The Vermont House has passed a measure intended to protect Vermonters from civil arrest in sensitive locations.
Bill S.209 adds government buildings, schools, shelters, and healthcare facilities to places where a person is not subject to a civil arrest.
In an email following the vote, House Speaker Jill Krowinski, a Democrat, states in part:
“This bill ensures that Vermont’s schools, State buildings and offices, public libraries, hospitals, polling places, social services establishments, licensed children camps, and places of worship remain accessible to all Vermonters without any threat of disruption caused by civil arrests. This legislation ensures that law enforcement agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), must have a judicial warrant if they are to engage with Vermonters in these sensitive locations.”
The bill passed on a voice vote.