Vermont
Vermont Voyeurism Laws
Vermont criminalizes voyeurism under 13 V.S.A. 2605, prohibiting intentional viewing, photographing, or recording of a person's intimate areas without consent wherever a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. A first offense carries up to two years in prison; displaying or disclosing a recorded image to a third party carries up to five years, regardless of the victim's age.
Vermont addresses voyeurism and hidden camera offenses through two primary statutes: 13 V.S.A. 2605 (voyeurism) and 13 V.S.A. 2606 (nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images). Vermont Supreme Court case law, particularly State v. Geraw (2002), provides additional protections against hidden recording in private homes.
This guide covers what conduct is prohibited, criminal penalties, the interaction with federal law, and remedies for victims.
Vermont Voyeurism Statute (13 V.S.A. 2605)
What the Law Prohibits
A person commits voyeurism by intentionally viewing, photographing, filming, or recording a person's intimate areas without their consent in circumstances where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. The law applies regardless of whether the person is in a public or private setting.
Criminal Penalties
| Offense | Maximum Prison | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | 2 years | $1,000 |
| Second or subsequent | 3 years | $5,000 |
| Displaying/disclosing recorded image to a third party (13 V.S.A. 2605(c)) | 5 years | $5,000 |
Nonconsensual Intimate Images (13 V.S.A. 2606)
Knowingly disclosing images of an identifiable person who is nude or engaged in sexual conduct, without consent, with intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce.
| Offense | Maximum Prison | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 years | $2,000 |
| For profit | 5 years | $10,000 |
2024 Deepfake Amendment (Act 161)
Act 161 of 2024 (H.878), signed June 6, 2024, amended 13 V.S.A. 2606 to cover digitized and synthetic intimate images. AI-generated deepfakes that depict an identifiable person in a sexual manner are now expressly covered. The amendment added a definition of "digitization" to bring computer-generated intimate imagery within the statute's scope.
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 receiving a victim's request. Federal criminal penalties apply to the creation and distribution of such images. This law operates alongside Vermont's 13 V.S.A. 2606 and provides an additional federal removal remedy.
Hidden Cameras and State v. Geraw
The Vermont Supreme Court ruled in State v. Geraw (2002) that placing hidden recording devices inside a private home without consent or a warrant violates Article 11 of the Vermont Constitution. This is the strongest privacy protection against hidden cameras in Vermont, applying to all recording in private residences.
Where Protections Apply
Strong privacy expectation: Private homes (Geraw), hotel rooms, bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, medical examination rooms.
No privacy expectation: Public parking lots (Brooks), hospital ERs (Rheaume), public streets, stores.
Federal Law Interaction
The Video Voyeurism Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 1801) applies on federal property. Federal wiretap law (18 U.S.C. 2511) applies to audio captured by hidden cameras.
Reporting
Contact local law enforcement. Do not disturb hidden devices. Document details. Consult an attorney about civil claims including invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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 voyeurism a felony in Vermont?
Voyeurism is punishable by up to 2 years for a first offense, or up to 5 years if the recorded image is displayed or disclosed to a third party. Nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images for profit carries up to 5 years.
Are hidden cameras illegal in Vermont?
Hidden cameras are illegal in private homes under State v. Geraw and in any location where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy under 13 V.S.A. 2605.
Does Vermont law cover deepfakes and AI-generated intimate images?
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.
Does Vermont have a revenge porn law?
Yes. 13 V.S.A. 2606 criminalizes nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images with up to 2 years imprisonment, or 5 years if done for profit. The 2024 deepfake amendment extended this to AI-generated imagery.
What should I do if I find a hidden camera in Vermont?
Contact law enforcement. Do not disturb the device. Document everything. Consult an attorney about civil remedies.
Can my landlord install cameras in my apartment in Vermont?
No. Under State v. Geraw, hidden recording devices in private homes violate Article 11. Your rental unit is a private home.
Updates
Corrected the 13 V.S.A. 2605(c) penalty: the 5-year/$5,000 tier applies to displaying or disclosing a recorded image to a third party, not to offenses involving minors (the statute has no minors-based enhancement).
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 3 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
United States Code Title 18
§ 1801Video voyeurismIn forcecited in 79 of our articles
Whoever, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, has the intent to capture an image of a private area of an individual without their consent, and knowingly does so under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. In this section— the term “capture”, with respect to an image, means to videotape, photograph, film, record by any means, or broadcast; the term “broadcast” means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons; the term “a private area of the individual” means the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of that individual; the term “female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; and the term “under circumstances in which that individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means— circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that he or she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image of a private area of the individual was being captured; or circumstances in which a…
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Alaska Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: AS 11.61.123 Explained (2026), Arizona Surreptitious Recording & Voyeurism Laws: ARS 13-3019 Penalties (2026), Arkansas Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Penalties, and Defenses (2026)
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 59: Lewdness and Prostitution, Subchapter: LEWD AND INDECENT CONDUCT
§ 2605VoyeurismIn forcecited in 13 of our articles
(a) As used in this section: (1) “Bona fide private investigator or bona fide security guard” means an individual lawfully providing services, whether licensed or unlicensed, pursuant to 26 V.S.A. §§ 3151 and 3151a. (2) “Female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola. (3) “Circumstances in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that his or her intimate areas would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether that person is in a public or private area. This definition includes circumstances in which a person knowingly disrobes in front of another, but does not expect nor give consent for the other person to photograph, film, or record his or her intimate areas. (4) “Intimate areas” means the naked or undergarment-clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of a person.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Medical Recording Laws, Vermont Laws on Recording in Public, Vermont School Recording Laws
§ 2606Disclosure of sexually explicit images without consentIn forcecited in 8 of our articles
(a) As used in this section: (1) “Disclose” includes transfer, publish, distribute, exhibit, or reproduce. (2) “Harm” means physical injury, financial injury, or serious emotional distress. (3) “Nude” means any one or more of the following uncovered parts of the human body: (A) genitals; (B) pubic area; (C) anus; or (D) post-pubescent female nipple. (4) “Sexual conduct” shall have the same meaning as in section 2821 of this title. (5) “Visual image” includes a photograph, film, videotape, recording, or digital reproduction, including an image created or altered by digitization. (6) “Digitization” means the process of altering an image in a realistic manner utilizing an image or images of a person, including images other than the person depicted, or computer-generated images. (b)(1) A person violates this section if the person knowingly discloses a visual image of an identifiable person who is nude or who is engaged in sexual conduct, without the person’s consent, with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the person depicted, and the disclosure would cause a reasonable person to suffer harm.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Video Recording Laws, Vermont Smart Glasses Recording Laws 2025, Vermont AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
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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 to 2606(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Vermont Constitution -- Article 11(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 18 U.S.C. 1801 -- Video Voyeurism Prevention Act(law.cornell.edu)