The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18: Health

Chapter 204A: Developmental Disabilities Act

• § 8721. Purpose

  It is the policy of the State of Vermont that each citizen with a developmental disability shall have the following opportunities:

  (1) To live in a safe environment with respect and dignity.

  (2) To live with family or in a home of his or her choice.

  (3) To make choices that affect his or her life.

  (4) To attend neighborhood schools, be employed, and participate in activities, to the extent that this purpose is not construed to alter or extend rights or responsibilities of federal laws relating to special education.

  (5) To have access to the community support and services that are available to other citizens. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 8722. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Department” means the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.

  (2) “Developmental disability” means a severe, chronic disability of a person that is manifested before the person reaches 18 years of age and results in:

  (A) intellectual disability, autism, or pervasive developmental disorder; and

  (B) deficits in adaptive behavior at least two standard deviations below the mean for a normative comparison group.

  (3) “Family” means a group of individuals that includes a person with a developmental disability and that:

  (A) is related by blood, marriage, or adoption; or

  (B) considers themselves a family based upon bonds of affection, which, for the purposes of this subdivision, means enduring ties that do not depend upon the existence of an economic relationship.

  (4) “Person with a developmental disability” means a person who is a resident of Vermont and who has a developmental disability.

  (5) “Recipient” means a person with a developmental disability or a family that has been approved to receive services or funding under criteria specified in the system of care plan.

  (6) “Service” means support or service provided, funded, or coordinated by the Department.

  (7) “System of care plan” means the plan adopted pursuant to section 8725 of this title and that describes funding and services to be provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 45; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 112; 2013, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 8723. Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living; duties

  The Department shall plan, coordinate, administer, monitor, and evaluate State and federally funded services for people with developmental disabilities and their families within Vermont. The Department shall be responsible for coordinating the efforts of all agencies and services, government and private, on a statewide basis in order to promote and improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Within the limits of available resources, the Department shall:

  (1) promote the principles stated in section 8724 of this title and shall carry out all functions, powers, and duties required by this chapter by collaborating and consulting with people with developmental disabilities, their families, guardians, community resources, organizations, and people who provide services throughout the State;

  (2) develop, maintain, and monitor an equitably and efficiently allocated statewide system of community-based services that reflect the choices and needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families;

  (3) acquire, administer, and exercise fiscal oversight over funding for community-based services, including the management of State contracts;

  (4) identify resources and legislation needed to maintain a statewide system of community-based services;

  (5) establish a statewide procedure for applying for services;

  (6) facilitate or provide pre-service or in-service training and technical assistance to service providers consistent with the system of care plan;

  (7) maintain a statewide system of quality assessment and assurance for services provided to people with developmental disabilities and provide quality improvement support to ensure that the principles of service in section 8724 of this title are achieved;

  (8) encourage the establishment and development of locally administered and locally controlled nonprofit services for people with developmental disabilities, based on the specific needs of individuals and their families;

  (9) promote and facilitate participation by people with developmental disabilities and their families in activities and choices that affect their lives and in designing services that reflect their unique needs, strengths, and cultural values;

  (10) promote positive images and public awareness of people with developmental disabilities and their families;

  (11) certify services that are paid for by the Department; and

  (12) establish a procedure for investigation and resolution of complaints regarding the availability, quality, and responsiveness of services provided throughout the State. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 46; 2013, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 8724. Principles of service

  Services provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families shall foster and adhere to the following principles:

  (1) Children’s services. Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment. The quality of life of children with developmental disabilities, their families, and communities is enhanced by caring for children within their own homes. Children with disabilities benefit by growing up in their own families, families benefit by staying together, and communities benefit from the diversity that is provided when people with varying abilities are included.

  (2) Adult services. Adults, regardless of the severity of their disability, can make decisions for themselves, can live in typical homes, and can contribute as citizens to the communities where they live.

  (3) Full information. In order to make good decisions, people with developmental disabilities and their families need complete information about the availability, choices, and costs of services; how the decision-making process works; and how to participate in that process.

  (4) Individualized support. People with developmental disabilities have differing abilities, needs, and goals. To be effective and efficient, services must be individualized to the capacities, needs, and values of each individual.

