Vermont § 5783 - Hazardous materials accidents

§ 5783. Hazardous materials accidents

• (a) No action for damages to person or property may be maintained against a person who
  provides emergency assistance or advice in mitigating or attempting to mitigate the
  effects of an actual or threatened accidental discharge of hazardous materials, or
  in preventing, containing, or cleaning up or in attempting to prevent, contain, or
  clean up any such discharge. This section shall apply to assistance or advice provided
  at or to persons at the scene or in the immediate vicinity of the actual or threatened
  discharge only. (b) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply: (1) to any person, or the employer or employee of any person, whose act or omission proximately
  caused in whole or in part the original actual or threatened discharge; (2) to any person, or the employer or employee of any person, who receives or expects
  to receive compensation or remuneration, other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket
  expenses, for services in rendering such assistance or advice from the recipient of
  such assistance or advice, from a person whose act or omission caused in whole or
  in part the discharge, or from someone acting on behalf of such persons; or (3) to any person who is not qualified by training, education, or experience, unless the
  person is supervised by a person who is so qualified. (c) As used in this section: (1) “Discharge” includes leakage, seepage, or other release. (2) “Hazardous materials” include all materials and substances which are now or hereafter
  designated or defined as hazardous by any state or federal law or by the regulations
  of any state or federal government agency. (3) “Person” includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other
  entity, including a person who coordinates or provides advice and assistance in conjunction
  with an emergency response program. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the liability
  of any person for damages resulting from that person’s gross negligence or willful
  misconduct. (Added 1991, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.).)