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VT H195: An act relating to use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement in cases involving sexual exploitation of children

Effective May 4, 2021 Vermont · 2021–2022 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

H195 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since May 4, 2021
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Vermont's H.195 (Act 17 of 2021) makes a narrow exception to the 2020 moratorium on police facial recognition (Act 166 of 2020, Sec. 14). Law enforcement may use facial recognition technology during a criminal investigation into sexual exploitation of children under 13 V.S.A. chapter 64, but only to search for images, including video, of a victim, potential victim or identified suspect within electronic media legally seized in that investigation. The act took effect on passage; the Governor signed it May 4, 2021.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Facial recognition vendors may support Vermont police only in the narrow child-exploitation media searches this act allows.

Key provisions

  1. Authorizes law enforcement facial recognition use in criminal investigations of sexual exploitation of children (13 V.S.A. chapter 64)
  2. Overrides the Act 166 of 2020 moratorium only for these investigations
  3. Search limited to images of a victim, potential victim or identified suspect
  4. Search confined to electronic media legally seized in the specific investigation
  5. Effective on passage (signed May 4, 2021)

Latest legislative action

May 4, 2021. Act 17 of 2021; signed by the Governor May 4, 2021; effective on passage

Sponsors

NameRoleDistrict
D Sponsor HD-WAS7

Topics and industries

Related topics

Facial RecognitionAI in Law Enforcement

Affected industries

GovernmentTechnologyLaw Enforcement

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

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Same topic in other states

Montana SB397 Generally revise laws related to privacy and facial recognition technology Virginia HB1496 Law-enforcement agencies; surveillance technology reporting. Utah SB231 Public Surveillance Prohibition Amendments Maine LD1585 An Act To Increase Privacy and Security by Regulating the Use of Facial Surveill Minnesota SF3072 An act relating to public safety; ... regulating the use of unmanned aerial vehi Washington SB6280 Concerning the use of facial recognition services.