Establishes a Restorative Justice Program for nonviolent offenders in Vermont.

The bill establishes a Restorative Justice Program for nonviolent offenders in Vermont, allowing courts to refer offenders to community reparative boards instead of or in addition to traditional sentencing. The program applies to offenders who have pled guilty to nonviolent felonies, misdemeanors, or certain civil contempt offenses. The program is not a condition of probation, and offenders must return to court if the reparative board does not accept the case or if they fail to complete the program. The Supreme Court may adopt procedural rules to implement this program.

Establishes a Restorative Justice Program for nonviolent offenders in Vermont.

The bill establishes a Restorative Justice Program for nonviolent offenders in Vermont, allowing courts to refer offenders to community reparative boards instead of or in addition to traditional sentencing. The program applies to offenders who have pled guilty to nonviolent felonies, misdemeanors, or certain civil contempt offenses. The program is not a condition of probation, and offenders must return to court if the reparative board does not accept the case or if they fail to complete the program. The Supreme Court may adopt procedural rules to implement this program.