The Vermont House of Representatives convened on February 28, 2024, to discuss several key legislative matters, including updates on attorney demographics and a significant bill addressing sexual exploitation.

During the session, a member provided detailed statistics on the attorney composition in Vermont. As of 2023, there are 3,936 licensed attorneys in the state, with 2,581 residing in Vermont. The gender breakdown from a survey of 2,124 members of the Vermont Bar Association revealed that 59.5% identified as male, 35.9% as female, and 4.6% as unknown or other. The ethnic diversity among attorneys was also highlighted, with a majority identifying as white, while only a small number reported as Native American, Asian, or African American.

The discussion also included the submission of highly qualified candidates for judicial positions. Over the past year, multiple lists of candidates were sent to the governor, including 15 names in December 2022 and 11 names for judges and 2 for magistrate positions in December 2023.

The House then moved on to House Bill 694, which addresses sexual exploitation. This bill aims to amend existing statutes related to sexual exploitation, ensuring they are comprehensive and consistent. The proposed changes clarify definitions of "sexual act" and "sexual conduct," expanding the scope of prohibited activities. The bill outlines specific prohibitions against sexual exploitation involving individuals under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, minors, and individuals in custody of law enforcement.

The session concluded with a vote on the bill, which passed with apparent support from the members present. The House will continue to address additional legislative matters in the upcoming sessions.