This just in from GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defendants (GLAD):
Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law two bills — HB 89 and SB 37 — protecting access to essential healthcare for transgender people. The new laws come as at least 18 states have moved to ban established healthcare for transgender adolescents or adults. Together HB 89 and SB 37 create the most comprehensive protections to date for both providers and seekers of transgender healthcare, as well as reproductive care.
HB 89, An Act Relating to Civil and Criminal Procedures Concerning Legally Protected Health Care Activity — introduced by Representatives Katherine Donnally, Martin LaLonde, and Taylor Small — declares access to transgender health care and reproductive health care a right in the state, reading: “Access to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming health care services is a legal right in this State. Interference with legally protected healthcare activity, whether or not under the color of law, is against the public policy of this State.”
HB 89 protects individuals providing or seeking transgender or reproductive healthcare in Vermont from abusive civil or criminal litigation arising from another state. It also provides address confidentiality protections for providers and seekers of reproductive and transgender healthcare and increases penalties for threatening or using force against those providing or obtaining such legally protected care.
SB 37, An Act Relating to Access to Legally Protected Health Care Activity and Regulation of Health Care Providers — introduced by Senators Virginia Lyons, Ruth Hardy, Alison Clarkson, and Kesha Ram Hinsdale — requires that health insurers provide coverage for transgender and reproductive healthcare and protects providers from being subject to disciplinary action or increased malpractice insurance premiums or risk classification for providing such care.
“The dangerous attacks on LGBTQ+ people across the US — particularly transgender people — demand action by all who are committed to freedom and human rights. Vermont has answered that call. While extremist legislators in some states are denying science and rushing to ban evidence-based medical care, the Vermont legislature and Governor Scott have enacted comprehensive protections for transgender people and their healthcare providers and set a model for other states to follow,” said Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.
“We are especially grateful for the leadership of the sponsors of H 89, Representatives Donnally, LaLonde, and Small, and of S 37, Senators Lyons, Hardy, Clarkson, and Ram Hinsdale, for taking bold and thoughtful action to protect access to sound medical care, to support the ability of individuals to make decisions about their own healthcare, to protect the livelihoods of Vermont providers, and to insulate Vermonters from out of state attacks,” Crozier said.
— from a GLAD press release
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