Vermont § 7511 - Transportation

§ 7511. Transportation

• (a) The Commissioner shall ensure that all reasonable and appropriate measures consistent
  with public safety are made to transport or escort a person subject to this chapter
  to and from any hospital, secure residential recovery facility, or psychiatric residential
  treatment facility for youth under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner in any manner
  that: (1) prevents physical and psychological trauma; (2) respects the privacy of the individual; and (3) represents the least restrictive means necessary for the safety of the patient. (b) The Commissioner shall have the authority to designate the professionals or law enforcement
  officers who may authorize the method of transport of patients under the Commissioner’s
  care and custody. (c) When a professional or law enforcement officer designated pursuant to subsection (b)
  of this section decides an individual is in need of secure transport with mechanical
  restraints, the reasons for such determination shall be documented in writing. (d) It is the policy of the State of Vermont that mechanical restraints are not routinely
  used on persons subject to this chapter unless circumstances dictate that such methods
  are necessary. A law enforcement vehicle shall have soft restraints available for
  use as a first option, and mechanical restraints shall not be used as a substitute
  for soft restraints if the soft restraints are otherwise deemed adequate for safety. (Added 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 141e; amended 2005, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2007, No. 15, § 14; 2011, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 24, eff. April 4, 2012; 2023, No. 25, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023; 2023, No. 137 (Adj. Sess.), § 9b, eff. July 1, 2024.)