The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
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Subchapter 001: CARE AND TREATMENT
§ 8401. Definitions
As used in this chapter, “drug addict” means a person who shows signs of mental illness
because of his or her use of drugs, hallucinogens, stimulants, or sedatives or who
has an uncontrollable desire for their use or consumption. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)
§ 8402. Hospitalization
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a drug addict may be admitted to a designated
hospital and provided with care and treatment in the same manner and under the same
conditions as a mentally ill person. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)
§ 8403. Length of treatment
No drug addict may be admitted to a hospital for voluntary treatment for a period
in excess of six months. If he or she is admitted by order of the Criminal Division
of the Superior Court, the order shall specifically provide for a maximum of six months
in the hospital. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; amended 1973, No. 52, § 1; 1977, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1977, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238.)
§ 8404. Conditional discharge
The Board of Mental Health, in its discretion, may grant a conditional discharge to
a patient admitted under this chapter after the expiration of one month from the date
of admission and may revoke any conditional discharge so granted. A revocation of
a conditional discharge by the Board of Mental Health at any time prior to the expiration
of the original term of hospitalization shall be sufficient warrant for the return
of the patient to the hospital from which he or she was discharged, there to remain
until a subsequent conditional discharge or the expiration of the full term from the
date of the original admission. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968.)
§ 8405. Outside visits
In the discretion of the head of a hospital, a patient admitted under this chapter
may be permitted to visit a specifically designated place for a period not to exceed
five days and return to the same hospital. The visit may be allowed to see a dying
relative, to attend the funeral of a relative, to obtain special medical services,
to contact prospective employers, or for any compelling reason consistent with the
welfare or rehabilitation of the patient. (Added 1967, No. 305 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1968.)