Senate orders third reading of bill formalizing post‑adjudication restorative‑justice program

The Vermont Senate on April 1 ordered third reading of H540, a bill that incorporates recommendations from the post‑adjudication reparative program working group into statute.

Senator Vhovski, reporting for the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the bill largely reorganizes existing statutory language, removes restorative justice from child‑support cases, and clarifies court authority to require participation in restorative justice. "One of the biggest things this actually does is it adds in factors for the courts to consider when they're considering restorative justice," the senator said, listing factors such as parties' agreement to referral, victims' views, community impact, the person's willingness to participate, and any orders of protection.

Vhovski said the bill also tasks the court administrator with creating a standardized referral form for use across Vermont courts and encourages (but does not compel) the Supreme Court to consider procedural rules to support the program. The senator described the bill as a "small next step" to broaden access to restorative services and said the program aims to improve geographic equity in access to restorative justice.

The report cited the 2024 act that created the working group and explained the group's charge to define eligibility, procedures, and financial stability for the program. The bill sets an effective date of July 1, 2026. After the report, the presiding officer called the question and the Senate ordered third reading of H540.

Next steps: H540 has been ordered for third reading; the transcript does not record final passage in this segment.