Legislative Report

Below are documents you can access relating to issues at the Statehouse in Montpelier during the 2009-2010 biennium.

Legislative preview. A look ahead to some of the issues with civil liberties implications that may arise during the session.

Legislative update 1-23-09. Sex offender bill rushes through Senate.

Legislative update 2-9-09. Same-sex marriage bill introduced; sex offender bill scrutinized in House committees; ACLU sues over impermissible teaching of religion in public school.

Legislative update 4-3-09. Same-sex marriage bill passes House, faces gubernatorial veto; Iowa Supreme Court overturns ban on gay marriage.

Legislative update 5-2-09. Another sex offender bill, drivers' licenses and the draft, prison co-pays.

2009 END-OF-SESSION REPORT (5-11-09). A look back on legislative actions on civil liberties-related issues.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's testimony to the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection December 2007.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee March 2009.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's testimony to the House Judiciary Committee March 2009.

Same-sex marriage. The ACLU-VT's open letter to Gov. James Douglas.

Day One initiative. Legislative resoulution calling on the new Obama admnistration to close Guantanamo, end torture, and stop extraordinary rendition.

Cyber-bullying. The ACLU-VT's dissent to the majority report of the Legislature's "cyber-bullying" study committee.

Sex offender proposals

• The ACLU-VT's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee concerning proposals to amend sex offender laws and undertake other initiatives.
• The ACLU-VT's first memo to the House Judiciary Committee concerning S. 13 (covers DNA, depositions, administrative "substantiation" hearings, rules of evidence, and use of administrative decisions in sentencing).
• The ACLU-VT's second memo to the House Judiciary Committee concerning S. 13 (covers sharing of confidential documents, changes to probation terms, mandatory minimum incarceration, and "Romeo and Juliet" provisions).
• The ACLU-VT's memo to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees concerning S. 125 (covers expansion of sex offender registry).

DNA database. The myths and realities of collecting and storing DNA in criminal investigation databases.

Judiciary cuts. ACLU-VT letter to legislative leaders concerning possible budget cuts to Vermont's court system.