Vermont.

Vermont Constitution, Chapter I, Article 1.

That all persons are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety; therefore slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.

Proposal 2, November 8, 2022.

The proposal's statement of purpose.

This proposal would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to clarify that slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.

Source: Proposal 2 as adopted by the Senate, Vermont General Assembly.

Before and after.

Before the amendment.

therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice, after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, unless bound by the person's own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.

Read from: Proposal 2 as adopted by the Senate, Vermont General Assembly.

As certified.

Source: Official Report of the Canvassing Committee, Vermont Statewide Public Questions, November 8, 2022.

After the vote.

The Research Library holds no ruling under this text yet.

Enforcement in full

In Vermont.

• Vermont Racial Justice Alliance · Website · Instagram · X · Facebook

The record, to download.

• Proposal 2 as adopted by the Senate (PDF)
• Official report of the canvassing committee (PDF)
• Governor's proclamation of ratification, December 13, 2022 (PDF)
• Proposal 2 as adopted by the Senate, Vermont General Assembly, official copy

• Vermont's removed language concerned servitude for debt and similar obligations, not punishment for crime.
• The Governor proclaimed the amendment ratified on December 13, 2022.
• Official arguments for and against have not yet been gathered for this page.