Bill H.380 proposes to enhance the penalties for violations of conditions of release by reclassifying such violations as felonies. Specifically, the bill amends 13 V.S.A. § 7559 to increase the maximum penalty for violating a condition of release from a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for six months to a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for not more than three years. Additionally, it increases the penalty for failing to appear in court from a maximum of two years to three years of imprisonment, or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Furthermore, the bill aims to bolster the Department of Corrections' Pretrial Supervision Program by creating 12 new permanent Pretrial Supervision Officer positions and two administrative support positions, effective in fiscal year 2026, contingent on available funding. These new positions will assist in supervising program participants and managing the program's operations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 13-7559