reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 4A - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry › § 177. Liability

§ 177. Liability
(a) No action for damages arising from the disclosure of confidential or privileged information shall be maintained against any person, or the employer or employee of any person, who participates in good faith in the reporting of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis registry data or data for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis morbidity or mortality studies in accordance with this chapter.
(b) No license of a health care provider shall be denied, suspended, or revoked for the good faith disclosure of confidential or privileged information in the reporting of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis registry data or data for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis morbidity or mortality studies in accordance with this chapter.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to the unauthorized disclosure of confidential or privileged information when such disclosure is due to gross negligence or willful misconduct. (Added 2021, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 5 - Cancer Clinics › § 201. Cancer control; tumor clinics

§ 201. Cancer control; tumor clinics
The Commissioner shall establish, organize, and conduct a statewide cancer control program and may organize and conduct tumor clinics or cooperate with and subsidize hospital or locally organized tumor clinics in such parts of the State as the Commissioner may deem most advantageous for the public health. In so far as is practicable, the Commissioner shall conduct a professional and lay educational program in regard to the early diagnosis, care, and cure of cancer. (Amended 1959, No. 123, § 1, eff. April 17, 1959; 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 36, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 5 - Cancer Clinics › § 202. Clinical care of cancer patients; state aid

§ 202. Clinical care of cancer patients; state aid
The Commissioner may furnish clinical care or diagnostic procedures for persons with cancer or suspicion of cancer. The Commissioner may grant State aid for the care of persons who have cancer or suspicion of cancer and are without means of providing for themselves adequate care as required by their condition, provided that the aid so granted shall not, in any individual case, exceed one-half the total bill. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the names of persons receiving aid under this section shall not be printed in any public report, and the Commissioner shall fix the maximum amount to be paid in any given case not to exceed $500.00 in any patient year. (Amended 1959, No. 123, § 2, eff. April 17, 1959; 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 37, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 5 - Cancer Clinics › § 203. Contributions

§ 203. Contributions
The Commissioner is authorized to receive voluntary contributions for the purposes of this chapter and of section 116 of this title from any source other than the State Treasury and any sums allotted to and received by the State or the Commissioner from the federal government for such purposes and to administer and expend the same for the purposes specified. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 38, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 6 - Health Equity › § 253. Data responsive to health equity inquiries

§ 253. Data responsive to health equity inquiries
(a) Each State agency, department, board, or commission that collects health-related, individual data shall include in its data collection health equity data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, primary language, socioeconomic status, disability, and sexual orientation. Data related to race and ethnicity shall use separate collection categories and tabulations, disaggregated beyond non-White and White, in accordance with the recommendation made by the Executive Director of Racial Equity, in consultation with the Advisory Commission.
(b)(1) The Department of Health shall systematically analyze such health equity data using the smallest appropriate units of analysis feasible to detect racial and ethnic disparities, as well as disparities along the lines of primary language, sex, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic status, and report the results of such analysis on the Department’s website periodically, but not less than biannually. The Department’s analysis shall be used to measure over time the impact of actions taken to reduce health disparities in Vermont. The data informing the Department’s analysis shall be made available to the public in accordance with State and federal law.
(2) Annually, on or before January 15, the Department shall submit a report containing the results of the analysis conducted pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and to the House Committees on Health Care and on Human Services. (Added 2021, No. 33, § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 7 - Dental Health Program and School › § 301. Program of dental health established

§ 301. Program of dental health established
The Commissioner shall maintain a statewide program of dental health. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 39, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 7 - Dental Health Program and School › § 302. Dental educational program

§ 302. Dental educational program
The Commissioner shall cooperate with the dental profession in any educational programs for the purpose of improving the dental health of the people of the State. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 40, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 7 - Dental Health Program and School › § 303. Community dental programs

§ 303. Community dental programs
The Commissioner may advise with communities in the establishment of community dental programs. This shall be done in cooperation with the representatives of the dental profession in any given area. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 41, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 7 - Dental Health Program and School › § 304. Rules and procedures; personnel

§ 304. Rules and procedures; personnel
The Commissioner may adopt such rules and procedures and employ such personnel as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 42, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 7 - Dental Health Program and School › § 305. Federal funds and other contributions

§ 305. Federal funds and other contributions
The Commissioner is authorized to receive for the purpose of this subchapter voluntary contributions from any source whatever and any sums from the federal government and to administer the same. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 43, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 501. State Health Laboratory; other laboratories; tests

