Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 33, § 5302 (2026)

§ 5302. Request for emergency care order

(a) If an officer takes a child into custody pursuant to section 5301 of this title, the officer shall immediately notify the child’s custodial parent, guardian, or custodian and release the child to the care of the child’s custodial parent, guardian, or custodian unless the officer determines that the child’s immediate welfare requires the child’s continued absence from the home.

(b) If the officer determines that the child’s immediate welfare requires the child’s continued absence from the home:

(1) The officer shall remove the child from the child’s surroundings, contact the Department, and deliver the child to a location designated by the Department. The Department shall have the authority to make reasonable decisions concerning the child’s immediate placement, safety, and welfare pending the issuance of an emergency care order.

(2) The officer or a social worker employed by the Department for Children and Families shall prepare an affidavit in support of a request for an emergency care order and provide the affidavit to the State’s Attorney. The affidavit shall include the reasons for taking the child into custody and, to the degree known, potential placements with which the child is familiar; the names, addresses, and telephone number of the child’s parents, guardian, custodian, or care provider; and the name, address, and telephone number of any relative who has indicated an interest in taking temporary custody of the child. The officer or social worker shall contact the Department and the Department may prepare an affidavit as a supplement to the affidavit of the law enforcement officer or social worker if the Department has additional information with respect to the child or the family.

(c) If the child is taken into custody during regular court hours, the State’s Attorney shall immediately file a request for an emergency care order accompanied by the supporting affidavit or direct the immediate return of the child to the child’s custodial parent, guardian, or custodian. If the child is taken into custody after regular court hours or on a weekend or holiday, the State’s Attorney or officer shall contact a judge to request an emergency care order or return the child to the child’s custodial parent, guardian, or custodian. If an order is granted, the State’s Attorney shall file the supporting affidavit with the court on the next day that the court is open.

(d) If the judge denies a request for an emergency care order, the State’s Attorney shall direct the immediate return of the child to the child’s custodial parent, guardian, or custodian. (Added 2007, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; amended 2015, No. 60, § 7.)