Source: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/33/069
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 10:56:26+00:00

Document:
(5) a hospital, nursing home, residential care home, home health agency, or any entity providing nursing or nursing-related developmental disabilities; services for remuneration; intermediate care facility for adults with developmental disabilities; therapeutic community residence, group home, developmental home, school or contractor involved in caregiving; or an operator or employee of any of these facilities or agencies.
(b) Any other concerned person not listed in subsection (a) of this section who knows of or has received a complaint of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or who has reason to suspect that any vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited may report or cause a report to be made in accordance with the provisions of section 6904 of this title.
(a)(1) The Commissioner shall cause an investigation to commence within 48 hours after receipt of a report made pursuant to section 6904 of this title.
(A) Notify the reporter, the victim, and the victim's legal representative, if any, in writing if Adult Protective Services or the Division of Licensing and Protection decides not to investigate the report. The notification shall be provided within five business days after the decision is made and shall inform the reporter that he or she may ask the Commissioner to review the decision.
(B) Notify the reporter, the victim, and the victim's legal representative, if any, in writing if Adult Protective Services or the Division of Licensing and Protection refers the report to another agency. The notification shall be provided within five business days after the referral is made.
(C) Notify the reporter, the victim, and the victim's legal representative, if any, in writing of the outcome of the investigation. The notification shall be provided within five business days after the decision is made and shall inform the reporter that he or she may ask the Commissioner to review the decision.
(5) an opportunity for the person who allegedly abused, neglected, or exploited to be interviewed.
(c) Upon completion of the investigation, a written report describing all evidence obtained and recommending a finding of substantiated or unsubstantiated shall be submitted to the Commissioner or designee for final resolution. If the recommendation is for a finding of substantiated the person shall be given notice of the recommendation, and the evidence which forms the basis of the recommendation, and shall be notified of how a substantiated report might be used. The person shall be offered an opportunity to dispute the recommendation and may, within 15 days of notification, request an administrative hearing in front of the Commissioner or designee. Following the hearing, or if no hearing is requested within 15 days of notification, the Commissioner or designee shall make a finding of substantiated or unsubstantiated, and notify the person of the decision and of the right to appeal.
(d) Within 30 days of notification that a report has been substantiated, a person against whom a complaint has been lodged may apply to the Human Services Board for relief on the grounds that it is unsubstantiated. The Board shall hold a fair hearing under 3 V.S.A. § 3091. Unless the Commissioner agrees otherwise, the fair hearing shall be given priority by the Board and an expedited hearing shall be provided, with a decision issued promptly thereafter.
(e) If a report is found to be unsubstantiated, the records shall be retained as part of the confidential records of the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. If no court proceeding is brought pursuant to subdivision 6903(c)(3) of this title within six years of the date of the notice to the person against whom the complaint was lodged, the records relating to the unsubstantiated report shall be destroyed after notice to such person, unless he or she requests that the records not be destroyed.
(f) If an appeal is filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section or to a court, the name of the individual shall not be added to the Registry until a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or exploitation becomes final.
(g) If the Human Services Board or a court reverses a substantiated finding, the Commissioner shall remove all information relating to that finding in accordance with subsection (e) of this section.
(a) Coordinated treatment plan. If the investigation produces evidence that the vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, the Commissioner shall arrange for the provision of protective services in accordance with a written coordinated treatment plan.
(1) Protective services shall be provided only with the consent of the vulnerable adult, his or her guardian, or through appropriate court action. If the vulnerable adult does not consent, protective services shall not be provided, unless provision of protective services is court-ordered.
(A) The investigative report shall be disclosed only to: the Commissioner or person designated to receive such records; persons assigned by the Commissioner to investigate reports; the person reported to have abused, neglected, or exploited a vulnerable adult; the vulnerable adult or his or her representative; the Office of Professional Regulation when deemed appropriate by the Commissioner; the Secretary of Education when deemed appropriate by the Commissioner; the Commissioner for Children and Families or designee for purposes of review of expungement petitions filed pursuant to section 4916c of this title; the Commissioner of Financial Regulation when deemed appropriate by the Commissioner for an investigation related to financial exploitation; a law enforcement agency; the State's Attorney, or the Office of the Attorney General, when the Department believes there may be grounds for criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action, or in the course of a criminal or a civil investigation. When disclosing information pursuant to this subdivision, reasonable efforts shall be made to limit the information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the disclosure, and no other information, including the identity of the reporter, shall be released absent a court order.
