Judiciary Committee debates adding domestic-violence accountability programming to relief-from-abuse orders; GPS and vehicle provisions also discussed

The Judiciary Committee heard detailed testimony on H.222, a bill that would make explicit in statute that courts may impose domestic violence accountability programming as part of a relief-from-abuse (RFA) order and would add new language addressing electronic tracking (GPS) and temporary use or possession of a vehicle.

Supporters including the Attorney General's Office and victim advocates told the panel the change would give survivors a clear option to ask for programming and would formalize a practice some courts already use. Judges and court officials warned the change shifts RFAs from immediate, protective orders toward affirmative, rehabilitative obligations and said that could increase hearings, raise procedural questions and require new resources.

Todd Dalos, Assistant Attorney General, told the committee, “we continue to strongly support the bill, and the addition of domestic violence accountability programming as part of a relief and abuse order,” while also noting concerns about how programming might interact with criminal liability. Chief Superior Judge Tom Zernaich said Vermont's RFA statute is designed to provide “immediate relief to victims of domestic violence,” and warned that adding affirmative obligations would change how courts conduct the typically short, often-default hearings. Laura Byerly, Director of the Victims Rights Project at Vermont Legal Aid, said survivors want tools to change defendant…