reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1109 - Article 8 -- Finance.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1109.
Article 8 -- Finance.
(1) The Interstate Commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
(2) The commission shall levy on and collect an annual assessment from each compacting state to cover the cost of the internal operations and activities of the commission and its staff which shall be in a total amount sufficient to cover the commission's annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, taking into consideration the population of each compacting state and the volume of interstate movement of juveniles in each compacting state. The commission shall promulgate a rule binding upon all compacting states which governs the assessment.
(3) The commission may not incur any obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the obligations, nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the compacting states, except by and with the authority of the compacting state.
(4) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its by-laws. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1110 - Article 9 -- State council.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1110.
Article 9 -- State council.
(1) Each member state shall create a State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision.
(2) While each state may determine the membership of its own state council, its membership shall include at least one representative from the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government, victims groups, and the compact administrator, deputy compact administrator, or designee.
(3) Each compacting state retains the right to determine the qualifications of the compact administrator or deputy compact administrator.
(4) Each state council shall advise and may exercise oversight and advocacy concerning that state's participation in commission activities and other duties determined by that state, including but not limited to, development of policy concerning operations and procedures of the compact within that state.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1111 - Article 10 -- Compacting states, effective date, and amendment.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1111.
Article 10 -- Compacting states, effective date, and amendment.
(1) Any state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas Islands as defined in Section 80-6-1103 is eligible to become a compacting state.
(2) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35 states. The initial effective date shall be the later of July 1, 2004, or upon enactment into law by the 35th jurisdiction. Thereafter it shall become effective and binding as to any other compacting state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state.
(3) The governors of nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states and territories of the United States.
(4) The commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the compacting states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the commission and the compacting states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the compacting states.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1113 - Article 12 -- Severability and construction.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1113.
Article 12 -- Severability and construction.
(1) The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is considered unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.
(2) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1114 - Article 13 -- Binding effect of compact and other laws.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1114.
Article 13 -- Binding effect of compact and other laws.
(1) Section A. Other Laws
(a) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a compacting state that is not inconsistent with this compact.
(b) All compacting states' laws other than state constitutions and other interstate compacts conflicting with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
(2) Section B. Binding Effect of the Compact
(a) All lawful actions of the commission, including all rules and by-laws promulgated by the commission, are binding upon the compacting states.
(b) All agreements between the commission and the compacting states are binding in accordance with their terms.
(c) Upon the request of a party to a conflict over meaning or interpretation of commission actions, and upon a majority vote of the compacting states, the commission may issue advisory opinions regarding the meaning or interpretation.
(d) In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any compacting state, the obligations, duties, powers, or jurisdiction sought to be conferred by the provision upon the commission shall be ineffective and the obligations, duties, powers, or jurisdiction shall remain in the compacting state and shall be exercised by the agency thereof to which the obligations, duties, powers, or jurisdiction are delegated by law in effect at the time this compact becomes effective.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1115 - Juvenile compact administrator.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1115.
Juvenile compact administrator.
(1) Under this compact, the governor is authorized and empowered to designate a compact administrator and who, acting jointly with like administrators of other party states, shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms of the compact. The compact administrator shall serve subject to the pleasure of the governor.
(2) The compact administrator is authorized, empowered and directed to cooperate with all departments, agencies and officers of and in the government of this state and this state's subdivisions in facilitating the proper administration of the compact or of any supplementary agreement or agreements entered into by this state.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1116 - Supplementary agreements.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1116.
Supplementary agreements.
The compact administrator is authorized and empowered to enter into supplementary agreements with appropriate officials of other states under the compact. In the event that the supplementary agreement requires or contemplates the use of any institution or facility of this state or requires or contemplates the provision of any service by this state, the supplementary agreement shall have no force or effect until approved by the head of the department or agency under whose jurisdiction said institution or facility is operated or whose department or agency will be charged with the rendering of such service.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1117 - Financial arrangements.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1117.
Financial arrangements.
The compact administrator, subject to the approval of the Division of Finance, may make or arrange for any payments necessary to discharge any financial obligations imposed upon this state by the compact or by any supplementary agreement entered into.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1118 - Responsibility of parents.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1118.
Responsibility of parents.
The compact administrator is authorized to take appropriate action to recover from parents or guardians, any and all costs expended by the state, or any of the state's subdivisions, to return a delinquent or nondelinquent juvenile to this state, for care provided under any supplementary agreement, or for care pending the return of the juvenile to this state.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 6 - Juvenile Justice › Part 11 - Interstate Compact for Juveniles › Section 1119 - Responsibilities of state courts, departments, agencies, and officers.

