Vermont legislation · 2025-2026 Session
Vermont S239: An act relating to the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group
Status: Signed into law, May 7, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group. (S.239) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
From the chaptered text, May 21, 2026:
An act relating to the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group. (S.239) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: Sec. 1. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING WORKING GROUP; REPORT (a) The General Assembly finds: (1) According to Child Trends, a research organization focused on improving the lives of children, youth, and families, data shows that from 2022 through 2024 Vermont had a rate of referrals to child welfare services that was over three times higher than the national level, with a rate of referral of 166 per 1,000 children in Vermont compared to 50 per 1,000 children nationally. Additionally, only 17 percent of such referrals in Vermont met the criteria for further action via an assessment or investigation compared to 54 percent nationally. (2) While the General Assembly recently reviewed and revised child abuse and neglect substantiation procedures that occur after a referral has been accepted by the Department for Children and Families, there has not been a similar review of the training and requirements for mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect to ensure they employ best practices and provide sufficient guidance and resources for mandatory reporters. (3) Data from Child Trends further shows that post-response services such as mental health services, substance misuse treatment, family therapy, VT LEG #389905 v.1 …
Sponsors
- Tanya Vyhovsky (D, Chittenden-Central District) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Senate Message: Signed by Governor [May 21, 2026]
- : Signed by Governor on [May 21, 2026]
- : Delivered to Governor on [May 15, 2026]
- : Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in
- : As passed by Senate and House
- : House proposal of amendment concurred in
- : House proposal of amendment; text
- : Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment
- : New Business/House Proposal of Amendment
- : House proposal of amendment
Common questions
- What is S239?
- S239 is a bill in the Vermont Legislature (2025-2026 Session): An act relating to the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group.
- What does S239 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working Group. (S.239) It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
- What is the status of S239?
- Signed into law as of May 7, 2026. Latest action: Senate Message: Signed by Governor [May 21, 2026] (May 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored S239?
- Tanya Vyhovsky (D, Chittenden-Central District).
- Where is the official record for S239?
- On the Vermont Legislature website: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.239
Source: official Vermont record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.