Almost 100 people asked for their foster care records in first year of new law

Almost 100 people who passed through Vermont’s foster care system have asked the state to give them copies of their case files.

The influx of requests follows the passage of a law last year giving former foster care children the right to this information .

State officials say they’re working to fulfill the requests, but they need more staff, and some changes to the law, to meet the demand.

Prior to the passage of Act 173 in June 2024, attorneys, law enforcement and state officials were allowed to read the documents, but the former foster care children themselves were barred from accessing them.

Since the law went into effect, 98 individuals have requested their records, according to a report released this month.

Sixteen people have received their documents, according to Aryka Ra