(a) A person who has a claim against the State, the payment of which is not otherwise specially provided for by law, may file a claim in Small Claims Court in accordance with 12 V.S.A. chapter 187. Notwithstanding 12 V.S.A. § 5531(a), judgments on such claims shall not exceed $2,000.00.

(b) A claim under this section shall be filed within 18 months after the date the claim accrued, and shall not be filed until the claimant has exhausted any duly adopted administrative grievance procedure of the State agency or department against which the claim is made. If the agency or department has not issued a final determination within 90 days after the grievance was filed, then for purposes of a claim under this subchapter, the grievance claim shall be deemed granted. (Amended 1977, No. 94; 1997, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 46, eff. April 29, 1998; 1999, No. 8, § 1.)