Vermont

Vermont has achieved four of six pillars of reform. To achieve full reform, the state must mandate the testing of newly collected kits, and appropriate public funds for reform. The state has eliminated its backlog.

Reform Status
Some Reform
Testing Status
Complete
Untested Kits
Now 0*
Then 58**
* According to information by internal sources in the state, Vermont does not have a backlog of untested kits.
** According to a media report by Seven Days News there were 58 untested kits in Vermont in 2017.

Pillar Count

4/6 Pillars
Vermont has achieved four of six pillars of reform. To achieve full reform, the state must mandate the testing of newly collected kits, and appropriate public funds for reform. The state has eliminated its backlog.
Statewide Inventory

Yes, the state carried out a one-time inventory.

Vermont carried out an inventory of untested kits through non-legislative means.

Test Backlogged Kits

Yes, the state has eliminated its backlog.

Vermont eliminated its backlog through non-legislative means.

Test New Kits

No, the state has not mandated testing.

  • According to the law, how much time after a rape kit examination do hospitals have to notify law enforcement that a kit is ready to be picked up? n/a
  • According to the law, after being notified, within what time frame is law enforcement required to pick up the kit? n/a
  • According to the law, after picking the kit up, within what time frame is law enforcement required to submit the kit to the lab? n/a
  • According to the law, after receiving the kit, within what time frame is the lab required to test the kit? n/a
  • Does the law allow crime labs to outsource kits for testing if they are unable to meet the deadline? n/a
Implement Tracking System

Yes, tracking system in use.

Vermont implemented a tracking system through non legislative means. All law enforcement agencies, hospitals and forensic labs participate in the system. Though the tracking system does not have a victim portal, survivors are given a unique number and they can access the status of their kit in real time by calling the statewide SANE organization.

Victim's Right To Know

Yes, the state has granted victims the right to notice and be informed on the status of their kit.

  • Do victims have the right to receive information of the location, testing date, and testing results of their kit? Yes
  • Do victims have the right to be informed when there is any change in the status of their case? No
  • Do victims have the right to receive notification before destruction of their kit? Yes
  • Are victims granted further preservation of the kit or its probative contents? Yes
  • Are victims provided with the contact information for the designated liaison(s) at the corresponding law enforcement agency at the time that a kit is collected? No
  • Do victims have the right to receive a physical document identifying their rights under law? Yes
Fund Reform

No, the state has not allocated any of its own funds towards reform.

n/a

Take Action Today to Bring Further Rape Kit Reform to Vermont

CONTACT YOUR ELECTEd officials

State Reform Timeline

2024
Bill: Enacted
H878 enacted in Vermont

In 2024, legislators in Vermont introduced H878. This bill grants victims the right to know the status and location of their sexual assault kit. The bill was enacted into law. Read our letter of support.

2020
Inventory
Vermont carries out a second inventory

A second rape kit audit in Vermont was completed in 2020. Initially the audit revealed around 20 unaccounted for kits, most which were identified as not having been entered into the tracking system correctly. Almost all of those kits were sent to the crime lab to be processed.

2017
Bill: Enacted
H74 enacted in Vermont

In 2017, Vermont enacted H74, granting sexual assault survivors the right to have their kits delivered to the lab within 72 hours of collection, the right to information about the testing status of their kits, and the right to notice in advance of planned kit destruction.

Report
33 kits found in Vermont

After an inventory in 2017, a total of 58 untested kits were found. After careful examination of each of these cases, it was determined that there were actually 33 unaccounted for kits.

Bill: Enacted
S95 enacted in Vermont

In 2017, Vermont enacted S95, establishing the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Study Committee, which was to evaluate existing practices for tracking rape kits and study the feasibility of developing a statewide tracking system.

Other
Vermont's tracking system goes live

In 2017, Vermont’s rape kit tracking system went live.

We haven’t filed an Accountability FOIA in this state ⏤ yet.

Want to advocate for accountability in your state?

Take Action Today

More from Vermont

2023 End The Backlog Legislative Update
As the state legislative sessions are ending or paused for a summer break, we look back at our achievements this year. 29 states and Puerto Rico introduced 50 bills related to our six pillars of comprehensive sexual assault kit reform. Out of these, 12 states passed 15 laws. This year, Mississippi enacted its first ever […]
Rape Kit Reform in 2022
In the 2022 session, we rebuilt our website endthebacklog.org, wrote an academic book chapter and “The State of the Backlog” report, while successfully advocating for rape kit reform across the country. “The State of the Backlog” report provides a birds-eye view of rape kit reform field, focusing on what we have started, where we have […]