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Bill

H 547

An act relating to recognition of military protection orders

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Hango and 1 co-sponsor

Allows military protective orders and sworn statements to be admitted as evidence in civilian protection proceedings to show patterns of abuse.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 547

Overview

H.547 (2025-2026) from Vermont would recognize military protection orders and sworn, written statements as admissible evidence in civilian protection-order proceedings. The bill aims to streamline and strengthen relief for victims of stalking, sexual assault, and domestic violence by allowing military-specific documents and sworn statements to be used to establish patterns of conduct.

Purpose and Intent

  • Recognize sworn statements and military protection orders as evidence in orders against stalking, sexual assault, or domestic relief from abuse.
  • Ensure that information generated in military contexts can be used to support protective orders in civilian court proceedings.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions

    • Expands the term “Military Protective Order” to include orders issued against current members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Vermont National Guard, or state/national guards in other states or territories by a defendant’s commanding officer, using DoD-form documents (12 V.S.A. § 5131 definitions updated).

  • Requests for Orders Against Stalking or Sexual Assault (civil protection actions)

    • A non-family member may file for stalking/sexual assault relief; a minor 16+ may file on their own behalf.
    • The plaintiff may submit an affidavit and may include written statements sworn before officials authorized to administer oaths (e.g., designated under 10 U.S.C. § 936 or 5 U.S.C. § 303).
    • Military protective orders and sworn statements are admissible to establish a relevant pattern or course of conduct in these proceedings (12 V.S.A. § 5133; new subsection (m)).

  • Requests for Relief (domestic protection orders)

    • Similar framework for family/household member relief; allows minors 16+ or those in dating relationships to seek relief.
    • Plaintiff may include sworn statements and military protective orders as evidence to show a pattern of conduct (15 V.S.A. § 1103; new subsection (l)).

  • Financial/Victim Support (National Guard context)

    • Vermont Adjutant General would provide financial assistance to current/former National Guard members who were victims of sexual assault/harassment to cover travel expenses for related proceedings. This provision clarifies support without expanding rights to participate (20 V.S.A. § 942b(g)).

Affected Parties

  • Victims seeking protection: stalking/sexual assault/domestic violence survivors, including minors 16+ and individuals in dating relationships.
  • Defendants: individuals subject to protective orders, including those who are or were military members.
  • Military personnel: those involved in military protective orders and related sworn statements.
  • Courts and law enforcement: judges and clerks handling protection-order proceedings will be able to admit military orders and sworn statements as evidence.
  • National Guard members: potential victims receive travel-expense support to participate in related proceedings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Amendments to multiple Vermont statutes to incorporate admissibility of military protective orders and sworn oath statements into protection-order proceedings.
  • Administration and implementation align with existing processes for sworn statements and DoD/agency-authenticated oaths.

Practical Impact

  • May expedite relief by allowing faster use of relevant military documents and sworn statements to demonstrate a pattern of abuse.
  • Provides clearer avenues for victims connected to military service to obtain protective orders.
  • Creates a modest support mechanism for National Guard victims traveling to participate in proceedings.

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

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