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
:
MALTREATMENT PREVENTION FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS
(Cite as: 33 V.S.A. § 6935)
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§ 6935. Findings and order
(a) If the court finds that the defendant has abused, neglected, or exploited the vulnerable
adult, the court shall make such order as it deems necessary to protect the vulnerable
adult. The plaintiff shall have the burden of proving abuse, neglect, or exploitation
by a preponderance of the evidence. Relief shall be granted for a fixed period of
time, at the expiration of which the court may extend any order, upon motion of the
plaintiff, for such additional time as it deems necessary to protect the vulnerable
adult from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The court may modify its order at any
subsequent time upon motion by either party and a showing of a substantial change
in circumstances. If the motion for extension or modification of the order is made
by an interested person, notice shall be provided to the vulnerable adult, and the
court shall determine whether the vulnerable adult is capable of expressing his or
her wishes with respect to the motion and, if so, whether the vulnerable adult wishes
to request an extension or modification. If the court determines the vulnerable adult
is capable of expressing his or her wishes and does not wish to pursue the motion,
the court shall dismiss the motion.
(b) Every order under this subchapter shall contain the name of the court, the names of
the parties, the date of the petition, and the date and time of the order, and shall
be signed by the judge.
(c) Form complaints and form orders shall be provided by the Court Administrator and shall
be maintained by the clerks of the courts.
(d) Every order issued under this subchapter shall bear the following language: “VIOLATION
OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AND
MAY ALSO BE PROSECUTED AS CRIMINAL CONTEMPT PUNISHABLE BY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT, OR
BOTH.” (Added 1991, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2001, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. June 13, 2002.)