Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 12 D · 3 R · 2 I cosponsors

H 219 — An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program

Last action — Rep. Emmons of Springfield moved to commit the bill to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions, which was agreed to

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 13, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 19, 2025.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 17 sponsors

    17 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (12 D · 3 R · 2 I) — cross-party backing.

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

179 added · 64 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill H.219 introduces a Family Support Program for incarcerated parents in Vermont's correctional facilities, ensuring that equal access to these services is maintained for all genders. This change is significant because it aims to strengthen family connections, which can be crucial for both the well-being of incarcerated individuals and their families. Additionally, the timeline for implementing this program across all facilities has been confirmed as 2028. This focus on supporting families can ultimately contribute to better outcomes for those affected by the criminal justice system.

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AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.219 Page 1 of 4 H.219 An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 1 of 9 H.219 Introduced by Representatives Headrick of Burlington, Arsenault of Williston, Bos-Lun of Westminster, Burkhardt of South Burlington, Casey of Montpelier, Chapin of East Montpelier, Cole of Hartford, Greer of Bennington, Gregoire of Fairfield, LaLonde of South Burlington, Logan of Burlington, Masland of Thetford, McGill of Bridport, Minier of South Burlington, Morrissey of Bennington, Sweeney of Shelburne, and Winter of Ludlow Referred to Committee on Date:
Subject:
Corrections;
administration of the Department;
family support and programming Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to establish Family Support Pilot Programs at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility to provide free family support services and programming to incarcerated parents and guardians.
An act relating to creating a family support pilot program for incarcerated parents and guardians An act relating to establishing the Department of Corrections’ Family Support Program BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 2 of 9 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
FINDINGS AND INTENT (a) Findings.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Approximately 6,000 children in Vermont have an incarcerated parent or guardian annually, with a significant majority unable to maintain meaningful family connections due to a lack of correctional facility programming.
(2) Research demonstrates that comprehensive family programs, including opportunities for child-friendly visitation, assists with reducing recidivism, enhancing community reintegration, and promoting child well- being.
(3) The Department of Corrections collaborates with a local nonprofit to provide incarcerated female parents and guardians at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Center with a trauma-informed, comprehensive approach to strengthen family connections that minimizes the adverse effects of parental incarceration and fosters better outcomes for parents and children.
(4) While Vermont incarcerates a higher percentage of parents and guardians compared to the national average and provides family-friendly support services for incarcerated female parents and guardians, no comparable program exists for incarcerated males, which leaves a critical gap in family support services.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 3 of 9 (5) Expanding family support services and programming to incarcerated male parents and guardians may yield societal benefits by preserving family connections and mitigating the trauma of incarceration on parents, guardians, children alike.
(b) Intent.
(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Corrections ensures gender parity in the access to services and programs that strengthen family connections.
(2) It is the further intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Corrections develop a phased plan to expand the application of 28 V.S.A.
§ 128 to all Vermont correctional facilities by 2028.
Sec.
2.
28 V.S.A.
§ 102(c) is amended to read:
(c) The Commissioner is charged with the following responsibilities:
* * * (24) To include funding to sufficiently provide and sustain trauma- informed family support services and programming pursuant to section 128 of this title in the Department’s annual proposed budget for the next subsequent fiscal year for the purposes of developing the State budget required to be submitted to the General Assembly in accordance with 32 V.S.A.
§ 306.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 4 of 9 Sec.
3.
28 V.S.A.
§ 128 is added to read:
§ 128.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS;
INCARCERATED PARENTS AND GUARDIANS;
FAMILY SUPPORT PILOT PROGRAM (a) Family Support Pilot Program.
The Department of Corrections shall establish pilot programs at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility to provide free parenting and family support to all incarcerated individuals who are parents and guardians.
The program shall include services and programming to provide:
(1) increased knowledge and skill for incarcerated parents and guardians to address the specific needs of their children;
(2) enhanced capacity and resources to incarcerated parents and guardians to engage in needs-specific planning and communication strategies with their children and their children’s caregivers;
(3) child-friendly visitation spaces for in-person and virtual visits between parents or guardians and their children, including establishing safety protocol;
(4) outreach and coordination with appropriate services for the children of incarcerated parents and guardians and the children’s caregivers;
(5) reentry support and preparation for incarcerated parents and guardians;
Show all 77 changed rows (37 more)
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and BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 5 of 9 (6) improved cross-system coordination and collaboration to deliver necessary services to the families of incarcerated parents and guardians.
(b) Program support.
The Department may support the operation of the programs established under subsection (a) of this section through grants of financial assistance to, or contracts for services with, any nonprofit entity that meets the Department’s requirements.
(c) Annual report.
Annually, on or before July 1, the Department shall submit a written report to the House Committees on Corrections and Institutions and on Judiciary and the Senate Committees on Institutions and on Judiciary, concerning:
(1) the funding, participation, and outcomes of the services and programming established pursuant to this section;
and (2) considerations and any progress towards statewide implementation and gender parity.
Sec.
4.
APPROPRIATION The sum of $400,000.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Corrections in fiscal year 2026 for the purpose of establishing and supporting the Family Support Pilot Program in accordance with 28 V.S.A.
§ 128.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 6 of 9 Sec.
5.
PROSPECTIVE REPEAL 28 V.S.A.
§ 128 (Department of Corrections’ family support pilot program) is repealed on July 1, 2028.
Sec.
6.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
Sec.
1.
§ 128 to all Vermont correctional facilities by 2028.
§ 128 to all Vermont correctional facilities by 2028.
§ 102(c) is amended to read:
§ 102(c) is amended to read:
§ 306.
§ 306.
VT LEG #381932 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.219 Page 2 of 4 Sec.
BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 7 of 9 Sec.
§ 128 is added to read:
§ 128 is added to read:
§ 128.
§ 128.
and VT LEG #381932 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.219 Page 3 of 4 (6) reentry support and preparation for incarcerated parents and guardians.
and BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 8 of 9 (6) reentry support and preparation for incarcerated parents and guardians.
VT LEG #381932 v.1 AS PASSED BY HOUSE H.219 Page 4 of 4 Sec.
Sec.
IMPLEMENTATION The Department of Corrections shall first implement the Family Support Program established under 28 V.S.A.
IMPLEMENTATION BILL AS PASSED BY THE HOUSE H.219 Page 9 of 9 The Department of Corrections shall first implement the Family Support Program established under 28 V.S.A.
§ 128 at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility.
§ 128 at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility.
APPROPRIATION (a) The sum of $115,424.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Corrections in fiscal year 2026 for the purpose of supporting the Family Support Program at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in accordance with 28 V.S.A.
§ 128.
(b) The sum of $268,155.00 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Corrections in fiscal year 2026 for the purpose of establishing and supporting the Family Support Program at the Northern State Correctional Facility in accordance with 28 V.S.A.
§ 128.
Sec.
5.
VT LEG #381932 v.1
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  • Introduced As IntroducedOpens in a new window pdf

