Legislative Preview

Since this is the start of a new legislative biennium, legislators face a “clean plate” when they gather at the Statehouse in January.

A speaker must be elected and committees formed before any business can be done. Then, only new bills introduced this year will be considered. Some bills will be resubmissions or adaptations of bills introduced in the last session, while others will be completely new.

Every session always has its wild cards, too – bills or resolutions spawned by an issue of the moment that demands attention or is politically appealing.

Here are several areas where we anticipate legislation with civil liberties implications:

Sex offender laws. The Senate Judiciary Committee has developed a “34-point comprehensive plan for Vermont’s sexual abuse response system,” following summer and fall hearings on sex offender issues. Among the proposals are changing Vermont rules of evidence to widen the admissibility of a defendant’s prior “bad acts” during court proceedings, and expand DNA collection. Read the ACLU-VT's testimony to the committee, and our special "Focus" piece on the "Myths and Realities of DNA," based on remarks by National ACLU science advisor Tania Simoncelli at our annual meeting.

Same-sex marriage. Vermont is no longer in the vanguard of protecting the rights of same-sex couples. Advocates hope the state will move this year from civil unions (passed in 2000) to marriage. Three states now provide for gay marriage -- Massachusetts was first, followed by California (a right now in dispute), and Connecticut. All three came through court decisions. Read the ACLU-VT's testimony to the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection.

Cyber-bullying. The state is being asked to grant schools authority to punish students for out-of-school misconduct. See story in our most recent newsletter, and read the ACLU-VT's dissent to the majority report of the Legislature's "cyber-bullying" study committee.

Judiciary efficiencies. Proposals to curtail a defendant’s right to be present in court for hearings, as well as close some courts, could pose due process concerns. Read the ACLU-VT letter to legislative leaders concerning possible budget cuts to Vermont's court system.

Day One Initiative. A coalition is working to have the Legislature ask the new president for swift action to end civil liberties abuses. Read more about the initiative.

During the session, we publish regular legislative e-updates. Send an e-mail to info@acluvt.org with the message, “Subscribe to e-updates,” if you'd like to be added to our distribution list.

Also, watch the “Civil Liberties Journal” feature on our home page for civil liberties news, including legislative actions.