Act No. 24 Page 1 of 1
2023
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General Assembly. It
is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be exhaustive. It has been prepared by the
staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without input from members of the General Assembly. It is not
intended to aid in the interpretation of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 24 (S. 36). An act relating to crimes against health care workers at hospitals and
against emergency medical treatment providers
Subjects: Criminal procedures; arrest without warrant; crimes against health care
workers at health facilities
This act contains several provisions related to crimes against health care workers in hospitals
and against emergency medical treatment providers. The act permits a law enforcement officer
to arrest a person without a warrant if the officer has probable cause to believe the person has
committed certain misdemeanor crimes outside the presence of the officer and against health
care workers in hospitals or against emergency medical treatment providers. The act also
enhances the penalty for the crime of criminal threatening if the offense is committed with the
intent to terrify or intimidate a health care worker or an emergency medical personnel member
because of the worker’s or member’s action or inaction taken in the provision of health care
services. When a law enforcement officer responds to an alleged crime committed by a patient
at a hospital or at an emergency medical treatment scene, the act prohibits the officer from
removing the patient from the hospital or the treatment scene until the officer is provided with
information that is sufficient to confirm whether the patient is stabilized, has been evaluated, or
is awaiting additional care, as well as any other information necessary to safely take custody of
the patient. The act also requires the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care to provide a
report to the Legislature on de-escalation of potentially violent situations in hospitals and
requires the Department of Public safety to report to the Legislature on any systemic or statutory
changes needed to permit collection of data about the new warrantless arrest provisions of the
act.
Effective Date: May 30, 2023
VT LEG #371335 v.2


Statutes affected:
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 13-1702
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 13-1702
As Enacted: 13-1702