The new hazing law will make the act of hazing a civil penalty subject to a fine. Low-income working Vermonters will see a generous increase in their earned income tax credits. As part of a livable wage law passed this year, the tax credit increases by 28 percent. When doing the work on the bill, this rose to the top. In 1998, an estimated 33,200 Vermonters filed for the income tax credit.
Lawmakers hope to make the Internet a safer place for consumers of all ages in Vermont.
The new Internet law updates the current statutes to include cyber crimes such as fraud. The Legislature also tightened up the state's child pornography laws, making it illegal to possess such material, be it photographs, films or computer images. This initiative was part of a larger bill designed to protect children from exploitation. Vermonters can expect more road delays this summer as the highest number of construction projects in recent years get under way, said Sen. Richard Mazza, D-Grand Isle. People will see more constructions sites this season than they have in many, many years.