Legislative counsel urges separate extortion statute for image-based coercion; committee debates penalties and limits During continued markup of H626, legislative counsel recommended moving extortion provisions into a standalone statute (referred to in discussion as 26 0 7), aligning the penalty with general extortion (5-year felony), and adding enhancements for minors and for outcomes causing serious injury or death. Committee deferred complex financial-tracing proposals and moved statute-of-limitations language for further drafting.

Vermont lawmakers are considering a crucial overhaul of extortion laws, aiming to create a standalone statute for image-based coercion that could reshape penalties for offenders.

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