The bill H.28, introduced by Representatives Chapin and LaLonde, seeks to amend the Vermont Statutes Annotated by allowing individuals the option to make affirmations in addition to taking oaths in various legal contexts throughout Titles 110. Key changes include redefining "oath" to encompass "affirmation" in multiple statutes, such as in 1 V.S.A. § 127, which now states that "oath shall include affirmation in all cases." The bill also updates language to ensure inclusivity by replacing gender-specific pronouns with neutral terms and clarifying the responsibilities of various officials, including probate judges and the Secretary of Agriculture, who will now have the authority to administer both oaths and affirmations.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of these legal declarations in maintaining the integrity of testimonies and documents, particularly in administrative hearings and legal proceedings. It mandates that reports and applications be submitted under oath or affirmation, reinforcing accountability. The bill also includes technical amendments to improve readability and consistency, ensuring that these changes do not conflict with substantive amendments made by the General Assembly in other legislation. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1-127, 1-137, 2-70(b), 2-70, 2-267a, 3-123(h), 3-123, 3-129, 3-151, 3-153(b), 3-153, 3-156, 3-258, 3-317, 3-925(d), 3-925, 3-965(c), 3-965, 3-1018(d), 3-1018, 3-1030(c), 3-1030, 3-1230(d), 3-1230, 3-2103, 3-3091(b), 3-3091, 4-27b, 4-71, 4-362, 4-461, 4-466(d), 4-466, 4-491, 4-608(f), 4-608, 4-794, 4-803, 4-851, 4-852, 4-1106(b), 4-1106, 5-32, 5-34, 5-1016(d), 5-1016, 5-1017(c), 5-1017, 5-3756, 6-1(a), 6-1, 6-11, 6-2674(a), 6-2674, 6-2722, 6-2762, 6-2929, 6-2972(b), 6-2972, 6-3318, 7-211(b), 7-211, 7-588, 8-13(a), 8-13, 8-2102(a), 8-2102, 8-2117(b), 8-2117, 8-2120(a), 8-2120, 8-2202a(a), 8-2202a, 8-2236a, 8-2260(a), 8-2260, 8-3361(a), 8-3361, 8-3371(e), 8-3371, 8-3561(a), 8-3561, 8-3565(a), 8-3565, 8-3574(b), 8-3574, 8-3686(f), 8-3686, 8-3865, 8-3914, 8-4464(4), 8-4464, 8-4468, 8-4485(a), 8-4485, 8-4495, 8-4503(b), 8-4503, 8-4516, 8-4588, 8-5105(b), 8-5105, 8-6004(d), 8-6004, 8-6007(b), 8-6007, 8-6024(c), 8-6024, 8-6045, 8-7051, 8-7060(a), 8-7060, 8-7075(c), 8-7075, 8-7112, 8-13103(e)(4), 8-13103, 8-13103(e), 8-14405, 8-30501(a), 8-30501, 8-31103(e)(3), 8-31103, 8-31103(e), 8-31309, 9-280, 9-2156, 9-2157, 9-2435(b), 9-2435, 9-2460(a), 9-2460, 9-2518(d)(1), 9-2518, 9-2518(d), 9-2522, 9-2575, 9-3044, 9-3045(b), 9-3045, 9-3346, 9A-3505(b), 9A-3505, 9A-9607(b), 9A-9607, 10-611(h), 10-611, 10-2625(f), 10-2625, 10-4191, 10-4270, 10-4454(d), 10-4454, 10-4508, 10-6027