Bill > H0315

This bill addresses nondiscrimination for parents with disabilities by establishing comprehensive protections across various legal proceedings involving children. The legislation recognizes that individuals with disabilities have historically faced unfair biases and preconceived notions about their parenting abilities, and aims to prevent discrimination in family law, adoption, guardianship, and foster care contexts. Specifically, the bill prohibits using a disability as the sole basis for denying or restricting parental rights, responsibilities, or parent-child contact when such rights are otherwise in the best interests of the child. If concerns are raised about a parent's disability potentially impacting a child, the bill requires the party making the allegation to provide clear and convincing evidence of actual endangerment, and gives parents the opportunity to demonstrate how supportive parenting services could address any potential concerns. The bill also requires courts to make specific written findings if they decide to limit parental rights based on disability and mandates consideration of reasonable accommodations. Additionally, the legislation applies these protections across multiple domains including adoption, guardianship, foster care, and child welfare proceedings, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not automatically presumed unfit to parent or care for children. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and represents a significant step towards protecting the parental rights of individuals with disabilities.

Justice

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.315