Vermont
Vermont Video Recording Laws
Vermont permits video recording in public spaces without restriction. No state statute bars filming on streets, in parks, or at government meetings. The voyeurism statute (13 V.S.A. 2605) makes it a crime to record someone's intimate areas without consent in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Vermont allows video recording in public without restriction. The state's voyeurism statute (13 V.S.A. 2605) creates limits in private settings, and the nonconsensual intimate images law (13 V.S.A. 2606) prohibits sharing private images without consent.
This guide covers public filming rights, voyeurism penalties, the Open Meeting Law, and how Vermont case law defines privacy expectations for video.
Public Video Recording
No Vermont statute prohibits video recording in public. You can film on streets, sidewalks, parks, government buildings, and at public events. Video-only recording does not implicate federal wiretap law, which focuses on audio interception.
Voyeurism (13 V.S.A. 2605)
It is a crime to intentionally view, photograph, film, or record a person's intimate areas without consent where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
| Offense | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense | 2 years, $1,000 fine |
| Second or subsequent | 3 years, $5,000 fine |
| Involving minors | 5 years, $5,000 fine |
Nonconsensual Intimate Images (13 V.S.A. 2606)
| Offense | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Disclosure without consent | 2 years, $2,000 fine |
| Disclosure for profit | 5 years, $10,000 fine |
2024 Deepfake Amendment
Act 161 of 2024 (H.878), signed June 6, 2024, amended 13 V.S.A. 2606 to expressly cover digitized and synthetic intimate images. AI-generated deepfakes that depict an identifiable person in a sexual manner fall within the statute.
Federal TAKE IT DOWN Act
The TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed May 19, 2026, requires online platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate imagery -- including AI-generated deepfakes -- within 48 hours of a victim's request. This operates alongside Vermont's 13 V.S.A. 2606 and provides an additional federal removal remedy.
Open Meeting Law
Vermont Act 133 (2024) requires public bodies to record their meetings and post recordings for at least 30 days. Vermont Act 51 (effective June 9, 2025) updated posting deadlines. The public can record selectboard, city council, school board, and state legislative meetings.
Privacy Expectations (Case Law)
- Public parking lot -- No privacy (State v. Brooks)
- Hospital ER -- No privacy (State v. Rheaume)
- Private home -- Privacy protected (State v. Geraw)
More Vermont Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism & Hidden Cameras | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant | Dashcam Laws | Schools | Medical Recording
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to [video record someone in Vermont without consent](/is-it-illegal-to-video-record-someone-without-their-consent)?
In public, yes. In private places, 13 V.S.A. 2605 prohibits recording someone's intimate areas without consent where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
What are the penalties for voyeurism in Vermont?
First offense: up to 2 years and $1,000 fine. Second offense: up to 3 years and $5,000 fine. Involving minors: up to 5 years and $5,000 fine.
Does Vermont law cover deepfake videos?
Yes. Act 161 of 2024 amended 13 V.S.A. 2606 to cover digitized and synthetic intimate images including AI-generated deepfakes. The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (May 2026) also requires platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim's request.
Can I record a public meeting in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont's Open Meeting Law protects public recording of government meetings. Public bodies must also make their own recordings available.
Is sharing intimate images without consent illegal in Vermont?
Yes. Under 13 V.S.A. 2606, nonconsensual disclosure carries up to 2 years. Disclosure for profit carries up to 5 years. AI-generated deepfakes are expressly covered under the 2024 amendment.
Can I use video as evidence in Vermont court?
Yes. Lawfully recorded video is generally admissible. Authentication, relevance, and chain of custody requirements apply.
Sources and References
- 13 V.S.A. 2605 -- Voyeurism(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2606 -- Nonconsensual Disclosure of Intimate Images(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Act 161 of 2024 (H.878) -- Deepfake Amendment(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. 310-314)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 2511 -- Federal Wiretap Act(law.cornell.edu)