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.
Subchapter
002
:
RESOURCE GUIDE POSTING; PRIVATE CAUSE OF ACTION FOR VICTIMS; VICTIM PROTECTION
(Cite as: 13 V.S.A. § 2663)
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§ 2663. Classification of victims; immigration assistance
(a) Classification of victims of human trafficking. As soon as practicable after the initial encounter with a person who reasonably appears
to a law enforcement agency, a State’s Attorneys’ office, or the Office of the Attorney
General to be a victim of human trafficking, such agency or office shall:
(1) Notify the Victim’s Compensation Program at the Center for Crime Victim Services that
such person may be eligible for services under this chapter.
(2) Make a preliminary assessment of whether such victim or possible victim of human trafficking
appears to meet the criteria for certification as a victim of a severe form of trafficking
in persons as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7105 (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) or appears to be otherwise eligible for any
federal, state, or local benefits and services. If it is determined that the victim
appears to meet such criteria, the agency or office shall report the finding to the
victim and shall refer the victim to services available, including legal service providers.
If the possible victim is under the age of 18 or is a vulnerable adult, the agency
or office shall also notify the Family Services Division of the Department for Children
and Families or the Office of Adult Protective Services in the Department of Disabilities,
Aging, and Independent Living.
(b) Law enforcement assistance with respect to immigration. After the agency or office makes a preliminary assessment pursuant to subdivision
(a)(2) of this section that a victim of human trafficking or a possible victim of
human trafficking appears to meet the criteria for certification as a victim of a
severe form of trafficking in persons, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7105 and upon the request of such victim, the agency or office shall provide the victim
of human trafficking with a completed and executed U.S. citizenship and immigration
service (USCIS) form I-914 supplement B declaration of law enforcement officer for
victim of human trafficking in persons or a USCIS form I-918, supplement B, U nonimmigrant
status certification, or both. These endorsements shall be completed by the certifying
officer in accordance with the forms’ instructions and applicable rules and regulations.
The victim of human trafficking may choose which form to have the certifying officer
complete. (Added 2011, No. 55, § 2.)