Vermont Statutes Title 18. Health, § 8007. Conditional discharges

(a) The Board or the head of a hospital may conditionally discharge from a hospital any patient who may be safely and properly cared for in a place other than the hospital.

(b) A conditional discharge may extend for a term of six months, but shall not exceed 60 days unless the head of the hospital determines that a longer period will materially improve the availability of a program of treatment which is an alternative to hospitalization.

(c) Unless sooner revoked or renewed, a conditional discharge shall become absolute at the end of its term.

(d) A conditional discharge may be granted subject to the patient's agreement to participate in outpatient, after-care, or follow-up treatment programs, and shall be subject to such other conditions and terms as are established by the granting authority.

(e) Each patient granted a conditional discharge shall be provided, so far as practicable and appropriate, with continuing treatment on an outpatient or partial hospitalization basis.

(f) Each patient granted a conditional discharge shall be given a written statement of the conditions of his or her release, the violation of which can cause revocation.

(g) A conditional discharge may be renewed by the granting authority at any time before it becomes absolute if the head of a hospital first determines that such renewal will substantially reduce the risk that the patient will become a person in need of treatment in the near future.