General Provisions

V.S.A. tit. 15, ch. 21, subch. 1

in effect

15 V.S.A. § 1101 Definitions

1101. Definitions As used in this chapter: (1) “Abuse” means: (A) the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members: (i) attempting to cause or causing physical harm; (ii) placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm; (iii) abuse to children as defined in 33 V.S.A. chapter 49, subchapter 2; (iv) stalking as defined in 12 V.S.A. § 5131(6); or (v) sexual assault as defined in 12 V.S.A. § 5131(5); or (B) coercive controlling behavior between family or household members. (2) “Coercive controlling behavior” means a pattern of behavior that in purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with a person’s free will and personal liberty. “Coercive controlling behavior” includes unreasonably engaging in any of the following: (A) isolating the family or household member from friends, relatives or other sources of support; (B) depriving the family or household member of basic necessities; (C) controlling, regulating or monitoring the family or household member’s movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic resources, or access to services; (D) compelling the family or household member by force, threat or intimidation, including threats based on actual or suspected immigration status, to: (i) engage in conduct from which such family or household member has a right to abstain; or (ii) abstain from conduct that such family or household member has a right to pursue; (E) committing or threatening to commit cruelty to animals that intimidates the family or household member; or (F) forced sex acts or threats of a sexual nature, including threatened acts of sexual conduct, threats based on a person’s sexuality, or threats to release sexual images. (3) “Household members” means persons who, for any period of time, are living or have lived together, are sharing or have shared occupancy of a dwelling, are engaged in or have engaged in a sexual relationship, or minors or adults who are dating or who have dated. “Dating” means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court may consider when determining whether a dating relationship exists or existed include: (A) the nature of the relationship; (B) the length of time the relationship has existed; (C) the frequency of interaction between the parties; and (D) the length of time since the relationship was terminated, if applicable. (4) A “foreign abuse prevention order” means any protection order issued by the court of any other state that contains provisions similar to relief provisions authorized under this chapter, the Vermont Rules for Family Proceedings, 33 V.S.A. chapter 69, or 12 V.S.A. chapter 178. (5) “Other state” and “issuing state” shall mean any state other than Vermont and any federally recognized Indian tribe, territory or possession of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. (6) A “protection order” means any injunction or other order issued for the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against, or contact or communication with or physical proximity to, another person, including temporary and final orders issued by civil and criminal courts, other than support or child custody orders, whether obtained by filing an independent action or as a pendente lite order in another proceeding provided that any civil order was issued in response to a complaint, petition, or motion filed by or on behalf of a person seeking protection. (7) [Repealed.] Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1981, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 25, 1982; 1981, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1991, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; 1995, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. May 15, 1996; 1997, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1999, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; 1999, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2005, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 128; 2015, No. 23, § 152; 2023, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.

15 V.S.A. § 1102 Jurisdiction and venue

1102. Jurisdiction and venue (a) The Family Division of the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction over proceedings under this chapter. (b) Emergency orders under section 1104 of this title may be issued by a judge of the Criminal, Civil, or Family Division of the Superior Court. (c) Proceedings under this chapter may be commenced in the county in which the plaintiff resides. If the plaintiff has left the residence or household to avoid abuse, the plaintiff shall have the option to bring an action in the county of the previous residence or household or the county of the new residence or household. Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1985, No. 79, § 1; 1993, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 129.