How this bill changes current law

2 changes Share ↗

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

The bill establishes a Family Support Program within the Department of Corrections to assist incarcerated parents and guardians in Vermont.

  • 28 V.S.A. § 102(c)

    To include funding to sufficiently provide and sustain trauma-informed family support services and programming pursuant to section 128 of this title in the Department’s annual proposed budget for the next subsequent fiscal year for the purposes of developing the State budget required to be submitted to the General Assembly in accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 306.

    Adds a requirement for the Commissioner to include funding for family support services in the annual budget.

  • 28 V.S.A. § 128

    § 128. INCARCERATED PARENTS AND GUARDIANS; FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM (a) Family Support Program. The Department of Corrections shall establish the Family Support Program to provide free parenting and family support to all incarcerated individuals who are parents and guardians. The Program shall include individualized services and programming intended to provide: (1) increased knowledge and skill for incarcerated parents and guardians to address the specific needs of their children; (2) resources to incarcerated parents and guardians to engage in needs-specific planning and communication strategies with their children and their children’s caregivers; (3) child-friendly visitation spaces, in consultation with the Department, for in-person and virtual visits between parents or guardians and their children, including establishing safety protocol; (4) outreach and coordination with appropriate services for the children of incarcerated parents and guardians and the children’s caregivers; (5) improved cross-system coordination and collaboration to deliver necessary services to the families of incarcerated parents and guardians; and (6) reentry support and preparation for incarcerated parents and guardians. (b) Program support. The Department may support the operation of the Family Support Program established pursuant to this section through grants of financial assistance to, or contracts for services with, any nonprofit entity that meets the Department’s requirements. (c) Contingent on funding. The Family Support Program established pursuant this section shall operate only to the extent funds are appropriated for its operation. (d) Annual report. Annually, on or before July 1, the Department shall submit a written report to the House Committees on Corrections and Institutions and on Judiciary and the Senate Committees on Institutions and on Judiciary, concerning: (1) the funding, participation, and outcomes of the services and programming established pursuant to this section; and (2) considerations and any progress towards sustained statewide programming and gender parity.

    Creates a new Family Support Program to assist incarcerated parents and guardians with various support services.

Action History

  1. Rep. Emmons of Springfield moved to commit the bill to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions, which was agreed to

  2. Action Calendar: Unfinished Business

  3. Action Calendar: Governor’s Veto

  4. House message: Governor vetoed bill on May 15, 2025

  5. Notice Calendar: Governor’s Veto

  6. Vetoed by the Governor on May 15, 2025

  7. Delivered to the Governor on May 9, 2025

  8. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence

  9. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence

  10. New Business/Third Reading

  11. 3rd reading ordered

  12. Reported favorably by Senator Norris for Committee on Appropriations

  13. Reported favorably by Senator Plunkett for Committee on Institutions

  14. Read 2nd time

  15. Second Reading

  16. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  17. Favorable report by Committee on Institutions

  18. New Business/Second Reading

  19. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  20. Favorable report by Committee on Institutions

  21. Second Reading

  22. Entered on Notice Calendar

  23. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  24. Favorable report by Committee on Institutions

  25. Second Reading

  26. Entered on Notice Calendar

  27. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Institutions

  28. Read third time and passed

  29. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  30. Third Reading ordered

  31. Report of Committee on Corrections and Institutions, as amended, agreed to

  32. Report of Committee on Corrections and Institutions amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations

  33. Rep. Squirrell of Underhill recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

  34. Rep. Sweeney of Shelburne reported for the Committee on Corrections and Institutions

  35. Read second time

  36. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  37. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  38. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)

  39. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  40. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Corrections and Institutions

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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17 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 173 not signed on

Sponsors (17)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (173)

173 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 173 →

"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.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors H 219?
H 219 is sponsored by Kevin C Winter (Republican), Shawn Sweeney (Democrat), Mary A. A Morrissey (Republican), Brian Minier (Democrat), Jubilee McGill (Democrat), James W Masland (Democrat), Kate Logan (Progressive/Democrat), Martin J LaLonde (Democrat), James A Gregoire (Republican), William "Will" Greer (Democrat), Esme Cole (Democrat), Ela Chapin (Democrat), Conor Casey (Democrat), Bridget M Burkhardt (Democrat), Michelle Bos-Lun (Democrat), Angela Arsenault (Democrat), and Troy Headrick (Independent).
What is the current status of H 219?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 13, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track H 219?
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