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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont S.180 allows courts to refer nonviolent felony and misdemeanor offenders to community reparative boards without probation
Last action · January 6, 2026: Read 1st time & referred to Committee on JudiciarySponsor: Nader Hashim
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont S.180 permits courts to refer individuals who plead guilty to certain nonviolent felonies or misdemeanors directly to community reparative boards or the Restorative Justice Program without requiring probation. The bill adopts recommendations from the Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Changes sentencing pathways for individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses by allowing restorative justice participation independently of formal probation supervision, subject to board acceptance and successful completion.
- The Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group was established to evaluate and make recommendations regarding restorative justice and community reparative board programs in Vermont criminal proceedings. context
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.
offenders who have pled guilty to a nonviolent felony or misdemeanor
Offenders may be referred to a community reparative board or the Restorative Justice Program without mandatory probation, but must return for sentencing if they fail or are rejected.
community reparative boards
Boards evaluate referred cases, manage restorative justice programs, and determine whether offenders complete the program to their satisfaction.
Court Administrator
Required to create standardized forms for the referral of offenders to the Restorative Justice Program to be used in all state courts.
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 eligible for referral to a community reparative board under this bill?
Does a referral to a community reparative board require the court to place the offender on probation?
What happens if an offender fails to complete the reparative board program?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 6, 2026SenateIntroducedRead 1st time & referred to 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.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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