Bill H.937 introduces significant amendments to Vermont law, focusing on the definition and recovery of profits from crime, as well as penalties related to underage alcohol and tobacco possession. A new subchapter titled "Profits from Crime" is added to 3 V.S.A. chapter 7, which defines profits from crimes and establishes a notification requirement for entities that contract with or pay individuals charged or convicted of crimes. The bill empowers victims of crimes to bring civil actions for damages against convicted individuals and allows the Attorney General to recover costs associated with defendants' incarceration. Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding underage possession and consumption of alcohol and tobacco, specifying penalties for individuals aged 12 to under 21 who misrepresent their age to procure these substances.

The bill also makes several amendments to enhance victims' rights and compensation, including expanding the information available to victims about defendants' incarceration status and access to the Vermont Offender Locator website. It repeals the previous definition of "profits from crimes" and alters the composition of the Victims Compensation Board to include a health care provider instead of a physician. Furthermore, the restitution process is modified, lowering the threshold for excess collections from offenders from $10,000 to $5,000, and adjusting the amount payable to victims' estates in crime-related deaths from $10,000 to $5,000. The bill establishes a rapid accountability docket for repeat offenders, increasing the threshold for reporting found property and extending the time frame for contesting temporary orders, while also mandating data collection and reporting on the effectiveness of these dockets.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 7-656, 7-1005, 12-506, 12-2683, 12-4601, 12-5131, 13-1061, 13-2631, 13-5314, 13-5351, 13-5352, 13-5358a(d), 13-5358a, 13-5363, 13-5421, 13-5422, 13-7043, 13-7554c, 14A-505, 15-603(h), 15-603, 15-1085, 18-4230f, 18-4234, 28-304, 27-1101, 33-6936(c), 33-6936
As Passed By the House -- Official: 7-656, 7-1005, 12-506, 12-2683, 12-4601, 12-5131, 13-1061, 13-2631, 13-5314, 13-5351, 13-5352, 13-5358a(d), 13-5358a, 13-5363, 13-5421, 13-5422, 13-7043, 13-7554c, 14A-505, 15-603(h), 15-603, 15-1085, 18-4230f, 18-4234, 28-304, 27-1101, 33-6936(c), 33-6936
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 7-656, 7-1005, 12-506, 12-2683, 12-4601, 12-5131, 13-1061, 13-2631, 13-5314, 13-5351, 13-5352, 13-5358a(d), 13-5358a, 13-5363, 13-5421, 13-5422, 13-7043, 13-7554c, 14A-505, 15-603(h), 15-603, 15-1085, 18-4230f, 18-4234, 28-304, 27-1101, 33-6936(c), 33-6936