VT H0270

Communications made during peer support counseling sessions for emergency service providers are protected from disclosure and inadmissible in judicial, administrative, or arbitration proceedings

Covered emergency service providers include firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers, corrections officers, 911 dispatchers, ski patrollers, mental health crisis professionals, and medical examiners

Confidentiality protections do not apply to threats of suicide or homicide, reports of child or vulnerable adult abuse, admissions of conduct posing public safety risks, or admissions of plans to commit crimes

Written peer support communications are exempt from public records requests, with this exemption permanently excluded from automatic repeal provisions

Employers, peer support specialists, and peer support programs are shielded from civil liability for peer support services or participant disclosure violations unless conduct constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct; effective July 1, 2026