Vermont § 9306 - Comprehensive evaluation

§ 9306. Comprehensive evaluation

• (a) The Family Division of the Superior Court shall mail a copy of any petition filed
  pursuant to section 9305 of this title to the Commissioner, who shall promptly arrange for the preparation of a comprehensive
  evaluation of the respondent. The evaluation shall include information regarding the
  respondent’s developmental and social functioning that is relevant to the person’s
  need for guardianship. The evaluation shall contain recommendations and supporting
  data regarding the ability of the respondent to function in society without guardianship
  and shall specify those activities for which the respondent needs supervision and
  protection and shall include information regarding the availability of one or more
  responsible adults to assist the individual in decision-making. (b) The evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified developmental disabilities professional.
  The evaluation shall be completed within 40 days after the court’s service of the
  petition upon the Commissioner unless the time period is extended by the court for
  cause. The Commissioner shall send the request for evaluation to the evaluator at
  least 30 days before it is due. The Commissioner shall provide for reimbursement of
  the costs of the evaluation. (c) The Department shall send a copy of the evaluation to the court, the State’s Attorney,
  the director of guardianship services, and to counsel for the respondent. The evaluation
  is a confidential document and shall not be further disclosed by the court and the
  parties without the consent of the respondent or a person authorized to act on behalf
  of the respondent, except that the Department shall release the evaluation to a developmental
  services agency, if necessary, for the purpose of obtaining or improving services
  to the person. (d) The evaluation shall not be used as evidence in any other judicial proceeding without
  the consent of the respondent or the respondent’s guardian or upon order of the court. (Added 1977, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 43, § 1; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238; 2023, No. 6, § 220, eff. July 1, 2023.)