Corrections and Institutions Committee

The House Committee on Corrections and Institutions considers matters relating to Vermont’s State bonding as it relates to the financing of State-owned properties, State preservation initiatives, climate change mitigation, and water quality; the Department of Corrections’ role in the criminal justice system; and other similar policies.

H.550/Act 117 (An act relating to gender equity within Vermont’s correctional facilities) supports gender equity in our correctional facilities. Specifically, it recognizes that gender transition is a personal experience that may involve some combination of social transition, legal transition, medical transition. The bill also covers safety concerns, inconsistent medical and mental health care, and supports a transgender individuals’ ability to be recognized with respect and agency throughout the incarceration process. The bill passed the House and Senate, and was signed into law by the Governor on 8 June 2026. 

H.559/Act 111( An act relating to the Parole Board) makes some needed updates to our Parole Board and how it operates. The bill implements a new Pilot Project to provide external support for regular training and legal advice on an as-needed basis. It calls for the Attorney General to coordinate with the Department of Corrections (DOC) to identify and contract with external legal support. It also requires the Parole Board Director to submit a written report in November 2026 detailing the operation of the Pilot Project. The bill passed the House and Senate, and was signed into law by the Governor on 26 May 2026.

H.635/Act 113 (An act relating to eliminating Department of Corrections supervisory fees) corrects issues with a pre-existing law.  The bill eliminates a supervisory fee imposed by DOC. The fee put an undue burden on recently incarcerated individuals. Additionally, a majority of the supervised people were in arrears on these fees and the program’s administrative costs exceeded the revenue it generated. The bill passed the House and Senate, and was signed into law by the Governor on 27 May 2026.