(B) Relevant information may be disclosed to the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary's designee, for the purpose of remediating or preventing abuse, neglect, or exploitation; to assist the Agency in its monitoring and oversight responsibilities; and in the course of a relief from abuse proceeding, guardianship proceeding, or any other court proceeding when the Commissioner deems it necessary to protect the victim, and the victim or his or her representative consents to the disclosure. When disclosing information pursuant to this subdivision, reasonable efforts shall be made to limit the information to the minimum necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the disclosure, and no other information, including the identity of the reporter, shall be released absent a court order.
(ii) a parent of a child contests an allegation that he or she fostered or supported a bonded and dependent relationship between the child and a person seeking to be adjudicated a de facto parent under 15C V.S.A. § 501(a)(2).
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1)(A) of this subsection, financial information made available to an adult protective services investigator pursuant to section 6915 of this title may be used only in a judicial or administrative proceeding or investigation directly related to a report required or authorized under this chapter. Relevant information may be disclosed to the Secretary of Human Services pursuant to subdivision (1)(B) of this subsection, and may also be disclosed to the Commissioner of Financial Regulation when the investigation relates to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
(b) The Commissioner shall maintain a registry which shall contain the following information: the names of all the individuals found on the basis of a substantiated report to have abused, neglected, or exploited a vulnerable adult; the date of the finding; and the nature of the finding. In addition, the Commissioner shall require that, aside from a person's name, at least one other personal identifier is listed in the Registry to prevent the possibility of misidentification.
(1) The State's Attorney or the Attorney General.
(2) The public as required by the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1986 and regulations thereunder.
(3) An employer if such information is used to determine whether to hire or retain a specific individual providing care, custody, treatment, transportation, or supervision of children or vulnerable adults. "Employer," as used in this section, means a person or organization who employs or contracts with one or more individuals to care for or provide transportation services to children or vulnerable adults, on either a paid or volunteer basis. The employer may submit a request concerning a current employee, volunteer, grantee, or contractor or an individual to whom the employer has given a conditional offer of a contract, volunteer position, or employment. The request shall be accompanied by a release signed by the current or prospective employee, volunteer, grantee, or contractor. If that individual has a record of a substantiated report, the Commissioner shall provide the Registry information to the employer.
(4) A person or organization serving vulnerable adults by assisting with employer functions; offering, providing, or arranging for home sharing; or providing personal care services, developmental services, or mental health services for vulnerable adults. The person or organization may submit a request concerning an individual who has applied to provide such services or an individual who is already so engaged. The request shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a release from the person applying for or already providing such services. If the person has a record of a substantiated report, the Commissioner shall provide the Registry information.
(B) the Department's child protection obligations under chapters 49-59 of this title.
(6) The Commissioner of Health or the Commissioner's designee for purposes related to oversight and monitoring of persons who are served by or compensated with funds provided by the Department of Health, including persons to whom a conditional offer of employment has been made.
(7) Upon request or when relevant to other states' adult protective services offices.
(8) The Board of Medical Practice for the purpose of evaluating an applicant, licensee, or holder of certification pursuant to 26 V.S.A. § 1353.
(9) The Secretary of Education or the Secretary's designee, for purposes related to the licensing of professional educators pursuant to 16 V.S.A. chapter 5, subchapter 4 and chapter 51.
(10) The Office of Professional Regulation for the purpose of evaluating an applicant, licensee, holder of a certification, or registrant for possible unprofessional conduct.
(B) a parent of a child contests an allegation that he or she fostered or supported a bonded and dependent relationship between the child and a person seeking to be adjudicated a de facto parent under 15C V.S.A. § 501(a)(2).
(d) An employer providing transportation services to children or vulnerable adults may disclose Registry records obtained pursuant to subdivision (c)(3) of this section to the Agency of Human Services or its designee for the sole purpose of auditing the records to ensure compliance with this chapter. An employer shall provide such records at the request of the Agency or its designee. Only Registry records regarding individuals who provide direct transportation services or otherwise have direct contact with children or vulnerable adults may be disclosed.
(e) A person may, at any time, apply to the Human Services Board for relief if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that the contents of the Registry or investigative records are being misused.
(f) A person may at any time apply to the Department for expungement of his or her name from the Registry. The petitioner shall have the burden of showing why his or her name should be expunged from the Registry.
(g) Any person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $500.00.
(a) The Department, within available appropriations, shall conduct a publicity and education program to encourage the fullest degree of reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
(b) All agencies, facilities, or institutions providing care and services to adults who are elders, have a disability, or are vulnerable shall inform their employees of their right and duty to report suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and the protections afforded them by this chapter, and shall establish appropriate policies and procedures to facilitate such reporting.
(F) the complaint process of the appropriate State and federal agencies and directions as to how to contact such agencies.
(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, the poster required by this subsection shall be posted in a location where it would ordinarily be viewed by vulnerable adults.
