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Bill

H 192

An act relating to prohibiting solitary confinement for children

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 1 co-sponsor

The bill bans solitary confinement for children and requires non-isolation interventions and safeguards in settings housing minors.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 192

Bill Overview

  • Bill: H 192
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Vermont
  • Title: An act relating to prohibiting solitary confinement for children
  • Status: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services (as of 2025-02-12)
  • Sponsors: Co-sponsors Barbara Rachelson and Angela Arsenault

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to prohibit the use of solitary confinement against individuals under a specified age (children). It seeks to reform current confinement practices by barring or restricting the use of isolation as a disciplinary or housing mechanism for minors in state custody or other relevant settings, aligning with child welfare and health considerations.

Key Provisions and Changes (as outlined by the bill’s title and scope)

  • Prohibition of Solitary Confinement for Children: The central provision would ban the use of solitary confinement for individuals who are legally considered children, typically defined as those under 18, though the exact age definition would be specified within the text of the bill.
  • Alternative Interventions: The bill is likely to require or authorize alternative discipline, de-escalation, or supportive interventions designed to address behaviors without confinement isolating a child.
  • Protections and Safeguards: Provisions may establish formal limits on any form of isolation or solitary housing conditions for minors, including duration limits, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Standards of Care: If confinement is used in other contexts (e.g., adult populations or facilities not housing children), the bill would delineate distinct standards that exclude children from solitary confinement practices.

Note: The exact substantive text (definitions, exceptions, timelines, and enforcement) would be found in the bill's full language. The summary focuses on the core thrust: prohibiting solitary confinement for children and directing alternatives.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Children in Custody or Care: Youth in state custody, juvenile facilities, or settings where confinement practices might be used would be directly affected.
  • Facilities and Institutions: Juvenile detention centers, group homes, short-term holding facilities, and other environments housing minors would need to adjust policies and procedures.
  • Staff and Administrators: Personnel responsible for disciplinary practices and housing decisions for minors would be required to implement non-isolation approaches and receive appropriate training.
  • State and Local Agencies: Departments involved in child welfare, juvenile justice, and corrections would implement compliance measures, reporting, and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced and read in the House, subsequently referred to the Committee on Human Services (as of February 12, 2025).
  • Next Steps: The Committee on Human Services would review, hold hearings, and potentially amend the bill before moving it to the floor for consideration. If passed, it would proceed to the Senate (or other chambers as dictated by Vermont’s legislative process) and await action before becoming law.
  • Effective Date: The specific effective date (e.g., immediate upon enactment, or a phased implementation) would be stated in the bill’s text.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Child Welfare and Health: Reducing or eliminating solitary confinement for minors aligns with research on the negative effects of isolation on children’s mental and physical health.
  • Public Safety and Outcomes: By mandating non-punitive, developmentally appropriate interventions, the bill could influence behavioral outcomes and recidivism, though these effects would depend on implementation.
  • Costs and Training: Facilities may incur costs to train staff and modify infrastructure and procedures to comply with new standards.
  • Monitoring and Compliance: Effective implementation would require clear guidelines, reporting requirements, and oversight to ensure adherence.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical text from the bill’s provisions (definitions, exceptions, enforcement) once the full bill language is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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