The bill H.563, introduced by Representative Kleppner, aims to establish a private right of action for the unauthorized use of a person's likeness obtained near the immediate entrance of essential care facilities. It introduces a new chapter, Chapter 223, to Title 12 of the Vermont Statutes, which outlines the purpose and definitions related to the unauthorized use of individuals' images. The bill emphasizes the importance of privacy for individuals seeking essential human and medical care, particularly in vulnerable situations, and seeks to protect them from commercial exploitation of their likenesses in these sensitive areas.

Under the proposed legislation, it would be prohibited to capture or use images of individuals within a defined "functional curtilage of care" around essential care facilities without their express written consent for commercial purposes. The bill also provides for civil remedies, allowing individuals whose likenesses have been exploited to seek damages, including emotional distress and punitive damages, as well as the possibility of injunctive relief. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is designed to ensure that individuals can access essential care without the fear of unwanted visual intrusion for commercial gain.