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Bill

S 237

An act relating to restructuring the Parole Board

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tanya Vyhovsky

Restructures and strengthens the Vermont Parole Board to be more independent, transparent, and accountable, with clearer eligibility, training, victim participation, and an earned-

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 237

Summary of Bill S.237 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • Restructure the Vermont Parole Board to create a more formalized, professional, and accountable body.
  • Implement clearer staffing, budgeting, training, and victim-notification standards.
  • Clarify eligibility rules, parole agreements, and earned-time opportunities for offenders.
  • Enhance victims’ rights and participation in parole hearings.
  • Provide a specific timeline for implementation and funding.

Key provisions and changes

  • Parole Board structure and staffing (Sec. 3; Sec. 10)

    • Create a Parole Board with:
    • 1 full-time chair
    • 4 regular members (for a five-member board total)
    • Add staff positions:
    • 1 full-time, exempt staff attorney
    • 1 full-time, classified administrative assistant
    • Annual budgeting:
    • Parole Board shall submit an annual budget to the Governor
    • Training:
    • At least annual training for Board members on parole determinations, criminogenic behavior, mental health, substance use treatment, trauma-informed work with victims, and rehabilitation

  • Director and agency oversight (Sec. 4)

    • Establish a Parole Board Director to oversee board operations, ensure legal compliance, develop policies/procedures, and coordinate training with the Commissioner.

  • Board independence and operations (Sec. 5)

    • Reinforce the Parole Board as an independent, impartial body.
    • In parole revocation hearings, Board members shall not be counseled by Assistant Attorneys General or DOC-attorney staff.
    • Defender General to be notified and given opportunity to participate when DOC or A.G.-provided trainings are offered on parole revocation hearings.

  • Parole eligibility and process (Sec. 6; Sec. 7)

    • Eligibility for parole consideration:
    • If no minimum term or zero minimum term: eligible within 12 months of commitment
    • If there is a minimum term: eligible after serving the minimum term and with no additional pending criminal charges
    • Parole agreements (Sec. 7):
    • Parole Board issues an agreement detailing inmate, offense, sentence, and terms/conditions
    • Copy provided to parolee and to the Commissioner
    • Agreement becomes effective only after the inmate signs
    • Parole can be revoked only through standard process or if the parolee voluntarily relinquishes parole
    • Parole agreement serves as authority for supervision and detention under law

  • Victims’ rights and testimony (Sec. 1; Sec. 8)

    • Victims have right to notification before release (including parole), with confidentiality protections for provided contact info
    • Victims of listed crimes must be notified at least 30 days before a parole hearing and informed of the right to testify or submit a statement
    • Inmates may be excluded from parole hearings when victims testify (unless waived)
    • Hearings subject to Vermont Open Meeting Law

  • Open records and notification specifics (Sec. 8)

    • Notification timing and testimony rules maintained; defines “victim” for purposes of these sections

  • Earned time program (Sec. 9)

    • Vermont’s earned time framework to reduce term for certain offenders, with detailed standards:
    • Applies to all sentenced offenders except certain categories (probation, certain offenders on certain terms, life sentences, etc.)
    • Earn seven days of term reduction per month for each month without major disciplinary violations and not reincarcerated for release-conditions violations
    • 1 day reduction per day of residential treatment for substance use disorders (treatment period excluded from eligibility except as specified)
    • Victims must be notified about earned-time opportunities, and offenders/ victims receive timely notices of reductions
    • Documentation of all earned-time reductions in permanent records; monthly reporting of reductions to victims who opt in
    • Disqualifying offenses and “interrupted sentence” definitions outlined (e.g., murder, kidnapping, sexual offenses, etc.)

  • Disqualification and eligibility specifics (Sec. 9)

    • Defines “disqualifying offense” and “interrupted sentence” for earned time purposes
    • Notes historical carve-outs related to earned time for offenders convicted of disqualifying offenses as of certain dates

  • Effective date (Sec. 11)

    • Act takes effect July 1, 2026

Affected parties

  • Incarcerated individuals eligible for parole and parolees
  • Parole Board members and staff (including new chair, five-member board, and supporting staff)
  • Parole Board Director and related administrative structure
  • Department of Corrections and its personnel (as it interacts with parole hearings and training)
  • Victims of listed crimes (and individuals designated as “victims” for purposes of notice and testimony)
  • The Attorney General’s Office and Defender General with respect to training and participation in hearings
  • The Governor, who will receive the Parole Board’s budget request

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026
  • Budgeting: Parole Board must submit annual budget to Governor (Sec. 5)
  • Staffing and funding plan:
    • Specific FY 2027 funding in Sec. 10:
    • $160,000 for Chair
    • $150,000 for staff attorney
    • $100,000 for administrative assistant
    • $20,000 for required training
  • Training and oversight:
    • Mandatory annual training established by statute (Sec. 2)
    • Director role established with defined duties (Sec. 4)

Notes and considerations

  • The bill emphasizes victims’ involvement and notification rights, including testimony opportunities.
  • It increases Board independence and limits external legal counsels’ influence in revocation contexts.
  • The earned-time provisions introduce a structured reduction framework with notable eligibility limitations, particularly around disqualifying offenses.
  • The restructuring includes administrative and budgetary accountability measures, aligning the Board more closely with executive oversight while preserving independent decision-making.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Vermont parole governance or a plain-language FAQ for impacted individuals.

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

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