(a) Whenever the Commissioner finds, after notice and hearing, that a person has committed sexual abuse as defined in subdivision 6902(1)(D) of this title, sexual exploitation as defined in subdivision 6902(6)(D), exploitation as defined in subdivision 6902(6)(A) or (B) in an amount in excess of $500.00, abuse which causes grievous injury to or the death of a vulnerable adult, or neglect which causes grievous injury to or the death of a vulnerable adult, the Commissioner may impose an administrative penalty of not more than $10,000.00 for each violation. The Commissioner shall notify the Office of Professional Regulation, or any other professional licensing board applicable to the violator, of any decision made pursuant to this subsection.
(b) Whenever the Commissioner finds, after notice and hearing, that a mandatory reporter, as defined in subdivisions 6903(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of this title, has willfully violated the provisions of subsection 6903(a), the Commissioner may impose an administrative penalty not to exceed $500.00 per violation. For purposes of this subsection, every 24 hours that a report is not made beyond the period for reporting required by subsection 6903(a) shall constitute a new and separate violation, and a mandatory reporter shall be liable for an administrative penalty of not more than $500.00 for each 24-hour period, not to exceed a maximum penalty of $5,000.00 per reportable incident.
(D) a mutual fund as defined in 8 V.S.A. § 3461.
(2) "Capacity" means an individual's ability to make and communicate a decision regarding the issue that needs to be decided.
(G) evidence of a transaction conducted by electronic or telephonic means.
(4) "Financial institution" means any financial services provider licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized to do business in Vermont, including a bank, credit union, broker-dealer, investment advisor, mutual fund, or investment company.
(b) A person having custody or control of the financial information of a vulnerable adult shall make the information or a copy of the information available to an adult protective services investigator upon receipt of a court order or receipt of the investigator's written request.
(1) The request shall include a statement signed by the account holder, if he or she has capacity, or the account holder's guardian with financial powers or agent under a power of attorney consenting to the release of the information to the investigator.
(A) The account holder is an alleged victim of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
(B) The alleged victim lacks the capacity to consent to the release of the financial information.
(C) Law enforcement is not involved in the investigation or has not requested a subpoena for the information.
(D) The alleged victim will suffer imminent harm if the investigation is delayed while the investigator obtains a court order authorizing the release of the information.
(E) Immediate enforcement activity that depends on the information would be materially and adversely affected by waiting until the alleged victim regains capacity.
(F) The Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living has personally reviewed the request and confirmed that the conditions set forth in subdivisions (A) through (E) of this subdivision (2) have been met and that disclosure of the information is necessary to protect the alleged victim from abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
(c) If a guardian refuses to consent to the release of the alleged victim's financial information, the investigator may seek review of the guardian's refusal by filing a motion with the Probate Division of the Superior Court pursuant to 14 V.S.A. § 3062(c).
(d) If an agent under a power of attorney refuses to consent to the release of the alleged victim's financial information, the investigator may file a petition in Superior Court pursuant to 14 V.S.A. § 3510(b) to compel the agent to consent to the release of the alleged victim's financial information.
(e) The investigator shall include a copy of the written request in the alleged victim's case file.
(f) The person having custody or control of the financial information shall not require the investigator to provide details of the investigation to support the request for production of the information.
(g) The information requested and released shall be used only to investigate the allegation of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or for the purposes set forth in subdivision 6911(a)(1)(B) of this title and shall not be used against the alleged victim.
(h) The person having custody or control of the financial information shall provide the information to the investigator as soon as possible but, absent extraordinary circumstances, no later than 10 business days following receipt of the investigator's written request or receipt of a court order or subpoena requiring disclosure of the information.
(i) A person who in good faith makes an alleged victim's financial information or a copy of the information available to an investigator in accordance with this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for disclosure of the information unless the person's actions constitute gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide civil or criminal immunity to a person suspected of having abused, neglected, or exploited a vulnerable adult.
(b) Emergency orders under section 6936 of this title may be issued by a judge of the Criminal, Civil, or Family Division of the Superior Court.
(2) that the defendant immediately vacate the household.
(a) If the Court finds that the defendant has abused, neglected, or exploited the vulnerable adult, the Court shall make such order as it deems necessary to protect the vulnerable adult. The plaintiff shall have the burden of proving abuse, neglect, or exploitation by a preponderance of the evidence. Relief shall be granted for a fixed period of time, at the expiration of which the Court may extend any order, upon motion of the plaintiff, for such additional time as it deems necessary to protect the vulnerable adult from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The Court may modify its order at any subsequent time upon motion by either party and a showing of a substantial change in circumstances. If the motion for extension or modification of the order is made by an interested person, notice shall be provided to the vulnerable adult, and the Court shall determine whether the vulnerable adult is capable of expressing his or her wishes with respect to the motion and, if so, whether the vulnerable adult wishes to request an extension or modification. If the Court determines the vulnerable adult is capable of expressing his or her wishes and does not wish to pursue the motion, the Court shall dismiss the motion.
