Corrections committee clears language to notify opted-in victims about earned time, adds short-lived victim-notification task force to S.109 draft

Montpelier — The House Corrections and Institutions Committee on April 30 reviewed proposed language for Senate Bill 109 that would explicitly allow crime victims who opt in to receive periodic notice when an incarcerated person earns time off a sentence and would create a short-term task force to study and recommend improvements to Vermont’s victim-notification system.

The additions to S.109 would add victims who have opted to receive updates to the current 90-day notification cycle for earned-time reductions and establish a six-member victim-notification task force charged with studying accessibility, trauma-informed communications, expanded automated-notification use and training needs. Committee staff were directed to present clarified language to House Judiciary as the bill moves forward.

The earned-time provision would not change how earned time is calculated, committee staff said. Eric Fitzpatrick, legislative counsel, told members that the amendment “doesn't actually make any changes to that underlying system, and it instead addresses the ... notification requirements.” Under existing law the Department of Corrections must notify victims of the earned-time program and offer an opt-in for updates; the proposed change would make clear victims who opt in receive the same periodic (every 90 days) notice…