Senate Adopts Judiciary Report on H694 to Align State Law With PREA; Orders Third Reading

The Senate adopted the report of the judiciary committee on H694 and ordered the bill for third reading after a committee reporter described the measure as bringing Vermont law into closer alignment with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The bill clarifies and expands statutory definitions related to sexual misconduct in corrections settings and makes it unlawful for corrections employees, contractors and service providers to engage in sexual acts or relationships with people in the custody of the commissioner of corrections.

The committee reporter said the bill references and harmonizes definitions found in 13 V.S.A. §§ 3251 and 2821 and noted that previous statutes left gaps in definitions of abusive conduct; the legislation includes a proposed penalty of up to five years imprisonment and/or fines up to $10,000 for violations. The reporter said the committee had heard from many witnesses and that a sentencing-commission review prompted the need for broader definitions.

The presiding officer asked for the question on adopting the committee report and later asked the question on third reading; both carried by voice vote and the body ordered third reading. The transcript records committee support and the floor’s voice votes; no roll-call votes or details about amendments were included in the recorded excerpt.