VT H0756

Reduces the notice period for terminating a rental agreement from 14 days to 7 days when termination is based on criminal activity, illegal drug activity, human trafficking, or acts of violence threatening other residents' health or safety

Requires landlords to notify housing authorities within 48 hours after providing termination notice to tenants receiving housing assistance, and to report suspected human trafficking to law enforcement as soon as practicable

Increases maximum penalties for knowingly permitting human trafficking or illegal drug sales in a dwelling from 2 years imprisonment and $15,000 fine to 10 years imprisonment and $500,000 fine

Creates a landlord assistance program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to reimburse landlords up to $2,500 per complaint for legal costs related to evictions due to human trafficking violations, funded with a $2,000,000 General Fund appropriation in FY2027

Requires defendants in ejectment actions to file an answer within 5 business days and authorizes expedited hearings within 10 days for cases involving suspected criminal activity, with the act taking effect July 1, 2026