15 V.S.A. § 1103 Requests for relief

1103. Requests for relief (a) Any family or household member may seek relief from abuse by another family or household member on behalf of themselves or their children by filing a complaint under this chapter. A minor 16 years of age or older, or a minor of any age who is in a dating relationship as defined in subdivision 1101(3) of this chapter, may file a complaint under this chapter seeking relief on the minor’s own behalf. The plaintiff shall submit an affidavit in support of the order. (b) Except as provided in section 1104 of this title, the court shall grant relief only after notice to the defendant and a hearing. The plaintiff shall have the burden of proving abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. (c)(1) The court shall make such orders as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff or the children, or both, if the court finds that the defendant has abused the plaintiff, and: (A) there is a danger of further abuse; or (B) the defendant is currently under the supervision of the Department of Corrections and has been convicted of one of the following: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic assault, aggravated domestic assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, stalking, aggravated stalking, lewd or lascivious conduct with a child, use of a child in a sexual performance, or consenting to a sexual performance. (2) The court order may include the following: (A) An order that the defendant refrain from abusing the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both, and from interfering with their personal liberty, including restrictions on the defendant’s ability to contact the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both, in any way, whether directly, indirectly, or through a third party, with the purpose of making contact with the plaintiff, including in writing or by telephone, email, or other electronic communication, and restrictions prohibiting the defendant from coming within a fixed distance of the plaintiff, the children, the plaintiff’s residence, or other designated locations where the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children are likely to spend time. (B) An order that the defendant immediately vacate the household and that the plaintiff be awarded sole possession of a residence. (C) A temporary award of parental rights and responsibilities in accordance with the criteria in section 665 of this title. (D) An order for parent-child contact under such conditions as are necessary to protect the child or the plaintiff, or both, from abuse in accordance with section 665a of this title. An order for parent-child contact may, if necessary, include conditions under which the plaintiff may deny parent-child contact pending further order of the court. (E) If the court finds that the defendant has a duty to support the plaintiff, an order that the defendant pay the plaintiff’s living expenses for a fixed period of time not to exceed three months. (F) If the court finds that the defendant has a duty to support the child or children, a temporary order of child support pursuant to chapter 5 of this title, for a period not to exceed three months. A support order granted under this section may be extended if the relief from abuse proceeding is consolidated with an action for legal separation, divorce, or parentage. (G) An order concerning the possession, care, and control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held as a pet by either party or a minor child residing in the household. (H) An order that the defendant return any personal documentation in the defendant’s possession, including immigration documentation, birth certificates, and identification cards: (i) pertaining to the plaintiff; or (ii) pertaining to the plaintiff’s children if relief is sought for the children or for good cause shown. (I) An order awarding possession of a vehicle to the plaintiff for a set period of time, provided that the plaintiff: (i) is the owner or joint owner of the vehicle; (ii) is the primary payor on the vehicle loan; (iii) has primary possession or control of the vehicle; or (iv) has been restricted from using the vehicle by the defendant. (J) An order requiring the defendant to complete a domestic violence accountability program approved by the Council on Domestic Violence. Failure to complete the program shall not be considered a crime for any purpose, including 13 V.S.A. § 1030, but may subject the defendant to civil contempt proceedings pursuant to Rule 16 of the Vermont Rules of Family Proceedings. Successful completion of the program shall be considered a substantial change in circumstances for purposes of requests to modify an order. A court may consider a defendant’s failure to successfully complete the program when determining whether to extend an order. (d) In a hearing under this chapter, neither opinion evidence of nor evidence of the reputation of the plaintiff’s sexual conduct shall be admitted. Evidence of prior sexual conduct of the plaintiff shall not be admitted; provided, however, where it bears on the credibility of the plaintiff or it is material to a fact at issue and its probative value outweighs its private character, the court may admit: (1) evidence of the plaintiff’s past sexual conduct with the defendant; (2) evidence of specific instances of the plaintiff’s sexual conduct showing the source of origin of semen, pregnancy, or disease; and (3) evidence of specific instances of the plaintiff’s past false allegations of violations of 13 V.S.A. chapter 59 or 72. (e) Relief shall be granted for a fixed period, at the expiration of which time the court may extend any order, upon motion of the plaintiff, for such additional time as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff, the children, or both, from abuse. It is not necessary for the court to find that abuse has occurred during the pendency of the order to extend the terms of the order. The court may modify its order at any subsequent time upon motion by either party and a showing of a substantial change in circumstance. (f) No filing fee shall be required. (g) Every order under this chapter shall contain the name of the court, the names of the parties, the date of the petition, the date and time of the order, and shall be signed by the judge. (h) Form complaints and form orders shall be provided by the Court Administrator and shall be maintained by the clerks of the courts. (i) When findings are required under this section, the court shall make either written findings of fact or oral findings of fact on the record. (j) Every final order issued under this section shall bear the following language: “VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AND MAY ALSO BE PROSECUTED AS CRIMINAL CONTEMPT PUNISHABLE BY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH.” (k) Affidavit forms required pursuant to this section shall bear the following language: “MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS IN THIS AFFIDAVIT IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AS PROVIDED BY 13 V.S.A. § 2904.” Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1981, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1983, No. 34, eff. April 18, 1983; 1985, No. 79, § 3; 1993, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2005, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; 2007, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; 2013, No. 17, § 8; 2015, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 31; 2017, No. 44, § 8, eff. May 23, 2017; 2025, No. 46, § 2, eff. July 1, 2025; 2025, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 40h, eff. June 18, 2026.

