Vermont H0022 amends the Public Records Act to make severance pay and benefit extension agreements public.

Vermont H0022 amends Vermont’s Public Records Act to ensure that information concerning severance pay and benefit extension agreements is available for public inspection and copying. It mandates that public agencies publish annual reports detailing these agreements, including names, positions, amounts paid, benefits extended, duration, and reasons for termination. The act also allows courts to assess reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and up to $2,500 in punitive damages, against agencies found to have improperly withheld or delayed access to public records.

Vermont H0022 amends the Public Records Act to make severance pay and benefit extension agreements public.

Vermont H0022 amends Vermont’s Public Records Act to ensure that information concerning severance pay and benefit extension agreements is available for public inspection and copying. It mandates that public agencies publish annual reports detailing these agreements, including names, positions, amounts paid, benefits extended, duration, and reasons for termination. The act also allows courts to assess reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and up to $2,500 in punitive damages, against agencies found to have improperly withheld or delayed access to public records.