The bill H.705, introduced by Representatives Priestley and Sibilia, seeks to establish a "Student Secular Bill of Rights" in Vermont, which guarantees students the freedom to practice any religion or none at all on school grounds while prohibiting school-sponsored religious teachings. It requires the Agency of Education to develop a model student secular rights policy that all school districts must adopt, ensuring protections for students' rights regarding religious freedom. Key provisions include the right to practice religion, the right to be free from discrimination based on religious beliefs, and the right to be free from school-sponsored religious activities, such as prayer and religious instruction.

Additionally, the bill mandates that each school district and approved independent school create a formal grievance procedure for reporting violations of student rights, with specific timelines for acknowledging and investigating complaints. It allows for civil actions against public officials who knowingly violate these provisions and includes whistleblower protections for school employees. The Agency of Education is also responsible for developing training materials and model policies to assist schools in compliance, with a deadline for guidance issuance set for September 1, 2026, and a 120-day period for school districts to adopt their policies. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.