  (5) Family support. Effective family support services shall be designed and provided with respect and responsiveness to the unique needs, strengths, and cultural values of each family and the family’s expertise regarding its own needs.

  (6) Meaningful choices. People with developmental disabilities and their families cannot make good decisions without meaningful choices about how they live and the kinds of services they receive. Effective services shall be flexible so they can be individualized to support and accommodate personalized choices, values, and needs and ensure that each recipient is directly involved in decisions that affect that person’s life.

  (7) Community participation. When people with disabilities are segregated from community life, all Vermonters are diminished. Community participation is increased when people with disabilities meet their everyday needs through resources available to all members of the community.

  (8) Employment. The goal of job support is to obtain and maintain paid employment in regular employment settings.

  (9) Accessibility. Services must be geographically available so that people with developmental disabilities and their families are not required to move to gain access to needed services, thereby forfeiting natural community support systems.

  (10) Health and safety. The safety and health of people with developmental disabilities is of paramount concern.

  (11) Trained staff. In order to ensure that the goals of this chapter are attained, all individuals who provide services to people with developmental disabilities and their families must receive training as required by section 8731 of this title.

  (12) Fiscal integrity. The fiscal stability of the service system is dependent upon skillful and frugal management and sufficient resources to meet the needs of Vermonters with developmental disabilities. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2023, No. 6, § 212, eff. July 1, 2023.)

• § 8725. System of care plan

  (a) Every three years, the Department shall adopt a plan for the nature, extent, allocation, and timing of services consistent with the principles of service set forth in section 8724 of this title that will be provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families.

  (b)(1) The Commissioner shall determine plan priorities based upon:

  (A) information obtained from people with developmental disabilities, their families, guardians, and people who provide the services;

  (B) a comprehensive needs assessment that includes:

  (i) demographic information about people with developmental disabilities;

  (ii) information about existing services used by individuals and their families;

  (iii) characteristics of unserved and underserved individuals and populations; and

  (iv) the reasons for these gaps in service and the varying community needs and resources.

  (2) Once the plan priorities are determined, the Commissioner shall consider funds available to the Department in allocating resources.

  (c) Not later than 60 days before adopting the proposed plan, the Commissioner shall submit it to the Advisory Board established in section 8733 of this title for advice and recommendations. The Advisory Board shall provide the Commissioner with written comments on the proposed plan.

  (d) The Commissioner may make annual revisions to the plan as deemed necessary in accordance with the process set forth in this section. The Commissioner shall submit any proposed revisions to the Advisory Board established in section 8733 of this title for comment within the time frame established by subsection (c) of this section.

  (e) Notwithstanding 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), on or before February 15 of each year, the Department shall report to the Governor and the committees of jurisdiction regarding implementation of the plan, the extent to which the principles of service set forth in section 8724 of this title are achieved, and whether people with a developmental disability have any unmet service needs, including the number of people on waiting lists for developmental services.

  (f) If the Department requires an extension to complete the system of care plan, it shall submit a written request indicating the anticipated completion date to the House Committee on Human Services and to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare at least two months prior to the expiration of the existing system of care plan. The request for an extension may be granted upon the approval of both the Chairs of the House Committee on Human Services and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2013, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2021, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 9, 2022; 2023, No. 78, § E.329, eff. July 1, 2023.)

• § 8726. Application for services; rules

  (a) The Department shall adopt rules that include the following:

  (1) Criteria for determining whether an applicant is a person with a developmental disability.

  (2) A format and procedures, for processing applications for services, including time frames, emergency procedures, and notice of determination.

  (3) Procedures and time frames for periodic reviews of a person’s eligibility and continuing need for services.

  (4) Standards and procedures for billing.

  (5) Complaints and appeals, including notice as required in section 8727 of this title.

  (b) The Department shall adopt rules that include the following:

  (1) Certification standards and procedures for programs for people with developmental disabilities.

  (2) Training standards for staff.

  (3) Standards for training and supervision of personnel who perform special care procedures.

  (c) Any person with a developmental disability or a family of a person with a disability shall be provided with:

  (1) Timely information and referral to community and governmental resources.

