The bill H.860 proposes the establishment of the Justice and Recovery Hub and Spoke System Working Group, which will be tasked with developing a proposal for a justice and recovery hub on State land adjacent to the Costello Courthouse and the Department of Labor in downtown Burlington. The Working Group will also identify additional sites along public transit corridors for recovery spokes that offer similar services. The group will consist of various members, including representatives from regional planning commissions, the Secretary of Human Services, and the Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, among others. The Working Group is expected to engage with local stakeholders to create a comprehensive proposal that includes a 200-bed residential facility for justice-involved individuals, recovery housing for youth, and nonresidential components such as public safety infrastructure and small business storefronts.

Additionally, the bill outlines the Working Group's powers and duties, which include public engagement strategies and the potential use of State land for temporary shelters during the engagement process. The Working Group will receive administrative and technical assistance from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and is required to submit a report with its proposals and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 15, 2027. The bill also appropriates $200,000 for stakeholder engagement and expert staffing, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.