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VT S0124: An act relating to governmental structures protecting the public health, safety, and welfare

Effective Oct 1, 2020 Vermont · 2019–2020 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

S0124 · 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 Oct 1, 2020
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 S.124 (Act 166 of 2020) is a public safety act whose Sec. 14 imposes a moratorium on facial recognition technology: until the General Assembly authorizes it by law, a law enforcement officer may not use facial recognition technology or information obtained through it, except as permitted for drones under 20 V.S.A. 4622. Facial recognition covers automated or semi-automated identification of a person from facial characteristics and analysis of a face to infer sentiment, state of mind or dangerousness. The act took effect October 1, 2020; the Governor signed it October 7, 2020. Act 17 of 2021 later allowed use in child sexual exploitation investigations.

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

What it means for business

Vendors cannot sell facial recognition tools for use by Vermont police officers except where later law (such as Act 17 of 2021) authorizes it.

Key provisions

  1. Sec. 14: law enforcement officers may not use facial recognition technology or information acquired through it until the General Assembly authorizes it
  2. Exception where use would be permitted for drones under 20 V.S.A. 4622
  3. Facial recognition includes automated identification from facial characteristics and analysis of a face for sentiment, state of mind or dangerousness
  4. Facial recognition technology means any software or application that performs facial recognition
  5. Act effective October 1, 2020

Latest legislative action

Oct 7, 2020. Act 166 of 2020; signed by the Governor October 7, 2020 (act effective October 1, 2020)

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.