Vermont committee advances amended H.211 that tightens data‑broker rules, converts universal deletion to study

The Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on Jan. 28 examined draft 2.2 of H.211, a bill that revises the state’s data‑broker registry, tightens registration timing and adds new verification, bonding and deletion provisions for entities that buy and sell personal information.

The committee’s legislative counsel reviewed key changes: data brokers would be required to maintain procedures ensuring brokered personal information is disclosed only for a legitimate, legal purpose; brokers must verify prospective users and certified purposes before furnishing data; and registration would be required within 30 days of meeting the broker definition and then annually by July 1. The draft adds a proposed $20,000 bond requirement and shows a registration fee at a higher statutory level than current law.

Why it matters: supporters and privacy groups say modern data brokers collect and resell highly granular dossiers — including location traces and sensitive inferences — that can harm consumers, enable scams and raise safety risks. Supporters urged a centralized deletion option to give Vermonters a realistic way to opt out of widespread commercial profiling.

Consumer Reports policy analyst Matt Schwartz…