H.5

An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Sponsors: Rep. Angela Arsenault, Rep. Martin LaLonde,

Location: Senate Committee on Judiciary

Last Recorded Action: 2/6/2026 - Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary

Committee Activity - Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Judiciary,

10:30 AM

H.5 - An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Walk-Through and Witness Testimony

Michele Childs, Team Lead Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Jennifer Poehlmann, Executive Director, Center for Crime Victim Services
Domenica Padula, Chief of Criminal Division, Attorney General's Office
Charlie Gliserman, Director of Policy, Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Judiciary,

9:00 AM

H.5 - An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Witness Testimony

Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
Kim McManus, Legislative Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Wilda White, Founder, MadFreedom
Hannah Marble, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department for Children and Families
Marshall Pahl, Deputy Defender General and Chief Juvenile Defender, Defender General's Office

Friday, January 9, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Judiciary,

12:30 PM

H.5 - An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Committee Discussion

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Judiciary,

1:00 PM

H.5 - An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Witness Testimony

Jennifer Harlow, Sheriff, Orleans County
Kate Lamson, Public Defender
Sam Prince, Director of Outreach and Advocacy, Vermont Children's Alliance
Kelly Woodward, Retired States Attorney Victim Advocate
Laura Bierley, VRP Project Director, Vermont Legal Aid
Jennifer Poehlmann, Executive Director, Center for Crime Victim Services

Friday, January 30, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Judiciary,

-

H.5 - An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Discussion and Vote

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Judiciary,

11:00 AM

H.5 - An act relating to a hearsay exception for a child under 16 years of age

Walk-through

Michele Childs, Team Lead Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel