Healthcare (Women's Health)

This bill formally recognizes the week of April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week throughout the state of Vermont. It does not create new laws or change government programs, but rather serves as an official acknowledgment of the importance of this health initiative. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the organization that leads the national campaign.

H.581 exempts medications prescribed for reproductive health care or gender-affirming care from being reported to Vermont’s Prescription Monitoring System (PMS), unless the Commissioner of Health determines reporting is necessary for public health. It also prohibits sharing any existing PMS data about these medications with other states’ monitoring systems. This directly affects healthcare providers prescribing these medications in Vermont, removing a reporting requirement for their patients’ care. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, modifying Vermont law (18 V.S.A. §4283 and §4288).

This bill prohibits using geofencing technology within 1,850 feet of reproductive health care facilities to track or target patients, and bans law enforcement from obtaining "reverse keyword warrants" that identify people searching online for reproductive health services. It directly affects individuals seeking reproductive care (by protecting their location and search privacy), health care facilities (by restricting surveillance near their locations), and law enforcement (by banning specific surveillance methods). Key provisions include banning location-based tracking via apps or devices, preventing targeted messaging to patients near clinics, and prohibiting government entities from seeking warrants based on online search terms related to reproductive health. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with violations punishable by up to $500 per offense.

This bill requires Vermont's Department of Health to create and maintain an emergency stockpile of essential medications for reproductive health care (like contraceptives and pregnancy termination drugs) and gender-affirming care (including puberty blockers and hormone therapies). The stockpile must be strategically placed across the state, with priority for underserved and rural communities, and managed through specific procurement, storage, and distribution rules. The Department must report annually by January 15 on stock levels, usage, and future supply needs. The bill aims to ensure ongoing access to these medications during potential shortages.

HCR 110 is a House concurrent resolution that designates April 2025 as Black Maternal Care Awareness Month in Vermont. This resolution aims to raise awareness about racial inequities in maternal health outcomes and celebrates efforts to address these disparities, and directs a copy to be sent to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.

Vermont's S.71, the Vermont Data Privacy Act, creates new rules for businesses handling personal data of Vermont residents. It requires businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent (not dark patterns or broad terms) before collecting personal data, with special protections for sensitive information like reproductive health, gender-affirming care, and precise location data (within 1,750 feet). The law prohibits using geofencing to track individuals near sensitive locations like abortion clinics or mental health facilities. It directly affects all businesses processing personal data of Vermont residents, including tech companies, retailers, and health services, by mandating transparency and restricting how they can use or share consumer information.