H.342 is a legislative bill designed to enhance the protection of personal information for certain public servants in Vermont, such as judges, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors, in response to the rising threats of violence and intimidation they face due to public access to their personal details. The bill introduces a new section in the Vermont Statutes (9 V.S.A. chapter 62) that establishes a framework for the nondisclosure of protected personal information, including definitions of key terms, the rights of covered persons to request the cessation of disclosure by data brokers, and penalties for violations.

The bill outlines a process for covered persons or their authorized agents to notify data brokers to stop disclosing their protected information, which includes home addresses and phone numbers. Data brokers must comply with these requests within 15 days, with civil penalties for non-compliance. The Attorney General is responsible for creating a notice form and enforcing compliance. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study by the Agency of Digital Services, involving input from relevant stakeholders, to assess the implications of ceasing the disclosure of protected information. The Agency is required to submit a report by December 1, 2026, with findings and recommendations, while the private action rights for covered persons will take effect on January 1, 2026, and the overall act will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 9-62
As Passed By the House -- Official: 9-62
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 9-62