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

S 9 — An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor 5/1/2025

  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 15, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 02, 2025.

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 78% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    6 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (4 D · 1 I · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

88 added · 44 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated bill now allows for the electronic submission of requests for emergency relief orders, even after regular court hours. It also clarifies that an authorized person can administer oaths over the phone, making it easier for applicants to complete necessary paperwork in urgent situations. This change matters because it streamlines the process for individuals seeking emergency help, enhancing access to justice when time is critical.

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AS PASSED BY SENATE S.9 Page 1 of 2 S.9 An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.9 Page 1 of 4 S.9 Introduced by Senators Hardy, Gulick, Norris, Plunkett, Vyhovsky and White Referred to Committee on Judiciary Date:
January 15, 2025 Subject:
Court procedure;
orders against stalking and sexual assault Statement of purpose of bill as introduced:
This bill proposes to direct the Court Administrator to establish procedures for a plaintiff to obtain an order against sexual assault after regular court hours or on weekends and holidays.
An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
§ 5136(b) is amended to read:
§ 5136(b) is amended to read:
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.9 Page 2 of 4 (A) The court shall designate an authorized person to receive requests for ex parte emergency relief orders submitted after regular court hours pursuant to section 5134 of this title, including requests made by reliable electronic means according to the procedures in this subdivision (2).
(B) If a secure setting is not available for processing an ex parte emergency relief order submitted after regular court hours, or if the authorized person determines that electronic submission is appropriate under the circumstances, the authorized person shall inform the applicant that a complaint and affidavit may be submitted electronically.
(C) The affidavit shall be sworn to or affirmed by administration of the oath over the telephone to the applicant by the authorized person and shall conclude with the following statement:
“I declare under the penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the State of Vermont that the foregoing is true and accurate.
I understand that making false statements is a crime subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, as provided by 13 V.S.A.
§ 2904.” The authorized person shall note on the affidavit the date and time that the oath was administered.
(D) The authorized person shall communicate the contents of the complaint and affidavit to a judicial officer telephonically or by reliable electronic means.
The judicial officer shall decide whether to grant or deny the complaint and issue the order solely on the basis of the contents of the BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.9 Page 3 of 4 affidavit or affidavits provided.
The judicial officer shall communicate the decision to the authorized person, who shall communicate it to the applicant.
If the order is issued, it shall be delivered to the appropriate law enforcement agency for service and to the holding station.
Sec.
2.
EFFECTIVE DATE This act shall take effect on September 1, 2025.
Sec.
1.
12 V.S.A.
§ 5136(b) is amended to read:
(b)(1) The Court Administrator is authorized to contract with public or private agencies to assist plaintiffs to seek relief and to gain access to Superior Court.
Law enforcement agencies shall assist in carrying out the intent of this section.
(2) The Court Administrator shall establish procedures to ensure access to orders against sexual assault after regular court hours or on weekends and holidays in accordance with subdivisions (A)–(D) of this subdivision.
VT LEG #380886 v.1 AS PASSED BY SENATE S.9 Page 2 of 2 (C) The affidavit shall be sworn to or affirmed by administration of the oath over the telephone to the applicant by the authorized person and shall conclude with the following statement:
(C) The affidavit shall be sworn to or affirmed by administration of the oath over the telephone to the applicant by the authorized person and shall conclude with the following statement:
(D) The authorized person shall communicate the contents of the complaint and affidavit to a judicial officer telephonically or by reliable electronic means.
BILL AS INTRODUCED AND PASSED BY SENATE S.9 Page 4 of 4 (D) The authorized person shall communicate the contents of the complaint and affidavit to a judicial officer telephonically or by reliable electronic means.
VT LEG #380886 v.1
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  • Introduced As IntroducedOpens in a new window pdf

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 5/1/2025

  2. Signed by Governor on May 1, 2025

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025

  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. Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Norris, Baruth, Hashim, Mattos, and Vyhovsky

  9. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  10. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  11. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  12. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  13. New Business/House Proposal of Amendment

  14. House proposal of amendment

  15. Entered on Notice Calendar

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

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

  18. Action Calendar: Third Reading

  19. Third Reading ordered

  20. Report of Committee on Judiciary agreed to

  21. Rep. Oliver of Sheldon reported for the Committee on Judiciary

  22. Read second time

  23. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

  24. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

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

  26. Read 3rd time & passed

  27. New Business/Third Reading

  28. 3rd reading ordered

  29. Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Judiciary agreed to

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

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

  32. Second Reading

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

  34. Second Reading

  35. Entered on Notice Calendar

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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6 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 184 not signed on

Sponsors (6)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (184)

184 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 184 →

"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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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 9?
S 9 is sponsored by Rebecca "Becca" E White (Democrat), Tanya C Vyhovsky (Progressive/Democrat), Robert Plunkett (Democrat), Robert W Norris (Republican), Martine Larocque L Gulick (Democrat), and Ruth E Hardy (Democrat).
What is the current status of S 9?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 15, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track S 9?
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