Civil commitment legislation won’t pass during this session

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Leaders of the Vermont Legislature say the Douglas administration won’t get the authority this year to continue holding a twice-convicted murderer beyond his maximum release date. Murderer Kent Hanson is due to get out of prison next month.

Governor Jim Douglas suggested a bill about a month ago that would have allowed authorities to order him committed for further treatment. But leaders of the House and Senate say they have not been able to find a constitutional way of enacting such a law.

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