The plan for building a new state mental health hospital cleared a key hurdle Monday.
Financial Regulation Commissioner Steve Kimbell approved a permit to build the new hospital in Berlin, near the Central Vermont Medical Center.
The state’s primary mental health hospital was destroyed by the floods of Tropical Storm Irene last year.
Since then, patients have been scattered at a variety of facilities around the state.
Plans call for a 25-bed hospital to be built in Berlin. Patients will also be cared for in Rutland and Brattleboro.