Effective 9/1/2022
80-6-1119.
Responsibilities of state courts, departments, agencies, and officers.
The courts, departments, agencies and officers of this state and this state's subdivisions shall enforce this compact and do all things appropriate to the effectuation of the compact's purposes and intent which may be within their respective jurisdictions.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 334, 2022 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 7 - Emancipation › Section 102 - Definitions.

Effective 9/1/2021
80-7-102.
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Emancipation" or "emancipated" means a legal status created by court order that allows a minor to:
(a) live independent of the minor's parents or guardian; and
(b) exercise the same rights as an adult under Subsection 80-7-105(1).
(2) "Guardian" has the same meaning as in Section 75-1-201.
(3) "Minor" means an individual who is 16 years old or older.
(4) "Parent" means a natural parent as defined in Section 80-1-102.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 261, 2021 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 7 - Emancipation › Section 103 - Petition for emancipation -- Amending a petition -- Continuance.

Effective 9/1/2021
80-7-103.
Petition for emancipation -- Amending a petition -- Continuance.
(1) A minor may petition the juvenile court on the minor's own behalf for a declaration of emancipation.
(2) The petition under Subsection (1) shall:
(a) be on a form provided by the clerk of the juvenile court; and
(b) state that the minor is:
(i) 16 years old or older;
(ii) capable of living independently of the minor's parents or guardian; and
(iii) capable of managing the minor's own financial affairs.
(3) Notice of the petition shall be served on the minor's parents, guardian, any other person or agency with custody of the minor, and the Child and Family Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General, unless the juvenile court determines that service is impractical.
(4)
(a) When it appears in a proceeding under this chapter that evidence presented points to material facts not alleged in the petition described in Subsection (1), the juvenile court may consider the additional or different material facts raised by the evidence if the parties consent.
(b) The juvenile court, on a motion from any interested party or on the court's own motion, shall direct that the petition be amended to conform to the evidence.
(c) If an amended petition under Subsection (4)(b) results in a substantial departure from the material facts originally alleged, the juvenile court shall grant a continuance as justice may require in accordance with Utah Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 54.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 261, 2021 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 7 - Emancipation › Section 104 - Procedure for emancipation.

Effective 9/1/2021
80-7-104.
Procedure for emancipation.
(1)
(a) Upon the filing of a petition in accordance with Section 80-7-103, the juvenile court shall review the petition for completeness and whether the petitioner meets the age requirement for filing the petition.
(b) If the petition is incomplete or the petitioner does not meet the age requirement, the juvenile court may dismiss the action immediately.
(c) If the petition is complete and the petitioner meets the age requirement, the juvenile court shall schedule a pretrial hearing on the matter within 30 days.
(2) The juvenile court may appoint an attorney guardian ad litem in accordance with Section 78A-2-803 to represent the minor.
(3) At the hearing, the juvenile court shall consider the best interests of the minor according to:
(a) whether the minor is capable of assuming adult responsibilities;
(b) whether the minor is capable of living independently of the minor's parents, guardian, or custodian;
(c) opinions and recommendations from the attorney guardian ad litem, parents, guardian, or custodian, and any other evidence; and
(d) whether emancipation will create a risk of harm to the minor.
(4) If the juvenile court determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that emancipation is in the best interests of the minor, the juvenile court shall issue a declaration of emancipation for the minor.
(5) A juvenile court may modify or set aside any order or decree made by the court in accordance with Section 78A-6-357.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 261, 2021 General Session
2023 Utah Code › Title 80 - Utah Juvenile Code › Chapter 7 - Emancipation › Section 105 - Emancipation.

