H.490 is a bill introduced by several representatives aimed at reducing the number of community service hours required for individuals convicted of a second impaired driving offense under 23 V.S.A. 1210(c). The bill includes a findings section that emphasizes the alignment of these reduced time requirements with the State's Restorative Justice Policy, which encourages the use of community service as an alternative to incarceration. This approach is intended to promote the election of community service over jail time for offenses where such alternatives are available.

Additionally, the findings section references current data from the Department of Corrections regarding the population in Vermont correctional facilities, which will serve as a baseline for assessing the potential impact of the bill on incarceration rates. Overall, H.490 seeks to incentivize community service as a sentencing option in specific cases, thereby supporting restorative justice principles and potentially reducing the number of individuals incarcerated in the state.