{"data":{"id":"us-vt/18-v.s.a.-9302","jurisdiction":"us-vt","citation":"18 V.S.A. § 9302","heading":"Definitions","body":"As used in this chapter:\n(1) “Person with developmental disabilities” means:\n(A) a person with a severe, chronic disability that must arise before the person reaches the age of 18, and results in:\n(i) intellectual disability, autism, or pervasive developmental disorder; and\n(ii) deficits in adaptive behavior at least two standard deviations below the mean for a normative comparative comparison group; or\n(B) a person with a developmental disability who was receiving services on July 1, 1996.\n(2) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.\n(3) “Near relative” means a spouse, parent, step parent, brother, sister, or grandparent.\n(4) “Interested person” means a responsible adult who has a direct interest in a person with developmental disabilities and includes the person with developmental disabilities, a near relative, guardian, public official, social worker, or clergy.\n(5) “Person in need of guardianship” means a person who:\n(A) has developmental disabilities within the meaning of this chapter;\n(B) is unable to personally exercise some or all of the powers and responsibilities described in section 9310 of this title; and\n(C) is not receiving the active assistance of a responsible adult to carry out the powers and responsibilities described in section 9310 of this title.\n(6) “Guardianship” means the legal status of a person with developmental disabilities who is subject to the Commissioner’s exercise of some or all of the powers listed in section 9310 of this title.\n(7) [Repealed.]\n(8) “Qualified developmental disabilities professional” means a psychologist, physician, registered nurse, educator, or social worker with specialized training or at least one year of experience in working with people with developmental disabilities.\n(9) “Respondent” means a person who is the subject of a petition filed pursuant to section 9305 of this title.\n(10) “Department” means the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.","path":["Title 18: Health","Chapter 215: Guardianship Services for People with Developmental Disabilities"],"source_url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/18/215/09302","current_through":"2025 session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T17:17:03Z","sha256":"304903b96dc3b0b6a8bc9c76a0ffc9e30ee85d4914b75543b4508de6cd3c50a0","source_id":"us-vt","stale":false,"prev":"us-vt/18-v.s.a.-9301","next":"us-vt/18-v.s.a.-9303"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}