The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18 : Health

Chapter 174 : Mental Health System of Care

• § 7261. Psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth

  (a) A person or governmental entity shall not establish, maintain, or operate a psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth without first obtaining a license from the Department of Health in accordance with this section.

  (b) Upon receipt of the application for a license, the Department of Health shall issue a license if it determines that the applicant and the proposed psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth meet the following minimum standards:

  (1) The applicant shall be a nonprofit entity that demonstrates the capacity to operate a psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Health and in a manner that ensures person-centered care and resident dignity.

  (2) The applicant shall maintain certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under 42 C.F.R. §§ 441.151–182.

  (3) The applicant shall maintain accreditation by the Joint Commission or other accrediting organization with comparable standards recognized by the Commissioner of Mental Health.

  (4) The applicant shall fully comply with standards for health, safety, and sanitation as required by State law, including standards set forth by the State Fire Marshal and the Department of Health, and municipal ordinance.

  (5) Residents admitted to a psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth shall be under the care of physician licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 23 or 33.

  (6) The psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth, including the buildings and grounds, shall be subject to inspection by the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, its designees, and other authorized entities at all times.

  (7) The applicant shall have a clear process for responding to resident complaints, including:

  (A) the designation of patient representative pursuant to section 7253 of this title;

  (B) a method by which each patient shall be made aware of the compliant procedure;

  (C) an appeals mechanism within a psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth;

  (D) a published time frame for processing and resolving complaints and appeals within a psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth; and

  (E) periodic reporting to the Department of Health of the nature of complaints filed and action taken.

  (c) A license is not transferable or assignable and shall be issued only for the premises named in the application.

  (d) Once licensed, a psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth shall be among the placement options for individuals committed to the custody of the Commissioner under an order of nonhospitalization.

  (e) The Department of Health shall adopt rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules pertaining to emergency involuntary procedures shall:

  (1) be identical to those rules adopted by the Department of Mental Health governing the use of emergency involuntary procedures in psychiatric inpatient units;

  (2) require that a certificate of need for all emergency involuntary procedures performed at the psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth be submitted to the Department and the Mental Health Care Ombudsman in the same manner and time frame as required for hospitals; and

  (3) require that data regarding the use of emergency involuntary procedures be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Department.

  (f) The Department of Health, after notice and opportunity for a hearing to the applicant or licensee, is authorized to deny, suspend, or revoke a license in any case in which it finds that there has been a substantial failure to comply with the requirements established under this section. The notice shall be served by registered mail or by personal service setting forth the reasons for the proposed action and fixing a date not less than 60 days from the date of the mailing or service, at which the applicant or licensee shall be given an opportunity for a hearing. After the hearing, or upon default of the applicant of licensee, the Department of Health shall file its findings of fact and conclusions of law. A copy of the findings and decision shall be sent by registered mail or served personally upon the applicant or licensee. The procedure governing hearings authorized by the section shall be in accordance with the usual and customary rules for hearing. (Added 2023, No. 137 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. July 1, 2024.)