The bill amends 7 V.S.A. § 656 to lower the age threshold for civil violations related to the procurement, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages from 16 years to 12 years. It introduces penalties for impaired driving and cannabis possession, allowing individuals aged 12 and older to be penalized for knowingly possessing up to one ounce of cannabis or five grams of hashish. The bill also establishes definitions for terms related to alcohol and cannabis, aligns them with existing statutes, and outlines procedures for handling violations, including the issuance of notices and suspension of driving privileges. Individuals who violate these provisions must be referred to the Court Diversion Program and complete the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program, with penalties including civil fines and potential driving privilege suspensions.

Additionally, the bill amends laws related to the Diversion Program and impaired driving violations, allowing individuals to seek review of suspensions before filing a complaint with the Judicial Bureau. It mandates that both adult and juvenile diversion programs accept cases from the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program and establishes confidentiality measures for suspension records. The Office of the Attorney General is required to submit an annual report starting October 1, 2026, detailing statistics related to the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program and impaired driver violations, while also developing outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of suspensions and the program. Several existing statutes concerning underage alcohol and cannabis possession are repealed, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 7-656, 7-657a, 23-1216
As Passed By the House -- Official: 7-656, 7-657a, 23-1216, 23-1209a(a), 23-1209a
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 7-656, 23-1209a(a), 23-1209a
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 7-656, 7-657a, 23-1216, 23-1209a(a), 23-1209a
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 7-656, 23-1209a(a), 23-1209a
As Enacted: 7-656, 23-1209a(a), 23-1209a