The 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 tasked with receiving, investigating, and addressing complaints against law enforcement officers and agencies within their jurisdictions. They will have the authority to hire staff, conduct investigations, and publish public reports with recommendations that the Vermont Criminal Justice Council must consider. The bill emphasizes the importance of community engagement and mandates that the boards consist of diverse members, including individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds.

Key amendments to existing law include the insertion of definitions related to the functions of community police oversight boards and the requirement for law enforcement agencies to report complaints to these boards. The bill grants the boards significant investigative powers, such as the ability to request assistance from law enforcement, inspect agency records, administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and contract with external organizations for investigations. It also amends the Vermont Municipal Labor Relations Act to recognize community police oversight boards as municipal employers, requiring their involvement in collective bargaining processes. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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