Committee hears competing views on S.44 limits on state information-sharing with federal authorities

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony Feb. 19 on S.44, a bill that would restrict some Vermont agencies from entering agreements with federal authorities to assist in enforcing federal immigration law and to limit certain kinds of information sharing.

The issue drew testimony from civil‑liberties advocates, the governor's legal counsel, the attorney general's office and the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, who differed on how broadly a statute should limit state cooperation with federal immigration and other investigative efforts.

Advocacy Director, ACLU of Vermont, testified that the ACLU supports the intent of S.44 but offered a package of amendments to broaden protections. The witness said the proposed changes would add categories of protected information — including records about legally protected health care (which the witness identified under Vermont law to include abortion and gender‑affirming care), and information linked to protected First Amendment activity — and would add procedural safeguards for…