Effective 9/1/2021
80-7-105.
Emancipation.
(1) A minor who is emancipated may:
(a) enter into contracts;
(b) buy and sell property;
(c) sue or be sued;
(d) retain the minor's own earnings;
(e) borrow money for any purpose, including for education; and
(f) obtain healthcare without parental consent.
(2) A minor who is emancipated may not be considered an adult:
(a) under the criminal laws of the state, unless the requirements of Chapter 6, Part 5, Transfer to District Court, have been met;
(b) under the criminal laws of the state when the minor is a victim and the age of the victim is an element of the offense; and
(c) for specific constitutional and statutory age requirements regarding voting, use of alcoholic beverages, possession of tobacco or firearms, and other health and safety regulations relevant to the minor because of the minor's age.
(3)
(a) An order of emancipation prospectively terminates parental responsibilities that accrue based on the minor's status as a minor under the custody and control of a parent, guardian, or custodian, including parental tort liability for the acts of the minor.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to interfere with the integrity of the family or to minimize the rights of parents or children.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 261, 2021 General Session
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Vermont Statutes Annotated › § 51. Vermont Statutes Annotated defined

§ 51. Vermont Statutes Annotated defined
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Revision of 1959, as published by the Commission to revise the statutory law of Vermont under No. 91 of the Acts of 1957, 1 V.S.A. §§ 1-9, are hereby enacted as positive statute law, exclusive of the prefatory subject matter, analyses, catchlines, notes, annotations, appendixes, tables and indexes contained therein. They may be cited as —— V.S.A. § —— and they shall not, in any citation of the statutes, be considered as acts of the present year. (Added 1959, No. 262, § 1, eff. June 11, 1959.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Vermont Statutes Annotated › § 52. Vermont Statutes Annotated; time of taking effect

§ 52. Vermont Statutes Annotated; time of taking effect
Vermont Statutes Annotated shall take effect from and after July 1, 1959 except the parts thereof as to which a different provision is expressly made therein. (Added 1959, No. 262, § 2, eff. June 11, 1959.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Vermont Statutes Annotated › § 55. Repeal of Vermont Statutes, Revision of 1947, and session laws not to affect associations and corporations

§ 55. Repeal of Vermont Statutes, Revision of 1947, and session laws not to affect associations and corporations
The repeal of the Vermont Statutes, Revision of 1947, and acts of the General Assembly shall not affect associations or private corporations organized thereunder, but they may have and exercise the powers conferred thereby. (Added 1959, No. 262, § 5, eff. June 11, 1959.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Vermont Statutes Annotated › § 56. Limitations, how affected

§ 56. Limitations, how affected
When a limitation or period of time prescribed in an act repealed, for acquiring a right, or barring a remedy, or for any other purpose, has begun to run and the same or a similar limitation is prescribed in the Vermont Statutes Annotated, the time of limitation shall continue to run, and shall have like effect as if the whole period had begun and ended under the operation of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. (Added 1959, No. 262, § 6, eff. June 11, 1959.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Vermont Statutes Annotated › § 57. Vermont Statutes Annotated, continuation of existing laws

§ 57. Vermont Statutes Annotated, continuation of existing laws
The provisions of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, so far as they are the same as those of existing laws, shall be construed as a continuation of those laws, and not as new enactments. (Added 1959, No. 262, § 7, eff. June 11, 1959.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Vermont Statutes Annotated › § 59. Certified copy of Vermont Statutes Annotated

§ 59. Certified copy of Vermont Statutes Annotated
A copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated shall be kept in the office of the Secretary of State, to which copy that officer shall affix a certificate, under his or her hand and the Seal of the State, that the laws therein contained are the statute laws of the State of Vermont; and that certified copy shall be an authentic record of those laws. (Added 1959, No. 262, § 9, eff. June 11, 1959.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 117. General election; local election

§ 117. General election; local election
“General election” shall mean any election of State and county officers, Representatives to the General Assembly, U.S. Senators, Representative to Congress, or electors. “Local election” shall mean any election of town or village officers in towns or villages having more than 4,000 inhabitants.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 122. Justice

§ 122. Justice
“Justice” when applied to a person, other than a Justice of the Supreme Court, shall mean a justice of the peace for the county for which he or she is elected or appointed. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 9, 1974.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 123. Magistrate

§ 123. Magistrate
“Magistrate” shall mean any Supreme Court Justice, Superior judge, District judge, or Probate judge. (Amended 1969, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 24, 1970; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 9, 1974.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 128. Person

§ 128. Person
“Person” shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. (Amended 1969, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 24, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 131. Preceding; following; such; said

