The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 15 : Domestic Relations

Chapter 021 : Abuse Prevention

Subchapter 003 : ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING

• § 1154. Agency use of designated address; agency other than law enforcement agency

  (a) A Program participant shall request that State and local agencies, other than law enforcement agencies, use the substitute address as the participant’s address. When creating a new public record, State and local agencies, other than law enforcement agencies, shall accept the substitute address, unless the Secretary has determined that:

  (1) the agency has a bona fide requirement for the use of the actual address that would otherwise be confidential under this subchapter;

  (2) the address will be used only for those statutory and administrative purposes;

  (3) the agency has identified the specific Program participant’s record for which the waiver is requested;

  (4) the agency has identified the individuals who will have access to the record; and

  (5) the agency has explained how its acceptance of the substitute address will prevent the agency from meeting its obligations under the law and why it cannot meet its statutory or administrative obligation by a change in its internal procedures.

  (b) During the review, evaluation, and appeal of an agency’s request, the agency shall accept the use of a Program participant’s substitute address.

  (c) The Secretary’s determination to grant or withhold a requested waiver must be based on, but not limited to, an evaluation of the information under subsection (a) of this section.

  (d) If the Secretary finds that the agency has a bona fide purpose for the actual address and that the information will only be used for that purpose, the Secretary shall issue the actual address to the agency. Prior to granting the waiver, the Secretary shall notify the Program participant of the waiver, including the name of the agency and the reasons for the waiver. If granted a waiver, the agency shall maintain the confidentiality of the Program participant’s address by redacting the actual address when the record is released to any person.

  (e) Denial of the agency waiver request must be made in writing and include a statement of the reasons for denial.

  (f) Acceptance or denial of the agency’s waiver request constitutes final agency action. An aggrieved party may appeal.

  (g) A Program participant may use the address designated by the Secretary as his or her work address.

  (h) The Office of the Secretary shall forward all first-class mail to the appropriate Program participants.

  (i) The Secretary shall keep a record of all waivers and all documentation relating to requests for waivers.

  (j) Any agency receiving a waiver may not make the Program participant’s actual address available for inspection or copying, except under the following circumstances:

  (1) if requested by a law enforcement agency for a law enforcement purpose as defined in subdivision 1151(5) of this title; or

  (2) if directed by a court order to a person identified in the order. (Added 1999, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2001; amended 2001, No. 28, § 5, eff. May 21, 2001.)