Prohibitions Relating to Access to Abortion

V.S.A. tit. 18, ch. 223, subch. 2

in effect

18 V.S.A. § 9496 Definitions

9496. Definitions As used in this subchapter: (1) “Health care provider” means a person, partnership, or corporation, including a health care facility, that is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to provide professional health care services in this State to an individual during that individual’s medical care, treatment, or confinement. (2) “Public entity” means: (A) the Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Branch of State Government, or any agency, department, office, or other subdivision of State government, or any elective or appointive officer or employee within any of those branches; or (B) any municipality, or any agency, department, office, or other subdivision of municipal government, or any elective or appointive officer or employee within municipal government. Added 2019, No. 47, § 2, eff. June 10, 2019.

18 V.S.A. § 9497 Abortion; restricting access prohibited

9497. Abortion; restricting access prohibited A public entity shall not: (1) deprive a consenting individual of the choice of terminating the individual’s pregnancy; (2) interfere with or restrict, in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information, the choice of a consenting individual to terminate the individual’s pregnancy; (3) prohibit a health care provider, acting within the scope of the health care provider’s license, from terminating or assisting in the termination of a patient’s pregnancy; or (4) interfere with or restrict, in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information, the choice of a health care provider acting within the scope of the health care provider’s license to terminate or assist in the termination of a patient’s pregnancy. Added 2019, No. 47, § 2, eff. June 10, 2019.

18 V.S.A. § 9498 Enforcement

9498. Enforcement (a) An individual injured as a result of a violation of this chapter shall have a private right of action in Superior Court against a public entity for injunctive relief arising from the violation. (b) In addition to any injunctive relief awarded, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to an injured person who substantially prevails in an action brought under this section. Added 2019, No. 47, § 2, eff. June 10, 2019.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/18/223Fetched: 10/21/2026