15 V.S.A. § 1104 Emergency relief

1104. Emergency relief (a) In accordance with the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure, temporary orders under this chapter may be issued ex parte, without notice to the defendant, upon motion and findings by the court that the defendant has abused the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both. The plaintiff shall submit an affidavit in support of the order, which may be sworn to or affirmed by administration of the oath over the telephone to the applicant by an employee of the Judiciary authorized to administer oaths and shall conclude with the following statement: “I declare under the penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the State of Vermont that the foregoing is true and accurate. I understand that making false statements is a crime subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, as provided by 13 V.S.A. § 2904.” The authorized person shall note on the affidavit the date and time that the oath was administered. A minor 16 years of age or older, or a minor of any age who is in a dating relationship as defined in subdivision 1101(3) of this chapter, may seek relief on the minor’s own behalf. Relief under this section shall be limited as follows: (1) Upon a finding that there is an immediate danger of further abuse, an order may be granted requiring the defendant: (A) to refrain from abusing the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both, or from cruelly treating as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 352 or 352a or killing any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held as a pet by either party or by a minor child residing in the household; (B) to refrain from interfering with the plaintiff’s personal liberty or the personal liberty of the plaintiff’s children, or both; (C) to refrain from coming within a fixed distance of the plaintiff, the plaintiff’s children, the plaintiff’s residence, or the plaintiff’s place of employment; (D) to refrain from contacting the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both, in any way, whether directly, indirectly, or through a third party, with the purpose of making contact with the plaintiff, including in writing or by telephone, email, or other electronic communication; or (E) to immediately relinquish, until the expiration of the order, all firearms that are in the defendant’s possession, ownership, or control and to refrain from acquiring or possessing any firearms while the order is in effect. (2) Upon a finding that the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s children, or both, have been forced from the household and will be without shelter unless the defendant is ordered to vacate the premises, the court may order the defendant to vacate immediately the household and may order sole possession of the premises to the plaintiff. (3) Upon a finding that there is immediate danger of physical or emotional harm to minor children, the court may award temporary custody of these minor children to the plaintiff or to other persons. (4) Upon a finding that the plaintiff’s possession of a vehicle is necessary to escape abuse or prevent further abuse, the court may award the possession of a vehicle to the plaintiff for a set period of time, provided that the plaintiff: (A) is the owner or joint owner of the vehicle; (B) is the primary payor on the vehicle loan; (C) has primary possession or control of the vehicle; or (D) has been restricted from using the vehicle by the defendant. (b) Every order issued under this section shall contain the name of the court, the names of the parties, the date of the petition, and the date and time of the order and shall be signed by the judge. Every order issued under this section shall inform the defendant that if the defendant fails to appear at the final hearing, the temporary order will remain in effect until the final order is served on the defendant unless the temporary order is dismissed by the court. Every order issued under this section shall state upon its face a date, time, and place when the defendant may appear to petition the court for modification or discharge of the order. This opportunity to contest shall be scheduled as soon as reasonably possible, which in no event shall be more than 14 days from the date of issuance of the order. At such hearings, the plaintiff shall have the burden of proving abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. If the court finds that the plaintiff has met the burden, it shall continue the order in effect and make such other order as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff. (c) Form complaints and form orders shall be provided by the Court Administrator and shall be maintained by the clerks of the courts. (d) Every order issued under this chapter shall bear the following language: “VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AND MAY ALSO BE PROSECUTED AS CRIMINAL CONTEMPT PUNISHABLE BY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH.” (e) Affidavit forms required pursuant to this section shall bear the following language: “MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS IN THIS AFFIDAVIT IS A CRIME SUBJECT TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE, OR BOTH, AS PROVIDED BY 13 V.S.A. § 2904.” Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1985, No. 79, § 4; 1989, No. 294 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2005, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; 2013, No. 17, § 9; 2015, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 32; 2017, No. 11, § 48; 2017, No. 44, § 9, eff. May 23, 2017; 2019, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. October 8, 2020; 2021, No. 87 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. July 1, 2022; 2021, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 31, 2022; 2025, No. 46, § 3, eff. July 1, 2025.

