Vermont
Legislation: 2007 VT House Bill 635
Status: Passed in 2007
Disability Type(s) Covered: All disabilities
Summary:
Mandates that in child welfare system proceedings, there should be an appropriate balance between protecting children and respecting the rights of a parent or guardian, including a parent or guardian with disabilities.
Recognizes that people with a disability can be successful parents.
Legislation: 2024 VT House Bill 600
Status: Not yet passed
Disability Type(s) Covered: All disabilities
Summary:
Prohibits using a person’s disability as a reason to deny or restrict the rights of a parent, prospective parent, foster parent, or guardian unless doing so is in the best interests of the child.
Where a parent or prospective parent’s disability is alleged to have a detrimental impact on a child, the party raising the allegation bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence why that parent’s disability is detrimental to the welfare of a child.
Requires that parents and prospective parents with disabilities have the opportunity to demonstrate how supportive parenting services can alleviate any concerns that have been raised.
Requires written court findings explaining why a parent’s disability impacts their ability to care for children and why supportive parenting services is not a reasonable accommodation.