Bill H.361 aims to establish municipal and regional community police oversight boards in Vermont, which will function independently from law enforcement agencies and the Vermont Criminal Justice Council. These boards will be responsible for receiving and investigating complaints against law enforcement, with the authority to hire staff, draft public reports, and make training recommendations. The bill introduces new definitions for "community police oversight board" and outlines their powers, including monitoring law enforcement trends and participating in collective bargaining processes. Key amendments require law enforcement agencies to report complaints to these boards and cooperate with their investigations, while also emphasizing the need for diverse representation on the boards.

Additionally, the bill enhances the investigative powers of the oversight boards, allowing them to request assistance from law enforcement, inspect agency records, administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and contract with external organizations for investigations. It establishes a process for handling public complaints, including conditions for dismissing grievances and the requirement for a public report at the end of investigations. The bill also amends the Vermont Municipal Labor Relations Act to recognize community police oversight boards as municipal employers, ensuring their involvement in collective bargaining when public safety employees are included. The provisions of this legislation are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 20-2351a, 20-2358, 20-2401, 20-2403, 20-2410, 21-22