Vermont lawmakers have passed a sweeping, first-of-its-kind bill expanding protections for transgender people in prison, marking one of the strongest state-level responses yet to the Trump administration’s escalating prison policies targeting trans people.
The legislation, titled H.550, passed on 21 May.
According to reporting from Transitics via Substack, the bill acknowledges that incarcerated trans people face heightened risks of abuse, harassment and sexual violence.
It requires prison staff to respect inmates’ gender identities and undergo gender-responsive training.
Transfers and gender-affirming care
The bill also allows incarcerated trans people to request transfers to facilities that align with their gender identity.
Those requests would be reviewed alongside medical and mental health professionals with experience in gender-affirming care.
In some cases, Vermont could transfer prisoners to facilities in other states, including Colorado, which recently established dedicated housing units for trans women.
The legislation also lays the groundwork for future legal protections around access to gender-affirming care in prison settings.
Response to Trump prison policies
The move comes as the Trump administration continues pushing policies that advocates warn could endanger trans people in federal custody.
Those include attempts to restrict access to gender-affirming care, weaken Prison Rape Elimination Act protections, and house trans women in men’s prisons.
Vermont’s bill explicitly directs the state to continue complying with pre-Trump federal protections for trans inmates, even as federal policy shifts.
Supporters say the legislation recognises that trans people in custody are particularly vulnerable and need clear safeguards around housing, healthcare, safety and dignity.
Bipartisan support
The bill passed with broad bipartisan support, including backing from most Republican senators.
It now heads to Republican Governor Phil Scott’s desk.
Scott, who has previously supported LGBTQ+ rights protections, is expected to sign the bill into law.
If enacted, the legislation would position Vermont as a national leader in protecting transgender people behind bars at a time when LGBTQ+ advocates say trans prisoners are facing growing political and institutional threats.
