Forensic facility placement for persons not guilty by reason of insanity for certain crimes [Repealed effective July 1, 2029; see also § 4819a effective July 1, 2029, set out below]
13 V.S.A. § 4819a
in effect4819a. Forensic facility placement for persons not guilty by reason of insanity for certain crimes [Repealed effective July 1, 2029; see also § 4819a effective July 1, 2029, set out below]
(a)(1) A person who is charged with an offense punishable by a life sentence and is found not guilty only by reason of insanity at the time of the offense charged shall be committed to a forensic facility pursuant to this section. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the temporary transfer of a person requiring inpatient treatment through an order of hospitalization pursuant to 18 V.S.A. § 7619 or section 4822 of this title.
(2) The committing court shall retain jurisdiction over the person for all proceedings under this section.
(b)(1) A hearing shall be held by the court where the person was tried within 60 days following admission to the forensic facility, unless that period is extended by the court.
(2) Prior to the date of the hearing, the court shall order that a forensic risk assessment of the person be conducted that includes:
(A) the person’s history and present dangerousness;
(B) a description of any tests that were employed and the results of the tests;
(C) the examiner’s findings;
(D) the examiner’s opinion as to whether the person’s release would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person; and
(E) recommendations for evidence-based treatment and supervision that would support the individual’s success and mitigate risk of aggression and violence.
(3) The results of all evaluations shall be supplied to the court and the parties to the underlying criminal action.
(4)(A) At the hearing, the court shall order the person committed to the forensic facility if the State’s Attorney establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the person has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person.
(B) If the State’s Attorney does not establish by clear and convincing evidence that the person has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person, the court shall enter an order releasing the person pursuant to subdivisions (e)(3)(A) and (B) of this section.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule, witnesses at the hearing shall be permitted to provide testimony remotely.
(c) A person committed to the forensic facility pursuant to this section shall not be released until the court finds pursuant to subsection (e) of this section that the person no longer has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person.
(d) The Agency of Human Services Medical Director shall, taking into account public safety and the least restrictive conditions applicable, provide adequate care and individualized treatment at the forensic facility to persons ordered committed pursuant to this section. In order that the Medical Director may adequately determine the nature of the person’s condition and needs, all persons committed pursuant to this section shall be promptly examined by qualified personnel in order to provide a proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
(e)(1)(A)(i) The State’s Attorney shall petition the committing court for review of the person’s commitment:
(I) six months after the date that the person is committed pursuant to subdivision (b)(4)(A) of this section;
(II) three years after a commitment order issued following a review under subdivision (I) of this subdivision (i);
(III) every fifth year after a commitment order issued following a review under subdivision (II) of this subdivision (i); and
(IV) at any time upon certification at any time to the Secretary of Human Services by the Agency of Human Services Medical Director that the person no longer has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person.
(ii) The Secretary of Human Services shall provide all reports required under this section to the State’s Attorney, who shall file them with the petition.
(B)(i) A person committed pursuant to subdivision (b)(4)(A) of this section may petition the committing court for release on the grounds that the person no longer has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person.
(ii) A petition shall not be filed pursuant to this subdivision (B):
(I) until at least 90 days after the issuance of the commitment order pursuant to subdivision (b)(4)(A) of this section; and
(II) more frequently than once during each applicable period set forth in subdivision (A)(i) of this subdivision (e)(1).
(2) If the State’s Attorney establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the person has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person, the court shall deny the petition and order the person committed to the forensic facility for continued treatment pursuant to this section.
(3) If the State’s Attorney does not establish by clear and convincing evidence that the person has a qualifying condition that, upon the person’s release, would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person, the court shall:
(A) order the release of the person under a prescribed regimen of medical, psychiatric, or psychological care or treatment, including supervision and housing, that the Agency of Human Services Medical Director has certified as appropriate; and
(B) order, as an explicit condition of supervision, that the person comply with the prescribed regimen of evidence-informed medical, psychiatric, or psychological care or treatment, including supervision and housing, together with any other conditions appropriate to protect the public.
(f) As appropriate for the needs of the person, the Agency of Human Services Medical Director, in consultation with the Commissioner of Mental Health; of Health; or of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, shall actively monitor compliance with orders issued pursuant to subdivision (e)(2) of this section. Upon request from the Agency of Human Services Medical Director, the court shall immediately order the return of the person to the forensic facility if the Medical Director determines that the person is noncompliant with the order and that the noncompliance may create a risk of bodily injury to another person. The Agency of Human Services Medical Director shall notify the court where the person was committed upon return of the person to the forensic facility. Upon readmission, the court shall hold a hearing at which the State’s Attorney shall have the burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that the person was noncompliant with the court’s order for conditional release and that the noncompliance creates a risk of bodily injury to another person.
(g)(1) The State’s Attorney shall provide the victim with prior notice of any hearing held pursuant to this section. The court may continue the hearing if the victim has not been provided with the notice required by this subdivision.
(2) At any hearing under this section, the court shall ask if the victim is present and, if so, shall offer the victim the opportunity to be heard. The court may consider any views offered at the hearing by the victim, including the victim’s views concerning the offense and preferences for the person’s placement and care. If the victim is not present at the hearing, the court shall ask whether the victim has expressed oral or written views concerning the offense and preferences for the person’s placement and care, and, if so, the court may consider those views.
Added 2025, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. July 1, 2026.
Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/157/04819aFetched: 10/21/2026