15 V.S.A. § 1105 Service

1105. Service (a) A complaint or ex parte temporary order or final order issued under this chapter shall be served in accordance with the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure and may be served by any law enforcement officer. A court that issues an order under this chapter during court hours shall promptly transmit the order electronically or by other means to a law enforcement agency for service. (b)(1) A defendant who attends a hearing held under section 1103 or 1104 of this title at which a temporary or final order under this chapter is issued and who receives notice from the court on the record that the order has been issued shall be deemed to have been served. A defendant notified by the court on the record shall be required to adhere immediately to the provisions of the order. The clerk shall mail a copy of the order to the defendant at the defendant’s last known address. (2) An ex parte temporary order issued under this chapter shall remain in effect until either it is dismissed by the court or the petition is denied at the final hearing. If the plaintiff fails to appear at the final hearing, the petition shall be dismissed, provided that the court may continue the temporary order until the final hearing if it makes findings on the record stating why there is good cause not to dismiss the petition. If a final order is issued, the temporary order shall remain in effect until personal service of the final order. (c) Abuse orders shall be served by the law enforcement agency at the earliest possible time and shall take precedence over other summonses and orders. Orders shall be served in a manner calculated to ensure the safety of the plaintiff. Methods of service that include advance notification to the defendant shall not be used. The person making service shall file a return of service with the court stating the date, time, and place at which the order was delivered personally to the defendant. (d) If service of a notice of hearing issued under section 1103 or 1104 of this title cannot be made before the scheduled hearing, the court shall continue the hearing and extend the terms of the order upon request of the plaintiff for such additional time as it deems necessary to achieve service on the defendant. Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1981, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1993, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2005, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; 2007, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 12; 2013, No. 17, § 1; 2013, No. 17, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2013; 2019, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Oct. 8, 2020; 2023, No. 46, § 31, eff. June 5, 2023.

15 V.S.A. § 1106 Procedure

1106. Procedure (a) Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, proceedings commenced under this chapter shall be in accordance with the Vermont Rules for Family Proceedings and shall be in addition to any other available civil or criminal remedies. (b)(1) The Court Administrator shall establish procedures to ensure access to relief after regular court hours, or on weekends and holidays. The Court Administrator is authorized to contract with public or private agencies to assist plaintiffs to seek relief and to gain access to Superior Courts. Law enforcement agencies shall assist in carrying out the intent of this section. (2)(A) The court shall designate an authorized person to receive requests for ex parte temporary relief from abuse orders submitted after regular court hours pursuant to section 1104 of this title, including requests made by reliable electronic means according to the procedures in this subdivision (2). (B) If a secure setting is not available for processing an ex parte temporary relief from abuse order submitted after regular court hours, or if the authorized person determines that electronic submission is appropriate under the circumstances, the authorized person shall inform the applicant that a complaint and affidavit may be submitted electronically. (C) The affidavit shall be sworn to or affirmed by administration of the oath over the telephone to the applicant by the authorized person and shall conclude with the following statement: “I declare under the penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the State of Vermont that the foregoing is true and accurate. I understand that making false statements is a crime subject to a term of imprisonment or a fine, or both, as provided by 13 V.S.A. § 2904.” The authorized person shall note on the affidavit the date and time that the oath was administered. (D) The authorized person shall communicate the contents of the complaint and affidavit to a judicial officer telephonically or by reliable electronic means. The judicial officer shall decide whether to grant or deny the complaint and issue the order solely on the basis of the contents of the affidavit or affidavits provided. The judicial officer shall communicate the decision to the authorized person, who shall communicate it to the applicant. If the order is issued, it shall be delivered to the appropriate law enforcement agency for service and to the holding station. (c) The Office of the Court Administrator shall ensure that the Superior Court has procedures in place so that the contents of orders and pendency of other proceedings can be known to all courts for cases in which an abuse prevention proceeding is related to a criminal proceeding. Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1981, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1993, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 130; 2017, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 25, 2018; 2021, No. 147 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. May 31, 2022.

15 V.S.A. § 1107 Filing orders with law enforcement personnel; Department of Public Safety protection order database

1107. Filing orders with law enforcement personnel; Department of Public Safety protection order database (a) Police departments, sheriff’s departments, and State police district offices shall establish procedures for filing abuse prevention orders issued under this chapter, 33 V.S.A. chapter 69, 12 V.S.A. chapter 178, protective orders relating to contact with a child issued under 33 V.S.A. § 5115, , and foreign abuse prevention orders and for making their personnel aware of the existence and contents of such orders. (b) Any court in this State that issues an abuse prevention order under section 1104 or 1103 of this chapter, or that files a foreign abuse prevention order in accordance with subsection 1108(d) of this chapter, or that issues a protective order relating to contact with a child under 33 V.S.A. § 5115, shall transmit a copy of the order to the Department of Public Safety protection order database. Added 1979, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. May 15, 1996; 2005, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; 2009, No. 28, § 1.

