The bill amends various sections of Vermont's juvenile justice laws, primarily to raise the age of delinquency jurisdiction from 18 to 22 years. Specifically, it changes the definition of a "child" to include individuals who have committed acts of delinquency after turning 12 and before turning 22. Additionally, it extends the jurisdiction of the Family Division of the Superior Court over children who commit delinquent acts, allowing for jurisdiction to continue until six months after the child's 20th or 21st birthday, depending on their age at the time of the offense, and introduces a new provision for those who are 19 years old at the time of the offense, allowing jurisdiction to extend until their 22nd birthday.

The bill also includes provisions for the Agency of Human Services to report on the implementation of the "Raise the Age" initiative, which is set to take effect on July 1, 2027. The reports will focus on various aspects of the initiative, including the establishment of secure residential facilities and the expansion of community-based services. The effective dates for the different sections of the bill vary, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2025, and others on March 31, 2025, while the full implementation of the initiative is scheduled for July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 33-5102
As Passed By the House -- Official: 33-5102, 33-5103(c), 33-5103, 33-5201(d), 33-5201, 33-5203, 33-5204, 33-5206
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 33-5102, 33-5103(c), 33-5103, 33-5201(d), 33-5201, 33-5203, 33-5204, 33-5206
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 33-5102, 33-5103(c), 33-5103, 33-5201(d), 33-5201, 33-5203, 33-5204, 33-5206
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 33-5102, 33-5103(c), 33-5103, 33-5201(d), 33-5201, 33-5203, 33-5204, 33-5206
As Enacted: 33-5102, 33-5103(c), 33-5103, 33-5201(d), 33-5201, 33-5203, 33-5204, 33-5206