  (2) An opportunity to request services.

  (3) Upon request, an assessment of the most appropriate supports and resources for their needs and choices.

  (4) Services and funding within the Department’s available resources in accordance with both the system of care plan and the person’s or family’s written plan of service.

  (d) Any person with a developmental disability or a family who is receiving services on July 1, 1996, shall continue to receive services consistent with their needs and the system of care plan. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2023, No. 6, § 213, eff. July 1, 2023.)

• § 8727. Complaints; appeals

  (a) Notice. The Department or agency or program funded by the Department shall provide notice:

  (1) To an applicant or the applicant’s guardian, as applicable, of the rights provided under this chapter, State and federal law, and any other available rights of appeal for violations of any of those rights.

  (2) To a person with a developmental disability or the person’s guardian, as applicable, of any decision to deny, suspend, reduce, or terminate services, prior to any action by the Department or agency or program funded by the Department and the procedure for appealing the decision.

  (b) Appeals. A person with a developmental disability or the person’s guardian may appeal a decision of the Department or an agency or program funded by the Department to deny or terminate eligibility for services; to deny, terminate, suspend, or reduce services; or when a request is not acted upon promptly to the Human Services Board. The fair hearing before the Human Services Board shall be conducted pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 3091(b), (c), (e), (f), (g), and (h)(3) and the following:

  (1) The Board shall not reverse or modify a decision of the Department that is consistent with the system of care plan and the rules of the Department, provided that the Board may reverse or modify a decision of the Department that the Board determines is in conflict with State or federal law. The Board shall not reverse or modify a decision of the Department that is determined to be in compliance with applicable law, even though the board may disagree with the results effected by that decision.

  (2)(A) The Secretary of Human Services shall review all decisions and orders of the Board issued under this subsection and shall adopt a decision or order of the Board, except that the Secretary may reverse or modify any decision or order of the Board if:

  (i) the Board’s findings of fact lack support in the record; or

  (ii) the decision or order implicates the validity or applicability of any rule or policy of the agency.

  (B) The Secretary shall issue a written decision stating the legal, factual or policy basis for reversing or modifying a decision or order of the Board. The Secretary shall approve, modify or reverse a decision or order of the Board within 15 days after the date of the decision or order. If the Secretary fails to issue a written decision within 15 days, the decision and order of the Board shall be deemed to be approved by the Secretary. A decision and order of the Board under this subsection shall become the final and binding decision of the Department upon approval by the Secretary.

  (3) The fair hearing officer:

  (A) shall ensure that a person with a developmental disability shall have access to legal representation; and

  (B) may order an independent evaluation at no cost to the person when the fair hearing officer finds that it would aid in the resolution of the issue on appeal.

  (c) Internal complaints and resolution procedures. The Commissioner shall:

  (1) establish procedures for the investigation and resolution of complaints by recipients or by service providers regarding the availability, quality, and responsiveness of services provided.

  (2) establish a procedure for the prompt and impartial resolution of disputes that are not subject to review before the Human Services Board as provided by subsection (b) of this section, such as disputes by recipients regarding the manner, quality, or accessibility of services provided by programs or agencies funded by the Department.

  (3) offer conflict resolution services conducted by trained mediators to assist in resolving disputes between recipients and programs and agencies funded by the Department.

  (4) offer arbitration to be conducted by a trained independent arbitrator for resolution of disputes that are not resolved by the procedures provided in subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection, pursuant to which the decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding, except to the extent that either party has other legal remedies.

  (d) Procedure by next friend. The appeal and complaint procedures provided by this section may be initiated by a next friend when a person with a developmental disability is unable to initiate the procedure due to cognitive limitations and the person does not have a guardian or there is a conflict of interest between the person with a developmental disability and the person’s guardian that has resulted in failure to initiate either the appeal or complaint procedure. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2023, No. 6, §§ 214, 215, eff. July 1, 2023.)

• § 8728. Rights of recipients

  (a) Every person with a developmental disability who receives services has the right to:

  (1) Be free from aversive procedures, devices, and treatments.

