An act relating to the calculation of recidivism and other related criminology measures
H.410 revises Vermont law governing how the state measures recidivism and repeat violent offending, and it also creates a new chapter on criminology measures and reporting. The bill updates definitions in Title 28 to define “recidivism,” “repeat violent offender,” and related correctional terms, and it establishes a graduated four-class system for recidivism and repeat violent offending based on how much time has passed between sentencing and a new conviction. It also specifies how the Department of Corrections should calculate these measures, including when a person becomes eligible to recidivate and which dates are used for classification.
The bill adds a new reporting framework in Title 13 requiring the Vermont Statistical Analysis Center to produce annual reports on bail rates, recidivism, arrests and clearance rates, and the most commonly convicted crimes and sentencing trends. Those reports must include demographic information when available and rely on data sharing from state and local agencies. The bill also repeals older recidivism-reporting provisions in Title 28 and appropriates funds in fiscal year 2027 to support the new reporting duties. The act is set to take effect July 1, 2026.
H.410 would change how Vermont state agencies define, calculate, and report recidivism and repeat violent offending, replacing the prior single recidivism measure with a tiered classification system. It would affect the Department of Corrections, the Vermont Statistical Analysis Center, and any state or local agencies that must provide data for the required reports. It also amends existing statutes in Titles 13 and 28, repealing outdated recidivism-reporting language and creating new annual reporting obligations backed by General Fund appropriations.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears procedural and policy-oriented rather than overtly contentious. The bill is framed as a data and measurement reform measure intended to improve how Vermont tracks criminal justice outcomes, sentencing trends, and recidivism over time. The inclusion of appropriations for reporting support suggests an effort to make the new reporting requirements administratively workable.
The main potential points of contention are the new data-sharing mandate, the expanded reporting burden on state and local agencies, and the policy choice to replace the existing recidivism definition with a more complex classification system. Agencies may object to the requirement that they provide data notwithstanding other legal obligations, while others may question whether the new metrics better capture public safety outcomes than the prior standard. The bill’s focus on repeat violent offenders and demographic reporting could also raise concerns about how the data will be used and interpreted.