§ 131. Preceding; following; such; said
“Preceding” and “following” when used by way of reference to a section of the law shall mean the next preceding or following section. “Such” and “said” when used by way of reference to a person or thing shall apply to the same person or thing last mentioned.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 132. Land; lands; real estate

§ 132. Land; lands; real estate
“Land,” “lands,” and “real estate” shall include lands, tenements, and hereditaments and all rights thereto and interests therein, and pews or slips in places of public worship shall be treated as real estate.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 134. Private

§ 134. Private
When the private seal of a person or corporation is required on an instrument or writing to make such instrument or writing legal and valid, such seal shall consist of an impression as provided in section 133 of this title or of a wafer, wax, or other adhesive substance affixed thereto or of a paper or other similar substance affixed thereto or the word “seal” or the letters “L.S.” opposite the signature.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 134a. Registered mail

§ 134a. Registered mail
“Registered mail,” as the words appear in Vermont Statutes Annotated, the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure and the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure, when used solely for the purpose of securing evidence of delivery, shall include any method of mail delivery requiring the signature of the addressee or his or her agent. (Added 1979, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Apr. 24, 1980.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 139. Town; town officers

§ 139. Town; town officers
“Town” shall include city and wards or precincts therein; “selectboard members” and “board of civil authority” shall extend to and include the mayor and aldermen of cities; “trustees” shall extend to and include bailiffs of incorporated villages; and the laws applicable to the inhabitants and officers of towns shall be applicable to the inhabitants and similar officers of all municipal corporations. This section shall be so construed as not to conflict with the acts of incorporation of or laws specially applicable to such municipal corporations. (Amended 2013, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 72.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 143. Sexual orientation

§ 143. Sexual orientation
The term “sexual orientation” means female or male homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality. “Sexual orientation” shall not be construed to protect conduct otherwise proscribed by law. (Added 1991, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 144. Gender identity

§ 144. Gender identity
The term “gender identity” means an individual’s actual or perceived gender identity, or gender-related characteristics intrinsically related to an individual’s gender or gender-identity, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth. (Added 2007, No. 41, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 145. Include, includes, and including

§ 145. Include, includes, and including
The terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” mean that the language following the term is illustrative and not exhaustive, and shall have the same meaning as though the term were followed by the words “but not limited to.” (Added 2013, No. 5, § 1, eff. April 23, 2013.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 146. Intellectual disability

§ 146. Intellectual disability
“Intellectual disability” or “person with an intellectual disability” shall mean an individual who has significantly subaverage intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior. “Intellectual disability” replaces what was previously known as “mental retardation.” (Added 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 2b.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 147. Psychiatric disability

§ 147. Psychiatric disability
“Psychiatric disability” means an impairment of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory that limits one or more major life activities but does not include intellectual disability. (Added 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 2c.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 148. Developmental disability

§ 148. Developmental disability
“Developmental disability” or “person with developmental disabilities” shall have the same meaning as in 18 V.S.A. § 9302. (Added 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 2d.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 173. Minors

§ 173. Minors
Persons of the age of 18 years shall be considered of age and until they attain that age, shall be minors. Whenever referred to in the laws of this State, a person who is an adult or who has attained majority shall be a resident or nonresident person of 18 years of age or more. (Amended 1971, No. 90, § 1; 1971, No. 184 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 29, 1972.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 174. Notice by publication

§ 174. Notice by publication
When a notice is required to be given by publication in a newspaper, it shall mean a newspaper published in the county where the subject matter is situated, pending or to be heard, or a newspaper published within the State which has a general circulation. In any case, in its discretion, the court may cause such notice to be further published in a newspaper which circulates in the neighborhood of the persons interested. Whenever a notice of any kind is required to be given by publication in a newspaper prior to a certain date for a certain number of weeks successively, it may be given by an insertion prior to such date once a week, for the number of successive weeks required, either in a daily, semiweekly, or weekly newspaper. If such publication is in a daily or semiweekly newspaper, such notice shall be inserted on the same day of each successive week.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 177. Domicile

§ 177. Domicile
Marital status shall not be the sole or determinative factor of a person’s domicile. (Added 1979, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Apr. 23, 1980.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 211. Official acts and resolutions

§ 211. Official acts and resolutions
The acts and resolutions printed or reproduced under 29 V.S.A. § 1115 shall be taken to be the laws and resolutions of the session of the General Assembly at which they were passed, unless the original act and legislative records show otherwise, in which case the original act and legislative records pertaining thereto shall control. (Amended 1969, No. 90, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 212. Effective date of laws

