Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 15 Sec. 7-102

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Identifying information: means any information which might establish the current whereabouts of an adoptee, the adoptee's former parent or other family member, including full name, date and place of birth, and last known address. See
  • Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See

§ 7-102. Unauthorized disclosure of information

(a) A person who knowingly discloses confidential adoption information or identifying information in violation of this title shall be fined not more than $1,000.00.

(b) In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (a) of this section, a person who is the subject of information contained in a record made confidential by this title may file an action for damages or equitable relief against any person who obtains unauthorized information or who discloses unauthorized information, or is likely to do so. (Added 1995, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)