Vermont has a new law that seeks to promote racial justice in the state.
Republican Governor Phil Scott signed into law this week a bill that creates a 13-member advisory panel that will provide recommendations to address racial disparities in Vermont's criminal and juvenile justice systems.
The law requires the attorney general's office and the Human Rights Commission to address racial disparities in areas that include education, labor and employment, housing, health care and economic development. It also requires the Criminal Justice Training Council to review the state's fair and impartial policing policy.
James Lyall, of the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, says the new law is a testament to the advocacy of a broad coalition of Vermonters who are tackling racial injustice issues.
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