Vermont Statutes Title 33. Human Services, § 6903. Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults

(1) If an individual listed in this subsection is a direct witness to evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the individual shall report or be party to a report that is made on behalf of multiple mandatory reporters.

(2) If an individual listed in this subsection knows of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or has actual knowledge that any vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, the individual shall report unless the individual has reason to believe that the evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation has already been reported.

(3) Except as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection (a), an individual listed in this subsection (a) shall not refuse to make a report required by this section on the grounds that making the report would violate a privilege or disclose a confidential communication.

(4) A crisis worker acting pursuant to 12 V.S.A. § 1614 and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman or a designee of the Office, as defined in section 7501 of this title, shall not be required to make a report under this subsection (a) if the report would be based upon information received in a communication that is:

(1) the person making the report consents to disclosure;

(2) a judicial proceeding results from the report;

(3) a court, after a hearing, finds probable cause to believe the report was not made in good faith and orders the Department to disclose the person's identity; or

(4) the reporter is listed in subdivision (a)(1) of this section, in which case the reporter's information may be shared with other investigative bodies as necessary to conduct the investigation.