Vermont bill adds public transit workers to protected professionals under assault laws

Original title: An act relating to establishing increased criminal penalties for an assault of a public transit worker

Last action · February 18, 2025: Read first time and referred to the Committee on JudiciarySponsors: Emilie Krasnow and 13 others

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What This Bill Would Do

The bill expands Vermont's assault statutes to include public transit workers, establishing up to a one-year prison sentence for a first offense and up to 10 years for subsequent offenses. The measure takes effect upon passage.

Why it matters

Public transit drivers and transit center employees gain heightened legal protections against assault and bodily fluid contact while performing their duties, aligning their status with law enforcement and health care workers.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

public transit workers

Public transit workers are included under the protected professional statute, increasing criminal penalties for assaults against them while performing lawful duties.

Directly affected

defendants convicted of assault

Individuals convicted of assaulting a public transit worker face increased prison terms of up to one year for a first offense and up to 10 years for subsequent offenses.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered a public transit worker under this bill?

A public transit worker is defined as a driver providing public transit as an employee or volunteer, or an employee supporting public transit riders at a transit center.

What are the penalties for assaulting a public transit worker?

A first offense carries a sentence of not more than one year in prison. A second or subsequent offense carries a sentence of not more than 10 years in prison.

Does the bill apply to minors in residential facilities?

No, the section does not apply to individuals under 18 years of age residing in a residential rehabilitation facility.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

1 action

Feb 18, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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