The bill S.302, introduced by Senators Vyhovsky, Gulick, and White, aims to limit the collection of personally identifying information, particularly immigration status, by public agencies in Vermont. It amends 20 V.S.A. § 4651 to clarify that "public agency" includes all officers, employees, agents, and independent contractors, and prohibits these agencies from collecting immigration status information unless required by specific state or federal law. Additionally, the bill restricts the disclosure of personally identifying information to federal agencies for registration or tracking purposes and prohibits the use of public resources to assist in such federal programs.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any public agency that continues to collect immigration status information after the act's effective date must submit a written explanation to the Office of the Attorney General by December 15, 2026. This explanation must reference the specific law necessitating the collection, and the Attorney General's office is tasked with compiling these explanations and reporting to the House and Senate Committees on Judiciary by March 15, 2027. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 20-4651