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VT LEG #379406 v.1
H.56 1
Introduced by Representatives Headrick of Burlington, Black of Essex, 2
Bluemle of Burlington, Burrows of West Windsor, Casey of 3
Montpelier, Cina of Burlington, Cole of Hartford, Cordes of 4
Lincoln, Logan of Burlington, McCann of Montpelier, McGill 5
of Bridport, Priestley of Bradford, and Sibilia of Dover 6
Referred to Committee on 7
Date: 8
Subject: Health; prescription drugs; reproductive health care; gender-affirming 9
care 10
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 11
Department of Health to establish an emergency supply of essential 12
medications for reproductive and gender-affirming care. 13
An act relating to establishing an essential medication stockpile for 14
reproductive and gender-affirming care 15
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 16
Sec. 1. 18 V.S.A. chapter 80 is added to read: 17
CHAPTER 80. ESSENTIAL MEDICATION STOCKPILE FOR 18
REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER -AFFIRMING CARE 19
§ 3851. DEFINITIONS 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.56
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VT LEG #379406 v.1
As used in this chapter: 1
(1) “Essential medications for reproductive and gender-affirming care” 2
means medications needed for reproductive health care services and 3
medications needed for gender-affirming health care services, including 4
puberty blockers, hormone therapies, medications for termination of a 5
pregnancy, and contraceptive medications. 6
(2) “Gender-affirming health care services” has the same meaning as in 7
1 V.S.A. § 150. 8
(3) “Health care facility” has the same meaning as in section 9402 of 9
this title. 10
(4) “Health care provider” has the same meaning as in section 9402 of 11
this title. 12
(5) “Reproductive health care services” has the same meaning as in 1 13
V.S.A. § 150. 14
§ 3852. STOCKPILE OF ESSENTIAL MEDICATIONS FOR 15
REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE 16
(a) The Department of Health shall assess, purchase, and maintain an 17
emergency supply of essential medications for reproductive and gender-18
affirming care to ensure the ongoing availability of these medications to 19
individuals in Vermont. The Department may contract or enter into 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.56
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VT LEG #379406 v.1
agreements with health care providers, health care facilities, and other 1
qualified entities as needed to establish and administer the emergency supply. 2
(b) The Department of Health shall adopt rules in accordance with 3 V.S.A. 3
chapter 25 for the administration of the emergency supply, including rules 4
regarding: 5
(1) the specific essential medications for reproductive and gender-6
affirming care to be stockpiled; 7
(2) the procurement, storage, management, and distribution of the 8
medications, including strategic placement of the medications across the State 9
to ensure equitable access, with priority for underserved and rural 10
communities; and 11
(3) protocols for inventory rotation to minimize waste and ensure 12
regulatory compliance. 13
§ 3853. REPORTING REQUIREMENT 14
On or before January 15 of each year, the Department of Health shall report 15
to the General Assembly on the status of the emergency supply of essential 16
medications for reproductive and gender-affirming care, including the average 17
number of doses on hand for each category of medication during the previous 18
calendar year, utilization of each category of medication during the previous 19
calendar year, and the outlook for supply and demand during the forthcoming 20
calendar year. 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.56
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VT LEG #379406 v.1
Sec. 2. INITIAL RULEMAKING; EMERGENCY RULES 1
The potential for limitations on access to essential medications for 2
reproductive and gender-affirming care is deemed to constitute an imminent 3
peril to public health, safety, or welfare in satisfaction of the criteria set forth 4
in 3 V.S.A. § 844. In addition to the rulemaking required under 18 V.S.A. 5
§ 3852(b), as enacted by Sec. 1 of this act, the Department of Health shall 6
adopt emergency rules in accordance with 3 V.S.A. § 844 on or before 7
September 1, 2025 to establish and maintain the emergency supply of those 8
essential medications. 9
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 10
This act shall take effect on passage. 11