MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate could give final approval Wednesday to a bill that would implement new police use-of-force guidelines, ban neck holds by police and require other officers to intervene if they witness other officers using a prohibited restraint.
A second bill up for final approval would require law enforcement agencies to comply with race data reporting requirements.
While the Vermont Legislature had been considering similar proposals for some time, they were given new urgency in the aftermath of the May 25 death of George Floyd, which helped revive the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Limiting the use of force and holding our public safety officers accountable is required to rebuild trust in the system,” Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive and Democrat, said in a statement issued after the Senate gave preliminary approval to the bills on Tuesday.
Both pieces of legislation still need to be considered by the House of Representatives.
The Vermont Legislature hopes to adjourn this week, but return in August.
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