Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval for S.28, an act related to access to certain legally protected health care services on a vote of 97 to 43. The bill is up for a final vote on Friday, April 18th, upon approval it will go back to the Vermont Senate.
The bill strengthens legal protections for Vermont individuals and providers in accessing and providing reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. It clarifies and expands Vermont’s Shield Laws and sets new standards to combat misinformation and interference with legally protected health care activity.
“This bill is about safety, dignity, and trust. In these times of uncertainty and attacks on specific populations, we are focused on protecting Vermonters from harm and unjustified prosecution,” said Vermont Speaker of the House, Representative Jill Krowinski. “People deserve to have access to reproductive and gender-affirming care without fear of retribution or interference. Now is our time to use all the tools at our disposal to ensure that Vermonters are protected.”
The bill has a wide range of protections and includes:
- Extending protections to people who helped others access reproductive or gender-affirming care in states where it was legal, even if those acts are now being targeted elsewhere.
- Barring professional discipline against Vermont-licensed providers for delivering or assisting with legally protected health care.
- Preventing Vermont agencies and employees from cooperating with out-of-state investigations targeting reproductive or gender-affirming care if that care is legal in Vermont.
- Granting enforcement authority to the Attorney General to act against misleading advertising or information that harms patient autonomy.
- Preventing the release of sensitive medical data related to legally protected health care services, including by pharmacies and insurers, unless narrowly permitted by law.
- Reinforcing Vermont’s commitment to bodily autonomy, accurate health information, and access to care, despite national legal uncertainty.
- Intending to shield Vermont patients and providers from political and legal threats originating from other states.
To learn more about the bill, visit the legislative website.
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