  (2) Privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and humane care.

  (3) Associate with individuals of both genders.

  (4) Communicate in private by mail and telephone.

  (5) Communicate in his or her primary language and primary mode of communication.

  (6) Be free from retaliation for making a complaint, voicing a grievance, recommending changes in policies, or exercising a legal right.

  (7) Maintain contact with family, unless contact has been restricted by court order.

  (8) Refuse or terminate services, except where services are required by court order.

  (9) Have access to, read, and challenge any information contained in any records about the person that are maintained by the Department or any agency or program funded by the Department and to file a written statement in the record regarding any portion of the record with which the person disagrees.

  (b) Every family that receives services has the right to:

  (1) Receive services without relinquishing custody of a child or children, except when custody is terminated in accordance with Vermont law.

  (2) Privacy and confidentiality.

  (3) Communicate in the family’s primary language and primary mode of communication.

  (4) Be free from retaliation for making a complaint, voicing a grievance, recommending a change in policy, or exercising a legal right.

  (c) People committed to the care of the Commissioner pursuant to chapter 206, subchapter 3 of this title, relating to judicial proceedings, shall have all the rights provided by this section except when the Commissioner restricts those rights for reasons of safety, security, or treatment. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 8729. Family support payments: tax exemption

  Any payment to an eligible family for the support of a person with a developmental disability constitutes a State benefit and shall not be deemed to be income for the purposes of State taxation or of determining eligibility for any income-related State benefits, but may be included in household income for purposes of 32 V.S.A. chapter 154 as provided in section 6061 of that chapter. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 13a.)

• § 8730. Service providers; certification

  The Department shall adopt rules that provide for certification standards and procedures for programs for people with developmental disabilities funded by the Department. The Department shall not certify a program unless it adheres to the principles in section 8724 of this title and provides recipients with the rights in section 8728 of this title. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 8731. Training

  (a) For the purposes of this section, “staff” means any person who receives compensation to provide services to one or more recipients and includes the person’s supervisor. “Staff” does not include a family-directed respite worker.

  (b) The Department shall ensure that all staff receive pre-service and in-service training consistent with the system of care plan. Family-directed respite staff shall receive pre-service and in-service training at the request of the family at no cost to the family. People with developmental disabilities and their families may participate in the training, including planning and delivery of that training.

  (c) The Department shall adopt rules for training standards that ensure that individual support staff understand the philosophy and values that underlie the services and that they acquire the skills necessary to implement the purposes and principles of this subchapter and to address the individual needs of the person or family for whom they provide services.

  (d) All staff and all family-directed respite workers shall be trained in the requirements of 33 V.S.A. chapter 69, relating to reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders or of adults who have a disability, and the requirements of 33 V.S.A. chapter 49, subchapter 2, relating to reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 113; 2023, No. 6, § 216, eff. July 1, 2023.)

• § 8732. Special care needs

  (a) For the purposes of this section, “special care procedure” means a procedure that is necessitated by a specific medical need that a person with a developmental disability would perform but for the person’s disability, provided that, in the determination of the supervising registered nurse, the procedure may be performed safely by a trained special care provider.

  (b) The Department shall, with the approval of the Board of Nursing, adopt rules that establish standards for training and supervision of personnel who perform special care procedures for people with developmental disabilities. The rules shall include training requirements, competency testing, and requirements for nursing supervision. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 8733. Advisory Board

  (a) The Advisory Board is created to advise the Department on the status and needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Board shall also advise the Commissioner regarding the development of the system of care plan described in section 8725 of this title and recommend legislation, rules, policies, and standards to implement the system of care plan.

  (b) The Board shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Governor: five persons shall be recipients, five members shall be advocates that represent people with developmental disabilities, and five members shall be professionals with expertise in the area of developmental disabilities.

  (c) Members of the Board shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years, beginning April 1, and shall serve until a successor is appointed.

  (d) The Board shall elect a Chair from among its members. The Board shall meet at least annually at the time and place determined by the Chair, and at such other times and places as the Chair may determine to be necessary.

  (e) Members shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary and actual expenses incurred in performance of their duties under this chapter. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)