§ 7260 — Mental health response service guidelines

(a) The Department shall develop guidelines for use by municipalities, including use by emergency medical technicians and public safety personnel, such as law enforcement officers as defined by 20 V.S.A. § 2351a and firefighters as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 3151, who are employed, volunteer, or are under contract with a municipality. The guidelines shall recommend best practices for de-escalation and for mental health response services, including crisis response services. The Department shall make the guidelines available to municipalities and publish the guidelines on the Department’s website.
(b) In developing the guidelines required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall consult with the following entities:
(1) the Department of Health;
(2) the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living;
(3) the Department of Public Safety;
(4) the Vermont Care Partners;
(5) the Vermont Psychiatric Survivors;
(6) the Vermont chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness;
(7) the Vermont Criminal Justice Council;
(8) the Vermont League of Cities and Towns;
(9) Disability Rights Vermont;
(10) the Department’s State Program Standing Committees; and
(11) any other stakeholders the Department deems appropriate. (Added 2023, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.)