H 547

 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.547
 2026  Page 1 of 4
1H.547
2 Introduced by Representatives Hango of Berkshire and Ode of Burlington
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Court procedure; domestic relations; protection orders
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to recognize
7 sworn statements and military protection orders as evidence when obtaining an
8 order against stalking or sexual assault or a domestic relief from abuse order.
9    An act relating to recognition of military protection orders
10 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
11 Sec. 1. 12 V.S.A. § 5131 is amended to read:
12 § 5131. DEFINITIONS
13    As used in this chapter:
14***
15(9) “Military protective order’’ means an order issued against a current
16 member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Vermont National Guard, or the
17 national guard of another state or territory by a defendant’s commanding
18 officer, on a form prescribed by the United States Department of Defense.
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 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.547
 2026  Page 2 of 4
1 Sec. 2. 12 V.S.A. § 5133 is amended to read:
2 § 5133. REQUESTS FOR AN ORDER AGAINST STALKING OR
3SEXUAL ASSAULT
4    (a) A person, other than a family or household member as defined in 15
5 V.S.A. § 1101(2), may seek an order against stalking or sexual assault on
6 behalf of himself or herself themselves or his or her their children by filing a
7 complaint under this chapter. A minor 16 years of age or older may file a
8 complaint under this chapter seeking relief on his or her their own behalf. The
9 plaintiff shall submit an affidavit in support of the order and may include a
10 submission of written statements sworn before a person authorized pursuant to
11 10 U.S.C. § 936 or 5 U.S.C. § 303 to administer oaths.
12***
13    (m) A military protective order and written statements sworn before a
14 person authorized pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 936 or 5 U.S.C. § 303 to administer
15 oaths shall be admissible evidence in proceedings under this chapter for the
16 purpose of establishing a relevant pattern or course of conduct.
17 Sec. 3. 15 V.S.A. § 1101 is amended to read:
18 § 1101. DEFINITIONS
19    As used in this chapter:
20***
                                                                    VT LEG #385667 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.547
 2026  Page 3 of 4
1(8) “Military Protective Order’’ means an order issued against a current
2 member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Vermont National Guard, or the
3 national guard of another state or territory by a defendant’s commanding
4 officer, on a form prescribed by the United States Department of Defense.
5 Sec. 4. 15 V.S.A. § 1103 is amended to read:
6 § 1103. REQUESTS FOR RELIEF
7    (a) Any family or household member may seek relief from abuse by
8 another family or household member on behalf of themselves or their children
9 by filing a complaint under this chapter. A minor 16 years of age or older, or a
10 minor of any age who is in a dating relationship as defined in subdivision
11 1101(3) of this chapter, may file a complaint under this chapter seeking relief
12 on the minor’s own behalf. The plaintiff shall submit an affidavit in support of
13 the order and may include a submission of written statements sworn before a
14 person authorized pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 936 or 5 U.S.C. § 303 to administer
15 oaths.
16***
17    (l) A military protective order and written statements sworn before a person
18 authorized pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 936 or 5 U.S.C. § 303 to administer oaths
19 shall be admissible evidence in proceedings under this chapter for the purpose
20 of establishing a relevant pattern or course of conduct.
                                                                    VT LEG #385667 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  H.547
 2026  Page 4 of 4
1 Sec. 5. 20 V.S.A. § 942b is amended to read:
2 § 942b. EXPENSES OF MILTARY COURTS
3***
4    (g) The Adjutant General shall provide current and former members of the
5 National Guard who were the victims of sexual assault or sexual harassment
6 while members of the National Guard with financial assistance when the
7 victims participate in adverse administrative proceedings or Vermont Code of
8 Military Justice proceedings related to the sexual assault or sexual harassment.
9 The financial assistance shall cover the reasonable expenses incurred from
10 traveling to and from those proceedings. This section shall not be construed to
11 alter or expand a victim’s right to participate in such proceedings.
12 Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE
13    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
                                                                    VT LEG #385667 v.1