New laws make changes at the intersection of criminal justice and health care
VTDigger
Two of the seven bills that Gov. Phil Scott signed into law Tuesday set out specific law enforcement roles in supporting emergency and mental health care providers. Two others create changes in the treatment of criminal defendants with severe mental illness or deficits and where they will be treated.
A fifth brings Vermont’s gun control regulations in line with federal laws banning straw purchases and tampering with serial numbers on guns, and ensures that the prosecution of crimes by juveniles involving guns, illegal drug sales and human trafficking begin in criminal court.
A sixth new law requires standardization of school safety plans and procedures, while a seventh addresses cancer risks among professional and volunteer firefighters.
For Scott, the overarching theme in the group is public safety, which he called “a primary responsibility for any government” when he announced his actions.