§ 212. Effective date of laws
Laws enacted by the General Assembly shall take effect on July 1 next following the date of their passage, unless it is otherwise specifically provided. (Amended 1961, No. 228, § 1, eff. July 21, 1961; 1969, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1971.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 213. Pending suits unaffected

§ 213. Pending suits unaffected
No act of the General Assembly shall affect a suit begun or pending at the time of its passage, except acts regulating practice in court, relating to the competency of witnesses, or relating to amendments of process or pleadings. (Amended 2015, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 214. Effect of amendment or repeal

§ 214. Effect of amendment or repeal
(a) The amendment or repeal of an act or of a provision of the Vermont Statutes Annotated shall not revive an act or statutory provision which has been repealed.
(b) The amendment or repeal of an act or statutory provision, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, shall not:
(1) affect the operation of the act or provision prior to the effective date of the amendment or repeal thereof;
(2) affect any right, privilege, obligation, or liability acquired, accrued, or incurred prior to the effective date of the amendment or repeal;
(3) affect any violation of the act or provision amended or repealed, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred thereunder, prior to the effective date of the amendment or repeal;
(4) affect any suit, remedy, or proceeding to enforce or give effect to any right, privilege, obligation, or liability acquired, incurred, or accrued under the amended or repealed provision prior to the effective date of the amendment or repeal; and the suit, remedy, or proceeding may be instituted, prosecuted, or continued as if the act or provision had not been repealed or amended.
(c) If the penalty or punishment for any offense is reduced by the amendment of an act or statutory provision, the same shall be imposed in accordance with the act or provision as amended unless imposed prior to the date of the amendment. (Amended 1969, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 24, 1970.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3 - Construction of Statutes › § 215. Severability of provisions

§ 215. Severability of provisions
The provisions of any act are severable. If any provision of an act is invalid, or if any application thereof to any person or circumstance is invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. (Added 1969, No. 16, § 12, eff. March 11, 1969.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 273. Eligibility to hold office

§ 273. Eligibility to hold office
A person shall not be debarred on account of sex from holding any office or position of trust or responsibility under the State, including U.S. Senator and Representative to Congress or any county, town, city, village, town school district, or incorporated fire, lighting, or school district office.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 311. Declaration of public policy; short title

§ 311. Declaration of public policy; short title
(a) In enacting this subchapter, the legislature finds and declares that public commissions, boards, and councils and other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business and are accountable to them pursuant to Chapter I, Article VI of the Vermont Constitution.
(b) This subchapter may be known and cited as the Vermont Open Meeting Law. (Amended 1979, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 24, 1980.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 312a. Meetings of public bodies; state of emergency

§ 312a. Meetings of public bodies; state of emergency
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Affected public body” means a public body:
(A) whose regular meeting location is located in an area affected by a hazard; and
(B) that cannot meet in a designated physical meeting location due to a declared state of emergency pursuant to 20 V.S.A. chapter 1.
(2) “Hazard” means an “all-hazards” as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2(1).
(b) Notwithstanding subdivisions 312(a)(2)(D) and (c)(2) of this title, during a declared state of emergency under 20 V.S.A. chapter 1:
(1) A quorum or more of an affected public body may attend a regular, special, or emergency meeting by electronic or other means without designating a physical meeting location where the public may attend.
(2) The members and staff of an affected public body shall not be required to be physically present at a designated meeting location.
(3) An affected public body of a municipality may post any meeting agenda or notice of a special meeting in two publicly accessible designated electronic locations in lieu of the two designated public places in the municipality, or in a combination of a designated electronic location and a designated public place.
(c) When an affected public body meets electronically under subsection (b) of this section, the affected public body shall:
(1) use technology that permits the attendance and participation of the public through electronic or other means;
(2) allow the public to access the meeting by telephone; and
(3) post information that enables the public to directly access and participate in meetings electronically and shall include this information in the published agenda for each meeting.
(d) Unless unusual circumstances make it impossible for them to do so, the legislative body of each municipality and each school board shall record any meetings held pursuant to this section.
(e) An affected public body of a municipality shall continue to post notices and agendas in or near the municipal clerk’s office pursuant to subdivision 312(c)(2) of this title and shall provide a copy of each notice or agenda to the newspapers of general circulation for the municipality. (Added 2021, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 315. Statement of policy; short title

