S 237 — An act relating to restructuring the Parole Board

Bill Text

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

The bill restructures the Parole Board and modifies the eligibility criteria and procedural rights related to parole.

• 28 V.S.A. § 451

  A Parole Board of five members is created → There is created within the Executive Branch an independent commission named the Parole Board. The Parole Board shall be composed of one chair and four members.

  This changes the composition of the Parole Board to include one chair and four members instead of five members.

• 28 V.S.A. § 506

  An offender who is sentenced to a minimum term must have no pending criminal charges to be eligible for parole.

  This establishes a new requirement that offenders with a minimum sentence must not have pending charges to qualify for parole.

• 28 V.S.A. § 403

  To provide regular training for the Parole Board, at least annually, in collaboration with the Parole Board Director, on topics related to making determinations of parole, criminogenic behavior, mental health disorders, substance use treatment, trauma-informed work with victims of crime, and serious crime rehabilitation. → To provide regular training for the Parole Board at least annually.

  This specifies the requirement for annual training for the Parole Board members.

• 28 V.S.A. § 456

  The Parole Board shall be an independent and impartial body. → The Parole Board shall be an independent and impartial body.

  This restates the principle of independence for the Parole Board without changes.

• 28 V.S.A. § 501

  If the inmate’s sentence has a minimum term, the inmate shall be eligible for parole consideration after the inmate has served the minimum term of the sentence. → If the inmate’s sentence has a minimum term, the inmate shall be eligible for parole consideration after the inmate has served the minimum term of the sentence and has no additional pending criminal charges.

  This adds a new condition to the eligibility for parole consideration for inmates with a minimum term.

• 28 V.S.A. § 502c

  the parole agreement shall not become effective until it is signed by the inmate. → The Parole Board may withdraw the granting of parole at any time before the parole agreement is signed by the inmate.

  This adds the provision allowing the Parole Board to withdraw parole before the inmate signs the agreement.

• 28 V.S.A. § 507

  the inmate shall not be present when the victim testifies before the Parole Board. → unless waived by the victim of a listed crime as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 5301(7), the inmate shall not be present when the victim testifies before the Parole Board.

  This maintains the rule but clarifies that the victim can waive the right to exclude the inmate.

• 28 V.S.A. § 818

  The bill includes provisions for earned time that allow a parolee to benefit from it.

  This introduces benefits related to earned time for parolees.

• 28 V.S.A. § 456

  The Parole Board shall be an independent and impartial body.

  This affirms the independence of the Parole Board.

• 28 V.S.A. § 501

  If the inmate’s sentence has no minimum term or a zero minimum term, the inmate shall be eligible for parole consideration within 12 months after commitment to a correctional facility.

  This specifies the eligibility for parole consideration for inmates with no minimum term.

Action History

1. January 13, 2026

   Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary

Sponsors

• Tanya C Vyhovsky · Primary

Subjects