(b) Every order under this subchapter shall contain the name of the Court, the names of the parties, the date of the petition, the date and time of the order, and shall be signed by the judge.
(a) In accordance with the Rules for Family Proceedings, temporary orders under this subchapter may be issued ex parte, without notice to the defendant, upon motion and findings by the Court that the defendant has abused, neglected, or exploited the vulnerable adult and that serious and irreparable harm to the physical health or financial interests of the vulnerable adult will result without ex parte relief.
(b) If the petition is made by an interested person, notice shall be provided to the vulnerable adult and the Court shall determine whether the vulnerable adult is capable of expressing his or her wishes with respect to the petition and if so, whether the vulnerable adult wishes to pursue the petition. If the Court determines that the vulnerable adult is capable of expressing his or her opinion and does not wish to pursue the petition, the Court shall dismiss the petition.
(a) A petition or ex parte temporary order or final order issued under this subchapter shall be served by any sheriff or constable or any municipal or State Police officer in accordance with the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. A court that issues an order under this chapter during court hours shall promptly transmit the order electronically or by other means to a law enforcement agency for service.
(b) A defendant who attends a hearing held under section 6935 of this title at which a temporary or final order under this chapter is issued and who receives notice from the Court on the record that the order has been issued shall be deemed to have been served. A defendant notified by the Court on the record shall be required to adhere immediately to the provisions of the order. However, even when the Court has previously notified the defendant of the order, the Court shall transmit the order for additional service by a law enforcement agency.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, proceedings commenced under this subchapter shall be in accordance with the Rules for Family Proceedings and shall be in addition to any other available civil or criminal remedies.
(b) If the petition is filed by an interested person, the Court may in its discretion appoint a guardian ad litem for the vulnerable adult.
(a) Police departments, sheriff's departments, and State Police district offices shall establish procedures for filing orders issued under this subchapter and for making personnel aware of the existence and contents of such orders.
(a) Law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce orders issued under this subchapter.
(4) to recommend legislation, rules, policies, procedures, practices, training, and coordination of services to promote interagency collaboration and prevent future abuse- and neglect-related fatalities.
(N) a home health agency representative, appointed jointly by the Vermont Association of Home Health Agencies and designated home health agencies that are not members of the Vermont Association of Home Health Agencies.
(2) The members of the Team specified in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall serve two-year terms. Any vacancy on the Team shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The replacement member shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(1) The Attorney General or designee shall call the first meeting of the Team to occur on or before September 30, 2016.
(2) The Team shall select a chair and vice chair from among its members at the first meeting, and annually thereafter. The Vice Chair shall also serve as Secretary.
(a) The Team shall develop and implement policies to ensure that it uses uniform procedures to review the deaths of vulnerable adults in Vermont.
(B) whose death came under the jurisdiction of, or was investigated by, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
(2) The Team shall not initiate the review of the death of a vulnerable adult until the conclusion of any active adult protective services or law enforcement investigation, criminal prosecution, or civil action.
(3) The review shall not impose unreasonable burdens on health care providers for production of information, records, or other materials. The Team shall first seek to obtain information, records, and other materials from State agencies or that were generated in the course of an investigation by the Adult Protective Services Division, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, or law enforcement.
(4) The Team shall establish criteria for selecting specific fatalities for review to ensure the analysis of fatalities occurring in both institutional and home- and community-based settings.
(c)(1) Beginning in 2018, the Team shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly on or before January 15.
(a) The Team's proceedings and records are confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying under the Public Records Act, and shall not be released. Such information shall not be subject to subpoena or discovery or be admissible in any civil or criminal proceedings; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit or restrict the right to discover or use in any civil or criminal proceedings anything that is available from another source and entirely independent of the Team's review. The Team shall not use information, records, or data that it obtains or generates for purposes other than those described in this subchapter.
(b) The Team's conclusions and recommendations may be disclosed, but shall not identify or allow for the identification of any person or entity.
(c) Meetings of the Team are confidential and shall be exempt from the Vermont Open Meeting Law. The Secretary of the Team shall maintain any records, including meeting minutes, generated by the Team.
(a) In any case subject to review by the Team, and upon written request by the Chair of the Team, any person who possesses information or records that are necessary and relevant to Team review shall as soon as practicable provide the Team with the information and records.
(b) The Team shall not have access to the proceedings, reports, and records of peer review committees as defined in 26 V.S.A. § 1441.

References: § 3091
 § 501
 § 1353
 § 501
 § 3461
 § 3062
 § 3510
 § 1441