The bill H.642, introduced by Representative LaLonde, proposes significant changes to the judicial proceedings involving youthful offenders in Vermont. Key provisions include requiring the court to consider whether the youth has acknowledged the harm caused by their alleged conduct when determining if public safety will be protected by treating them as a youthful offender. Additionally, the bill mandates the revocation of youthful offender status if the youth is charged with a violent crime while on probation, unless they can demonstrate that public safety will still be protected and that they remain amenable to treatment. The bill also stipulates that if a youth fails to appear at a probation revocation hearing without good cause, their youthful offender status will be revoked.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the rights of victims in youthful offender proceedings, ensuring they can attend and express their views during the youthful offender consideration and disposition hearings. It clarifies that victims have the right to be notified of court proceedings and to present victim impact statements. The bill also includes various amendments to existing legal language, such as changing "his or her" to "the youth's" and ensuring that the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections are responsible for supervising and providing services to the youth until they reach 22 years of age. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 33-5284, 33-5285, 33-5288