Bill H.268, introduced by Representative Rachelson of Burlington, aims to enhance consumer protections in Vermont regarding the towing and storage of vehicles by establishing the Vermont Consumer Protection Towing Act. This new chapter outlines minimum standards for towing services, including definitions of relevant terms, applicability to towing companies, and regulatory authority under the Department of Motor Vehicles. Key provisions include a complaint mechanism for consumers and insurers, requirements for emergency and private property towing, and mandates for proper documentation and consumer notification. Towing companies are prohibited from soliciting business at incident scenes and must provide written estimates of charges when vehicle owners are present.

The legislation also introduces specific regulations for record retention, notice requirements, licensing, insurance, and maximum charges for towing and storage. Towing companies are required to maintain records for three years and provide them to law enforcement or the Department of Motor Vehicles within 48 hours of a request. They must notify vehicle owners within 24 hours of towing and provide detailed incident information within five business days. The bill establishes maximum charges for towing and storage, prohibits deceptive practices, and grants the Department of Motor Vehicles authority to inspect operations and investigate complaints. Rules are mandated to be adopted by June 1, 2026, with the bill set to take effect on July 1, 2025.