superintendent updated information and training material as provided to the superintendent by the Office of the Attorney General;
and (3) foster, to the greatest extent possible, a relationship with a legal or immigration advocacy institution that will provide assistance to a student with VT LEG #387981 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 3 of 7 regard to immigration-related concerns, including a situation where a guardian of the student has been detained by immigration authorities while the student is in school.
and (3) foster, to the greatest extent possible, a relationship with a legal or immigration advocacy institution that will provide assistance to a student with regard to immigration-related concerns, including a situation where a guardian of the student has been detained by immigration authorities while the student is in school.
§ 1232g and 34 C.F.R.
§ 1232g and 34 C.F.R.
VT LEG #387981 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 4 of 7 (d) Law enforcement on site and requests for information.
(d) Law enforcement on site and requests for information.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 8 of 9 (2) The superintendent or designee shall not allow a law enforcement officer appearing on an immigration-related matter into a nonpublic area of a school unless a judicial warrant is presented by the officer that names a specific individual under arrest or subject to a search.
(3) Absent a judicial warrant, no school shall reveal any information about a student or school staff member in response to an immigration-related request from a law enforcement officer.
(3) In the event a law enforcement officer appearing on an immigration- related matter enters a nonpublic area of a school without approval from the superintendent or designee, the school shall not obstruct the officer from entering the nonpublic area of a school.
(4) As used in this subsection, “immigration-related matter” and “immigration-related request” mean an administrative warrant, civil warrant, immigration detainer, or any other document or request that pertains to an individual’s immigration or citizenship status.
(43) Absent a judicial warrant, no school shall reveal any information about a student or school staff member in response to an immigration-related request from a law enforcement officer.
(5) On or before January 1, 2027, the Agency of Education, in consultation with the Vermont Superintendents Association, shall develop, and VT LEG #387981 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 5 of 7 review at least annually, model administrative procedures to help schools execute the policies set forth in this subsection.
(54) As used in this subsection, “immigration-related matter” and “immigration-related request” mean an administrative warrant, civil warrant, immigration detainer, or any other document or request that pertains to an individual’s immigration or citizenship status.
(6) On or before January 1, 2027, the Agency of Education, in consultation with the Vermont Superintendents Association, shall develop, and review at least annually, model administrative procedures to help schools execute the policies set forth in this subsection.
(65) On or before January 1, 2027, the Agency of Education, in consultation with the Vermont Superintendents Association, shall develop, and review at least annually, model administrative procedures to help schools execute the policies set forth in this subsection.
(g) Policy required.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 9 of 9 (g) Policy required.
VT LEG #387981 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 6 of 7 (2) Adoption of policy.
(2) Adoption of policy.
§ 1486(b)(1).
§ 1486(b)(1).
(1) include immigration- and civil rights–related resources;
(1) include immigration- and civil rights-related resources;
and a list of VT LEG #387981 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.227 Page 7 of 7 immigration, human rights, and relevant advocacy organizations available to provide immigration assistance to students and staff;
and a list of immigration, human rights, and relevant advocacy organizations available to provide immigration assistance to students and staff;
VT LEG #387981 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 8, 2026

  2. Signed by Governor on June 8, 2026

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 2, 2026

  4. As passed by Senate and House

  5. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment

  6. Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment concurred in

  7. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  8. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of Amendment

  9. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of Amendment

  10. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment thereto

  11. House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment as moved by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale

  12. House proposal of amendment; text

  13. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale

  14. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  15. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  16. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  17. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  18. House proposal of amendment

  19. House proposal of amendment

  20. Entered on Notice Calendar

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

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

  23. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  24. Third Reading ordered

  25. Report of Committee on Education agreed to

  26. Rep. Brady of Williston reported for the Committee on Education

  27. Read second time

  28. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  29. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  30. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Education

  31. Read 3rd time & passed

  32. Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) Ram Hinsdale

  33. New Business/Third Reading

  34. 3rd reading ordered

  35. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Education agreed to on roll call, requested by Senator Ram Hinsdale, Passed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 26, Nays = 2

  36. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Ram Hinsdale for Committee on Education

  37. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Education

  38. New Business/Second Reading

  39. Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Education

  40. Second Reading

  41. Entered on Notice Calendar

  42. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Education

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 185 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (5)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (185)

185 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 185 →

"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

Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Education agreed to on roll call, requested by Senator Ram Hinsdale, Passed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 26, Nays = 2

Passed 26 Yea · 2 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat/Progressive 3000
Republican 11201
Democrat 9001
Unaffiliated 2000
Progressive/Democrat 1000
Total 26202
% of votes cast 87%7%0%7%
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
John Benson Republican Yea
John S Morley III Republican Yea
Patrick "Pat" M Brennan Republican Yea
Randy D Brock Republican Yea
Richard A Westman Republican Yea
Robert W Norris Republican Nay
Russ H Ingalls Republican Nay
Scott L Beck Republican Yea
Steven Heffernan Republican Yea
Terry K Williams Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

immigration education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 227?
S 227 is sponsored by Rebecca "Becca" E White (Democrat), Joseph "Joe" D Major (Democrat), Tanya C Vyhovsky (Progressive/Democrat), Martine Larocque L Gulick (Democrat), and Kesha K Ram Hinsdale (Democrat).
What is the current status of S 227?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track S 227?
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