(a)The sessions of groups established pursuant to subdivision 906(b)(13) of this chapter shall be confidential and privileged. Participants in a group session, including Commission staff or individuals whom the Commission contracts with to facilitate group sessions, shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality and shall keep confidential any information gained during a group session.
(b)A person who attended a group session may bring a private action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court for damages resulting from a breach of the duty of confidentiality established pursuant to this section.
(c)This section shall not be construed to limit or otherwise affect the application of a common law duty of confidentiality to group sessions and any action that may be brought based on a brea
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(a) The sessions of groups established pursuant to subdivision 906(b)(13) of this chapter shall be confidential and privileged. Participants in a group session, including Commission staff or individuals whom the Commission contracts with to facilitate group sessions, shall be subject to a duty of confidentiality and shall keep confidential any information gained during a group session.
(b) A person who attended a group session may bring a private action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court for damages resulting from a breach of the duty of confidentiality established pursuant to this section.
(c) This section shall not be construed to limit or otherwise affect the application of a common law duty of confidentiality to group sessions and any action that may be brought based on a breach of that duty.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the limited disclosure of information to specific persons under the following circumstances:
(1) The disclosure:
(A) relates to a threat or statement of a plan made during a group session that the individual reasonably believes is likely to result in death or bodily injury to themselves or others or damage to the property of themselves or another person; and
(B) is made to law enforcement authorities or another person that is reasonably able to prevent or lessen the threat.
(2) The disclosure is based on a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult and a report is made in accordance with the provisions of 33 V.S.A. § 4914 or 6903 or to comply with another law.
(e) The Commission shall ensure that all participants in a group session are provided with notice of the provisions of this section, including any rights and obligations of participants that are established pursuant to this section.
(f) As used in this section, “group session” means any meeting of a group established pursuant to subdivision 906(b)(13) of this chapter for purposes of the participants sharing or discussing their experiences and providing mutual support. “Group session” does not include any gathering of the participants in a group established pursuant to subdivision 906(b)(13) of this chapter that includes one or more members of the Commission. (Added 2023, No. 107 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 13, 2024; repealed on May 1, 2027 by 2021, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)