Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts
The Vermont Supreme Court approved the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts Third Annual Report on January 6, 2026. An Executive Summary of the Report, the Report in its entirety and the Appendices referenced in the Report are linked below in the “Related Materials” section.
In recognition of the impact that individuals with mental health issues have on Vermont’s courts and to respond to their needs, the Vermont Supreme Court has recently established the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts. Comprised of representatives from each of the three co-equal branches of Vermont state government including judges, legislators and executive agencies that assist people with serious mental illness, the Commission’s overarching purpose is to advance the pursuit of equal justice under the law while identifying advances in the justice system that will positively impact the administration of justice where it intersects with mental health, evaluate solutions and recommend change.
Commission Members
Chief Justice Paul L. Reiber, Co-Chair
Justice Nancy J. Waples, Co-Chair
Judge Kate Hayes (retired), Vice-Chair
Judge John Pacht, Vice-Chair
Vermont Court Administrator Teri Corsones
Chief Superior Judge Thomas Zonay
Chief of Trial Court Operations Laurie Canty
Vermont Bar Association President Designee T.J. Donovan
Vermont Attorney General Designee Domenica Padula, Chief, Criminal Division
Vermont Defender General Designee Marshall Pahl
Executive Director of the States Attorneys Association Tim Lueders-Dumont
Senator Virginia Lyons
Representative Martin LaLonde
Representative Daisy Berbeco
Commissioner of VT Department of Mental Health Emily Hawes
Commissioner of Department of Corrections Nick Deml
Commissioner of VT Department of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison
Commissioner of VT Department for Children and Families Designee Jennifer Myka, General Counsel
Commissioner of VT Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
Agency of Human Services Secretary Designee Samantha Sweet
Representatives of State’s Designated Hospitals Emma Harrigan and Devon Green
Representatives of State’s Designated Agencies Simha Ravven, M.D. and Karen Kurrle
Vermont Legal Aid Representative Brigid Lynch
Committee on Competency Evaluations and Related Issues (2023; 2024), Justice Karen Carroll, Chair
Committee on Pre-Charge Diversion (2023), Judge Thomas Carlson, Chair
Committee on Post-Charge Pre-Trial Services (2023), Judge Kate Hayes, Chair
Committee on Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Training (2023; 2024), Judge Thomas Zonay, Chair
Peer Support Committee (2024), Judge John Pacht, Chair
Third Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit
The Third Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit was held on September 25, 2025, at the Vermont Statehouse. A recording of the Summit can be viewed below:
Summit Materials
Summit Recording
To watch a recording of the Summit, click here.
Second Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit
The Second Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit was held on September 26, 2024, at the Vermont Statehouse. A recording of the Summit and presenter materials can be viewed below:
Summit Materials
Summit Recording
To watch a recording of the Summit, click here.
First Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit
The First Annual Mental Health and the Courts Summit was held on September 14, 2023, at the Vermont Statehouse. A recording of the Summit and presenter materials can be viewed below:
Summit Materials
The Forgotten Floor - Judge Leifman Video
Summit Recording
To watch a recording of the Summit, click here.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment within Correctional Facilities 101
The Committee on Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Training of the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts presented a one-hour webinar on Tuesday March 18, 2025, entitled “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment within Correctional Facilities 101.” The session was designed to provide judges, lawyers, law enforcement, DOC staff, and clinicians an overview of the system of care in Vermont Correctional Facilities for people with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
Intellectual Disabilities 101
The Committee on Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Training of the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts presented a one-hour webinar on Monday January 13, 2025, entitled “Intellectual Disabilities 101.” The session was designed to provide judges, lawyers, law enforcement, DOC staff, and clinicians an overview of the system of care in Vermont for people with intellectual disabilities. Presentation slides are available below:
Mental Health 101
The Committee on Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Training of the Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts held a webinar on July 18, 2023, entitled “Mental Health 101.” The session was designed to provide judges, lawyers, law enforcement, DOC staff, and clinicians with an overview of the mental health system of care in Vermont. A recording of the webinar can be viewed at the link below:
The Beyond Bars program seeks to help Vermonters who have been incarcerated help overcome mental health and substance use challenges, get and keep good jobs, and meet their other goals. Learn more about the program through the resources below: