§ 3207 — Access to information and facilities

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate and the Deputy Advocate shall, upon request, have timely access, including the right to inspect and copy, to records necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including relevant records produced and held by State entities and third parties. As used in this subsection, “third parties” does not include Vermont’s Statistical Analysis Center.
(b) If the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate determines that doing so advances the welfare of a child or youth, the Advocate and Deputy Advocate may:
(1) communicate privately and visit with any child or youth who is in the custody of the Department; and
(2) upon first obtaining the consent of a child or youth’s parent or guardian, communicate privately and visit with a child or youth who is not in the custody of the Department.
(c) Facilities and providers delivering services to children and youths shall permit the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate or the Deputy Advocate to access their facilities. (Added 2021, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.)