The bill amends various sections of Vermont law to enhance protections for individuals involved in legally protected health care activities, particularly focusing on reproductive and gender-affirming health care services. It introduces new provisions that extend protections to individuals who have engaged in such activities in other U.S. jurisdictions, provided those actions were legal. Additionally, the bill includes amendments to public records laws to ensure the confidentiality of licensed professionals' personal contact information and updates definitions related to health care services to encompass a broader range of medical and supportive care.

Moreover, the bill addresses unprofessional conduct among health care providers by prohibiting misleading advertising and holding providers accountable for their services. It establishes that no public agency or employee may assist in investigations that could impose liability for engaging in legally protected health care activities. The amendments also clarify the circumstances under which disclosures of protected health information can occur and ensure that such disclosures cannot be used to impose liability on individuals involved in legally protected care. The act emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper provider-patient relationships and introduces measures to protect the identities of practitioners involved in gender-affirming and reproductive health care services, reinforcing Vermont's commitment to safeguarding health care privacy.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 9-63, 9-11, 18-5222, 26-1354, 26-1582, 26-1615, 26-1736, 26-1842, 26-4132
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 9-63, 9-11, 18-5222, 26-1354, 26-1582, 26-1615, 26-1736, 26-1842, 26-4132, 1-317(c), 1-317, 3-129a, 18-4999, 18-5200, 26-1658, 26-2858
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 1-317(c), 1-317, 3-129a, 9-63, 9-11, 18-4999, 18-5200, 18-5222, 26-1354, 26-1615, 26-1658, 26-1736, 26-2858
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 9-63, 9-11, 18-5222, 26-1354, 26-1582, 26-1615, 26-1736, 26-1842, 26-4132, 1-317(c), 1-317, 3-129a, 18-4999, 18-5200, 26-1658, 26-2858, 1-150, 12-7306, 18-1881
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 1-150, 1-317(c), 1-317, 3-129a, 9-63, 9-11, 12-7306, 18-1881, 18-4999, 18-5200, 18-5222, 26-1354, 26-1615, 26-1736
As Enacted: 1-150, 1-317(c), 1-317, 3-129a, 9-63, 9-11, 12-7306, 18-1881, 18-4999, 18-5200, 18-5222, 26-1354, 26-1615, 26-1736