VermontLaw keeps emergency service peer support talks private, with exceptions
Starting July 1, 2026, emergency service peer support communications generally stay private, and employers and support programs receive limited protection from civil claims.
What it does
Session participants may not share peer support communications, and those made during sessions cannot be used in court or certain other proceedings. Specified safety threats, abuse, and planned crimes are exceptions when the information is given to a designated professional.
Employers, peer support providers, and programs have protection from civil claims over harm tied to peer support services or certain improper disclosures, unless they commit gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
Argument forProviders and staff may speak more openly when most peer support communications stay private and cannot be used in court or similar proceedings.
Argument againstParticipants may hold back in sessions if they know communications about serious safety threats, abuse, or planned crimes can be shared with designated professionals.
More detail
Session participants may not disclose peer support communications, and those made during sessions may not be admitted in certain proceedings. This covers sessions led by an emergency service peer support specialist and certain communications involving specialists and peer support program staff. The protections do not apply to communications about a homicide or suicide threat, abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, a public safety risk, or a plan to commit a crime when the information is provided to someone designated to receive it as part of their professional duties. These protections take effect July 1, 2026.
Employers, emergency service peer support providers, and peer support programs have protection from civil liability for specified harm or disclosures. The protection concerns injuries or damages arising from peer support services, or a disclosure made in violation of the act by an emergency service provider who takes part in a session. The protection does not apply when the employer, provider, or program acts with gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. This protection takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 21House message: Governor approved bill on May 20, 2026Latest
- May 20Signed by Governor Phil Scott on May 20, 2026Became Law
- May 14Delivered to Governor on May 14, 2026To Governor
- May 8Senate Message: Passed in concurrenceMajor
- May 7Read 3rd time & passed in concurrencePassed 2nd Chamber
- May 7New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 6Reported favorably by Senator Benson for Committee on Health and Welfare, read 2nd time and 3rd reading orderedMinor
- May 6Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 6Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Favorable report by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 5Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 30Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Jan 29Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Jan 29Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Jan 28Third Reading orderedMinor
- Jan 28Report of Committee on Health Care agreed to
- Jan 28Rep. Lueders of Lincoln reported for the Committee on Health Care
- Jan 28Read second timeMinor
- Jan 28Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 27Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- 2025
- Feb 26Rep. Wood of Waterbury moved that the Committee on Human Services be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Health Care, which was agreed to
- Feb 19Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human ServicesIntroduced
Mental HealthPublic Safety