In one paragraph
Vermont's H.208 (2025-2026 biennium) would have enacted a consumer data privacy and online surveillance law applying to businesses processing data of at least 25,000 consumers, or 12,500 consumers with over 25 percent of revenue from selling data. Consumers could learn whether their data is used in an AI system and opt out of profiling for automated decisions; sensitive data including biometric and neural data would be limited. It would have taken effect July 1, 2026. It was referred to House Commerce on February 12, 2025 and died.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have required covered businesses to disclose AI use of personal data, honor profiling opt-outs and limit sensitive data, with Attorney General enforcement.
Key provisions
- Applies at 25,000 consumers, or 12,500 with over 25 percent of gross revenue from selling personal data, with lower thresholds in 2027 and 2028 (Secs. 2416, 3, 4)
- Consumers may learn whether their personal data is used in any AI system and opt out of profiling for automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects (Sec. 2418(a)(2), (a)(7))
- Privacy notices must describe personal data used for AI training or use (Sec. 2419(f)); data protection assessments for risky profiling (Sec. 2421)
- Sensitive data, including biometric and neural data, may be processed only when strictly necessary and may not be sold (Sec. 2419(c))
- Attorney General enforces as unfair and deceptive acts; limited private right of action for harm from data brokers and large data holders, with the greater of $5,000 or actual damages (Sec. 2424)
- Sec. 1 would have taken effect July 1, 2026; lower thresholds July 1, 2027 and July 1, 2028 (Sec. 5). Died in House Commerce and Economic Development
Latest legislative action
Feb 12, 2025. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
Sponsors (showing 5 of 113)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Jessica Brumsted | Primary |
| Kelly Pajala | Primary |
| Mary Hooper | Primary |
| Theresa Wood D | Primary |
| Abbey Duke D | Cosponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error