§ 315. Statement of policy; short title
(a) It is the policy of this subchapter to provide for free and open examination of records consistent with Chapter I, Article 6 of the Vermont Constitution. Officers of government are trustees and servants of the people and it is in the public interest to enable any person to review and criticize their decisions even though such examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment. All people, however, have a right to privacy in their personal and economic pursuits, which ought to be protected unless specific information is needed to review the action of a governmental officer. Consistent with these principles, the General Assembly hereby declares that certain public records shall be made available to any person as hereinafter provided. To that end, the provisions of this subchapter shall be liberally construed to implement this policy, and the burden of proof shall be on the public agency to sustain its action.
(b) The General Assembly finds that public records are essential to the administration of State and local government. Public records contain information that allows government programs to function, provides officials with a basis for making decisions, and ensures continuity with past operations. Public records document the legal responsibilities of government, help protect the rights of citizens, and provide citizens a means of monitoring government programs and measuring the performance of public officials. Public records provide documentation for the functioning of government and for the retrospective analysis of the development of Vermont government and the impact of programs on citizens.
(c) This subchapter may be known and cited as the Public Records Act or the PRA. (Added 1975, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2011, No. 59, § 1; 2015, No. 29, § 1; 2017, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 317a. Management of public records

§ 317a. Management of public records
(a)(1) Public records in general and archival records in particular should be systematically managed to provide ready access to vital information, to promote the efficient and economical operation of government, and to preserve their legal, administrative, and informational value.
(2) Any public agency may seek services from the Statewide Records and Information Management Program, as defined in 3 V.S.A. § 117(b) and administered by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, to establish, maintain, and implement an active and continuing internal records and information management program for the agency.
(b) A custodian of public records shall not destroy, give away, sell, discard, or damage any record or records in his or her charge, unless specifically authorized by law or under a record schedule, as defined in 3 V.S.A. § 117(a)(6), that has been approved by the State Archivist. (Added 2007, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2017, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 318a. Executive Branch Agency Public Records Request System

§ 318a. Executive Branch Agency Public Records Request System
(a) The Secretary of Administration shall maintain and update the Public Records Request System established pursuant to 2006 Acts and Resolves No. 132, Sec. 3 and 2011 Acts and Resolves No. 59, Sec. 13 with the information furnished under subsection (b) of this section and post System information on the website of the Agency of Administration.
(b) All public agencies of the Executive Branch of the State:
(1) that receive a written request to inspect or copy a record under this subchapter shall catalogue the request in the Public Records Request System established and maintained by the Secretary of Administration by furnishing the following information:
(A) the date the request was received;
(B) the agency that received the request;
(C) the person that made the request, including a contact name;
(D) the status of the request, including whether the request was fulfilled in whole, fulfilled in part, or denied;
(E) if the request was fulfilled in part or denied, the exemption or other grounds asserted as the basis for partial fulfillment or denial;
(F) the estimated hours necessary to respond to the request;
(G) the date the agency closed the request; and
(H) the elapsed time between receipt of the request and the date the agency closed the request; and
(2) shall post in a conspicuous location on their respective websites a link to the location on the Agency of Administration’s website where Public Records Request System information is maintained. (Added 2017, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 319. Enforcement

§ 319. Enforcement
(a) Any person aggrieved by the denial of a request for public records under this subchapter may apply to the Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county in which the complainant resides, or has his or her personal place of business, or in which the public records are situated, or in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of Washington County, to enjoin the public agency from withholding agency records and to order the production of any agency records improperly withheld from the complainant. In such a case, the court shall determine the matter de novo, and may examine the contents of such agency records in camera to determine whether such records or any part thereof shall be withheld under any of the exemptions set forth in section 317 of this title, and the burden of proof shall be on the public agency to sustain its action.
(b) Except as to cases the court considers of greater importance, proceedings before the Civil Division of the Superior Court, as authorized by this section, and appeals there from, take precedence on the docket over all cases and shall be assigned for hearing and trial or for argument at the earliest practicable date and expedited in every way.
(c) If the public agency can show the court that exceptional circumstances exist and that the agency is exercising due diligence in responding to the request, the court may retain jurisdiction and allow the agency additional time to complete its review of the records.
(d)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the court shall assess against the public agency reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this section in which the complainant has substantially prevailed.
(2) The court may, in its discretion, assess against a public agency reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in a case under this section in which the complainant has substantially prevailed provided that the public agency, within the time allowed for service of an answer under V.R.C.P. 12(a)(1):
(A) concedes that a contested record or contested records are public; and
(B) provides the record or records to the complainant.
(3) The court may assess against the complainant reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this section when the court finds that the complainant has violated V.R.C.P. 11. (Added 1975, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2011, No. 59, § 5.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 320. Penalties

