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