According to recent legislation, the Municipal Code of Ethics in Vermont went into effect on January 1, 2025. This code was established by Act 171, which became law on June 10, 2024. 

Key points about the Vermont Municipal Code of Ethics:

  • Effective date: January 1, 2025
  • Legislation: Act 171
  • Function: Creates a statewide municipal ethics framework 

Act 171 (H.875) requires municipalities to post certain information on their websites:

  1. procedures adopted by the municipality for the investigation and enforcement of complaints, (see next section below)
  2. any supplemental or additional ordinances, rules, and personnel policies regarding ethics adopted by a municipality, (see Conflict of Interest Policy)
  3. a copy of the Municipal Code of Ethics (below, in both PDF and Word versions).

Understanding the Municipal Provisions of Act 171 (H.875)

Procedures for Investigation and Enforcement of Complaints

(Insert Document here)

Municipal Ethics Training

Who is required to complete training on the statewide Municipal Code of Ethics?

As of January 1, 2025, all members of legislative bodies; quasi-judicial bodies; chief administrative officers; mayors; and town and city managers are required to complete training on the new statewide municipal code of ethics. Municipal officers who are in office on January 1, 2025, must complete the training no later than September 25th, 2025, and every three years thereafter. Municipal officers who start after January 1, 2025, must complete the training within120 days of the start of their position, and every three years thereafter. 

While training is required only for the municipal officers listed above, it is recommended that all municipal officers subject to the statewide Municipal Code of Ethics take the training. Municipal officers subject to the Code are: members of municipal legislative bodies, members of municipal quasi-judicial bodies, advisory budget committee members, auditors, building inspectors, cemetery commissioners, chief administrative officers, tax collectors, department heads, first constables, listers, assessors, town clerks, treasurers, mayors, department heads, moderators, planning commission members, road commissioners, town or city managers, village or town trustees, trustees of public funds, and water commissioners.

Where can I complete the training?

Municipal officers can complete free online municipal ethics training via the link below. The training covers the statewide Municipal Code of Ethics, the State Ethics Commission’s role in the municipal ethics complaint process, and the services that are available to municipalities through the State Ethics Commission. It is approximately 45 minutes long.

How can I document that I completed the online training?

Pursuant to Act 171, “The officer, the officer’s employer, or another individual designated by the municipality shall document the officer’s completed ethics training.” When you finish the training, you will be asked to complete a form that asks for your name, municipal title, municipality, email address, and, if you choose, the email address of an additional municipal contact.  It will also ask you to answer some questions to check your understanding of the training. A notification email that you have completed the ethics training will then be sent to the email addresses you provided. You should save this notification as documentation that you have completed the training.