§ 320. Penalties
(a) Whenever the court orders the production of any public agency records, improperly withheld from the complainant and assesses against the agency reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs, and the court additionally issues a written finding that the circumstances surrounding the withholding raise questions whether the agency personnel acted arbitrarily or capriciously with respect to the withholding, the Department of Human Resources if applicable to that employee, shall promptly initiate a proceeding to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for the withholding. The Department, after investigation and consideration of the evidence submitted, shall submit its findings and recommendations to the administrative authority of the agency concerned and shall send copies of the findings and recommendations to the officer or employee or his or her representative. The administrative authority shall take the corrective action that the Department recommends.
(b) In the event of noncompliance with the order of the court, the Civil Division of the Superior Court may punish for contempt the responsible employee or official, and in the case of a uniformed service, the responsible member.
(c) A person who willfully destroys, gives away, sells, discards, or damages a public record without having authority to do so shall be fined at least $50.00 but not more than $1,000.00 for each offense. (Added 1975, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 2007, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2011, No. 59, § 6.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 331. Definitions

§ 331. Definitions
As used in the subchapter:
(1) “Person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind” means any person who has difficulty hearing, even with amplification, to the extent that the person cannot rely on hearing for communication.
(2) “Proceeding” means any judicial proceeding, contested case under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, or other hearing before an administrative agency not included under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.
(3) “Qualified interpreter” means an interpreter for a person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind who meets standards of competency established by the national or Vermont Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. (Added 1987, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. May 20, 2006; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2023, No. 36, § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 332. Right to interpreter; Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services; assistive listening equipment

§ 332. Right to interpreter; Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services; assistive listening equipment
(a) Any person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind who is a party or witness in any proceeding shall be entitled to be provided with a qualified interpreter or CART services for the duration of the person’s participation in the proceeding.
(b) Any person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind shall be entitled to be provided with a qualified interpreter or CART services upon five working days’ notice that the person has reasonable need to do any of the following:
(1) transact business with any State board or agency;
(2) participate in any State-sponsored activity, including public hearings, conferences, and public meetings;
(3) participate in any official State legislative activities.
(c) If a person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind is unable to use or understand sign language, the presiding officer or State board or agency or State legislative official shall, upon five working days’ notice, make available appropriate assistive listening equipment for use during the proceeding or activity. (Added 1987, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 20, 2006; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2023, No. 36, § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 333. Appointment of interpreter

§ 333. Appointment of interpreter
(a) The presiding officer in a proceeding shall appoint an interpreter after making a preliminary determination that the interpreter is able to:
(1) readily communicate with the person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind;
(2) accurately interpret statements or communications from the person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind; and
(3) interpret the proceedings to the person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind.
(b) The presiding officer shall make findings when appointing an interpreter not designated as a qualified interpreter.
(c) It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the requirements of this section are met if the interpreter proposed for appointment is a qualified interpreter. It shall also be a rebuttable presumption that the requirements of this section are not met if the interpreter proposed for appointment is not a qualified interpreter. (Added 1987, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 20, 2006; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2023, No. 36, § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 5 - Common Law; General Rights › § 335. Compensation

§ 335. Compensation
An interpreter appointed under section 332 of this title is entitled to receive a reasonable fee for services, together with reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses, including travel and lodging expenses. In civil proceedings, the Court may order that costs of the interpreter be paid by a party, as justice may require, or it may order that the costs be paid by the State. In criminal proceedings, costs of the interpreter shall be paid by the State. An interpreter used in connection with administrative proceedings, transacting State business or State-sponsored activities shall be provided at the expense of the agency involved. An interpreter used in connection with official State legislative activities shall be provided at the expense of the legislature. (Added 1987, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)