The bill H.138 proposes to establish a maximum liability for municipalities in Vermont regarding tort claims, setting the limit at $500,000 for any one person and $2,000,000 for all persons arising from a single occurrence. This amendment applies to both the State and municipalities, as indicated by the new legal language inserted into the current law. The bill also clarifies that the Superior Courts will have exclusive jurisdiction over these actions and outlines the conditions under which claims can be made against municipalities and their employees.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to replace references to "town" with "municipality" to ensure consistency in terminology. It specifies that municipalities will cover reasonable legal fees for officers acting within their duties, provided there was no malicious intent. The maximum liability established in this bill will also apply to actions against municipal employees. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 12-189, 24-33