Bill S.109 proposes significant amendments to Vermont's judiciary procedures, focusing on the adult court diversion program and the jurisdiction of the Judicial Bureau. It mandates the Attorney General to create an adult court diversion program accessible in all counties, aimed at providing restorative options for both individuals alleged to have caused harm and their victims. The terminology has been updated, replacing "responsible party" with "person referred to the program," and clarifying that the program can accept referrals both pre-charge and post-charge, with the post-charge program limited to individuals with established probable cause. The bill also addresses the appointment and term of Superior judges, the jurisdiction of the Judicial Bureau regarding tobacco product violations, and the expungement of criminal records for specific offenses.

Additionally, the bill introduces a Family Support Program within the Vermont Department of Corrections, designed to offer free parenting and family support services to incarcerated parents or guardians. This program will provide various resources, including support for enhancing parenting skills and facilitating communication with children. The Department is tasked with developing a phased plan to expand this program to all correctional facilities by 2028 and is required to submit an annual report on its funding and outcomes. Other notable changes include the establishment of a Firearm Surrender Order Compliance Working Group, amendments to judicial salaries, and provisions related to parental rights and community service requirements for specific violations, all aimed at improving legal processes and protections in the state.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 12-5135(b), 12-5135, 14-931, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 12-5135(b), 12-5135, 14-931, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 12-4937, 13-4013
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 12-4937, 13-4013, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 12-5135(b), 12-5135, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 28-126
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 12-5135(b), 12-5135, 14-931, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 12-4937, 13-4013, 33-5231(d), 33-5231, 33-5317(d), 33-5317, 15-202, 13-7556, 28-818, 4-39, 23-1210(c), 23-1210, 28-102(c), 28-102
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 12-4937, 13-4013, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 28-126, 33-5231(d), 33-5231, 33-5317(d), 33-5317, 15-202, 28-818, 4-39, 23-1210(c), 23-1210, 28-102(c), 28-102
As Enacted: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 12-4937, 13-4013, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 28-126, 33-5231(d), 33-5231, 33-5317(d), 33-5317, 15-202, 28-818, 4-39, 23-1210(c), 23-1210, 28-102(c), 28-102
Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment Official: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 12-4937, 13-4013, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 33-5231(d), 33-5231, 33-5317(d), 33-5317, 15-202, 28-818, 4-39, 23-1210(c), 23-1210, 28-102(c), 28-102
Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment Unofficial: 3-164, 4-71, 4-1102, 4-1106, 7-1005(c), 7-1005, 12-4937, 13-4013, 13-5351(7), 13-5351, 13-7282, 14-3068, 14-4051, 14A-1316, 33-5204(b)(2)(A), 33-5204, 33-5204(b), 33-5225, 27-348, 32-1003, 28-126, 33-5231(d), 33-5231, 33-5317(d), 33-5317, 15-202, 28-818, 4-39, 23-1210(c), 23-1210, 28-102(c), 28-102