15 V.S.A. § 1108 Enforcement

1108. Enforcement (a) Law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce orders issued under this chapter. A foreign abuse prevention order shall be accorded full faith and credit throughout this State and shall be enforced as if it were an order of this State. Enforcement may include, but is not limited to: (1) making an arrest in accordance with the provisions of V.R.Cr.P. 3; (2) assisting the recipient of an order granting sole possession of the residence to obtain sole possession of the residence if the defendant refuses to leave; (3) assisting the recipient of an order granting sole custody of children to obtain sole custody of children if the defendant refuses to release them. (b) A law enforcement officer may rely upon a copy of any order issued under this chapter or any foreign abuse prevention order that has been provided to the law enforcement officer by any source. Law enforcement personnel may rely upon the written and sworn statement of the person protected by the foreign abuse prevention order that the order remains in effect. An officer’s reasonable reliance as provided in this subsection shall be a complete defense in any civil action arising in connection with a court’s finding under subsection (c) of this section that the order was not enforceable. (c) A foreign abuse prevention order shall be enforceable in the courts in this State if all the following are satisfied: (1) The defendant has received notice of the order in compliance with the requirements of the issuing state. (2) The order is in effect in the issuing state. (3) The court in the issuing state had jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter under the law of the issuing state. (4) In the issuing state, the law gives reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard to the person against whom the order is sought sufficient to protect that person’s right to due process. In the case of ex parte orders, notice and opportunity to be heard must be provided within a reasonable time after the order is issued, sufficient to protect the defendant’s due process rights. Failure to provide reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard shall be an affirmative defense to any charge or process filed seeking enforcement of the foreign protection order. (d) A person entitled to protection under a foreign abuse prevention order may file the foreign abuse prevention order in any Family Division of the Superior Court by filing a certified copy of the order with the court. The person shall swear under oath in an affidavit that to the best of the person’s knowledge the order is presently in effect as written. Upon inquiry by a law enforcement agency, the clerk of the Family Division of the Superior Court shall make a copy of the foreign abuse prevention order available. (e) In addition to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, violation of an order issued under this chapter may be prosecuted as a criminal contempt under Rule 42 of Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure. The prosecution for criminal contempt may be initiated by the State’s Attorney in District or Superior Court in the unit or county in which the violation occurred. The maximum penalty that may be imposed under this subsection shall be a fine of $1,000.00 or imprisonment for six months, or both. A sentence of imprisonment upon conviction for criminal contempt may be stayed in the discretion of the court pending the expiration of the time allowed for filing notice of appeal or pending appeal if any appeal is taken. After two years have passed from conviction under this subsection, the court may on motion of the defendant expunge the record of the criminal proceeding and conviction unless the defendant has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a violation of a domestic abuse order after such initial adjudication. Added 1981, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 1985, No. 79, § 5; 1995, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. May 15, 1996; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238.

15 V.S.A. § 1109 Appeals

1109. Appeals An order of the court issued under section 1103 of this title shall be treated as a final order for the purposes of appeal. Appeal may be taken by either party to the Supreme Court under the Vermont Rules of Appellate Procedure and the appeal shall be determined forthwith. Added 1985, No. 79, § 6.

15 V.S.A. § 1110 Requests for child support; transfer to Office of Magistrate

1110. Requests for child support; transfer to Office of Magistrate A request for child support under this chapter may be transferred by the court to the Office of Magistrate for hearing and disposal. A magistrate’s support order granted under this section may not exceed three months unless the relief from abuse proceeding is consolidated with an action for legal separation, divorce, or parentage. Added 1993, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.

15 V.S.A. §§ 1111-1114 [Reserved for future use.]

15 V.S.A. § 1115 Limitation or denial of visitation

1115. Limitation or denial of visitation In any proceeding under this title, the fact that a parent has been convicted of any of the following offenses against the parent’s child shall be a ground for limiting or denying visitation: (1) sexual assault as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3252; (2) aggravated sexual assault as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3253; (3) lewd and lascivious conduct as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2601; (4) sexual activity by a caregiver as defined in 33 V.S.A. § 6913; (5) kidnapping as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2405(a)(1)(D); (6) lewd and lascivious conduct with a child as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2602; (7) prohibited acts in violation of 13 V.S.A. § 2635; (8) sexual exploitation of children as defined in 13 V.S.A. chapter 64; or (9) an attempt to commit any offense listed in this section. Added 1995, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. May 15, 1996.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/15/021Fetched: 10/21/2026