VT H0628

Expands eligibility for protection orders to cover defendants currently under Department of Corrections supervision who have been convicted of serious offenses including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic assault, sexual assault, stalking, or child sexual abuse crimes

Adds new authority for courts to order defendants to continue paying household bills they were responsible for at the time the plaintiff filed, for a fixed period of time

Maintains existing protections including no-contact orders, residence possession, temporary parental rights, child support (up to 3 months), pet custody, return of personal documents, and vehicle possession

Amends 15 V.S.A. § 1103 governing requests for relief from abuse by family or household members

Effective date: July 1, 2026