In one paragraph
Vermont's H.262 (2025-2026 biennium) would have limited employers' electronic monitoring of employees and use of automated decision systems (ADS) in employment decisions (new 21 V.S.A. sec. 495q). Employers would have had to give 15 days' notice before monitoring and could use an ADS only with human corroboration, an impact assessment and notice, never relying on its output alone. Facial, gait, voice and emotion recognition would be banned. It was referred to House General and Housing on February 19, 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 Vermont employers to give advance notice of monitoring, avoid sole reliance on hiring or discipline algorithms and complete impact assessments.
Key provisions
- Electronic monitoring limited to seven listed purposes, and must be necessary, the least invasive option and limited in data and access; at least 15 calendar days' notice before it begins (sec. 495q(b)-(c))
- Banned: monitoring off-duty time, bathroom or break frequency, private areas and homes, and physical implants (sec. 495q(d)-(e))
- Employers may not rely solely on ADS outputs; use requires human corroboration, a completed impact assessment and notice (sec. 495q(f)-(g))
- ADS may not predict emotions or personality, profile likelihood of exercising legal rights, or use ADS outputs about physical or mental health in decisions (sec. 495q(f))
- Neither monitoring nor ADS may use facial, gait, voice or emotion recognition (sec. 495q(h))
- Employees may request their data and must get a response within seven days; anti-retaliation protection; enforcement under 21 V.S.A. sec. 495b (sec. 495q(j)-(l))
- Would have taken effect July 1, 2025 (Sec. 2). Died in House General and Housing
Latest legislative action
Feb 19, 2025. Read first time and referred to the Committee on General and Housing
Sponsors (showing 5 of 23)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Brian Cina D | Primary |
| Brian Smith R | Primary |
| Monique Priestley D | Primary |
| Brian Minier D | Cosponsor |
| Curtis McCormack | 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