The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 33 : Human Services

Chapter 069 : Reports of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults

Subchapter 001 : Reports of Abuse of Vulnerable Adults

• § 6904. Nature and content of report; to whom made

  (a) Except as otherwise provided for certain reports of neglect in subsection (b) of this section, a report shall be made to the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee. To be considered a report to the Commissioner or designee, it shall contain the name and address of the reporter as well as the names and addresses of the vulnerable adult and persons responsible for the vulnerable adult’s care, if known; the age of the vulnerable adult; the nature of the vulnerable adult’s disability; the nature and extent of the vulnerable adult’s abuse, neglect, or exploitation together with any evidence of previous abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the vulnerable adult; and any other information that the reporter believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of any injuries or reasons for the abuse, neglect, or exploitation as well as in protecting the vulnerable adult. If the reporter is in possession of documentation that establishes the alleged victim’s conditions, needs, or services, that shall be included in the report. Any evidence of maltreatment shall also be cited in the report. If a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involves the acts or omissions of the Commissioner or employees of the Department, then such reports shall be directed to the Secretary of Human Services, who shall cause the report to be investigated by appropriate staff other than staff of the Department.

  (b)(1) If neglect is alleged to have been perpetrated within a facility licensed by the State or a program licensed by the State, or to have been perpetrated by an individual licensed by the State, the report shall be made to the relevant licensing entity or entities as follows:

  (A) Neglect within a licensed facility or program shall be reported to the applicable State licensing unit in accordance with State and federal licensing rules and regulations.

  (B) Neglect by an individual licensed by the Office of Professional Regulation shall be reported to the Office of Professional Regulation.

  (C) Neglect by an individual licensed by the Board of Medical Practice shall be reported to the Board of Medical Practice.

  (2)(A) If a licensing entity receives a report of alleged neglect pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection (b), the licensing entity shall notify Adult Protective Services that the licensing entity has received a report and is acting upon it accordingly.

  (B) If the licensing entity identifies neglect allegedly perpetrated within a licensed facility or program or by a licensed individual, the licensing entity shall make a report to Adult Protective Services in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. (Added 1979, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.); amended 1985, No. 78, § 4; 1989, No. 76, § 2; 1993, No. 100, § 3; 2001, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. June 13, 2002; 2023, No. 81, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; 2025, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. October 1, 2026.)