The Latest: Vermont Senate votes to remove slavery

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Latest on the proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting slavery (all times local):

8 p.m.

The state Senate in Vermont — the first state to abolish adult slavery — has given preliminary approval to a proposal to amend the state constitution to remove references to slavery.

The Senate voted 28 to 1 on Wednesday.

The Vermont Constitution currently says no person 21 or older should serve as a slave unless bound by their own consent or “by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.”

The amendment would remove that language and add that slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.

Democratic Sen. Jeannette White says the change will make clearer that Vermont is a state welcoming all.

Colorado voters last year approved a similar constitutional amendment, and this year Utah lawmakers passed a comparable measure.

The Associated Press

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