§ 501. State Health Laboratory; other laboratories; tests
The Commissioner shall have supervision and management of the Vermont State Health Laboratory. The Commissioner may provide for approval and registration of laboratories performing examinations or tests of a public health nature. Any laboratory that examines material for any living agent or evidence of living agent of a reportable disease to any person shall immediately send the results of such tests, if positive, to the State Health Laboratory. The laboratory shall make chemical and bacteriological examination of water supplies, milk, and food products and examinations for the detection and control of communicable diseases and shall carry on such work in relation to the health of the residents of the State as the Commissioner shall direct. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 52; Amended 2023, No. 53, § 44, eff. June 8, 2023; 2023, No. 6, § 98, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 501a. Specimens submitted by chiropractic physicians

§ 501a. Specimens submitted by chiropractic physicians
(a) According to the public health laws of this State, the State Health Laboratory is required to serve the interests of all of the people of the State, and as chiropractic physicians are subject to the laws relating to contagious and infectious diseases, the purpose of this section is to authorize the facilities of the State Health Laboratory to chiropractic physicians and their patients.
(b) All duly licensed chiropractic physicians in this State shall be legally entitled to submit specimens for examination and to receive reports on such specimens submitted to the Laboratory.
(c) This section shall not be construed to enlarge or restrict the existing legal practice of chiropractors. (Added 1959, No. 241, §§ 1-3; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 53.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › 501b. Certification of laboratories

501b. Certification of laboratories
(a) The Commissioner may certify a laboratory that meets the standards currently in effect of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference and is accredited by an approved National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program accrediting authority or its equivalent to perform the testing and monitoring:
(1) required under 10 V.S.A. chapter 56 and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act; and
(2) of water from a potable water supply, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. 1972(6).
(b)(1) The Commissioner may by order suspend or revoke a certificate granted under this section, after notice and opportunity to be heard, if the Commissioner finds that the certificate holder has:
(A) submitted materially false or materially inaccurate information; or
(B) violated any material requirement, restriction, or condition of the certificate; or
(C) violated any statute, rule, or order relating to this title.
(2) The order shall set forth what steps, if any, may be taken by the certificate holder to relieve the holder of the suspension or enable the certificate holder to reapply for certification if a previous certificate has been revoked.
(c) A certificate holder may appeal the suspension or revocation of the certificate to the Superior Court of the county in which the certificate holder is located.
(d) Laboratory certification and approval
Annual fee shall be:
Drug laboratory approval
$500.00
Drug laboratory alternate approval
$300.00
Drug laboratory approval renewal
$300.00
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) laboratory
certification Bacteriology
$500.00
Inorganic chemistry
$500.00
Organic chemistry (volatile organic
compounds/pesticides
$500.00
Radiological chemistry
$500.00
Laboratory site visits
Not to exceed cost
Clinical laboratory registration fee
$25.00
(e) Fees collected under this section shall be credited to a special fund and shall be available to the Department to offset the costs of providing these services.
(f) A laboratory certified to conduct testing of groundwater sources or water supplies for use by a potable water supply, as that term is defined in 10 V.S.A. 1972(6), including under the requirements of 10 V.S.A. 1982, shall submit the results of groundwater analyses to the Department of Health in a format required by the Department of Health.
(Added 1991, No. 71, 6; amended 1997, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), 56; 2003, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), 1; 2011, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; 2017, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), 6; 2019, No. 57, 16; 2023, No. 53, 45, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 502. School of instruction; periodicals

§ 502. School of instruction; periodicals
The Commissioner may conduct a school of instruction for health officers at such times and places as the Commissioner directs. The Commissioner may issue a periodical giving the results of the work done at the laboratory and the approved methods for the protection of the public health, and such publications shall be furnished free to health officers and residents of the State. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 46, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 503. Use of laboratory by people

§ 503. Use of laboratory by people
(a) The use of the laboratory, and all investigations mentioned in this chapter, except as otherwise provided, shall be available to the people of this State.
(b) Reasonable fees shall be charged to cover the cost of services provided if the service is not requested under the authority of the Commissioner of Health.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 603, the Commissioner shall establish fees reasonably related to the cost of the laboratory services. The Commissioner shall have the discretion to change fee amounts or add new fees to respond to new laboratory testing requirements or improvements, except for fee increases charged to municipalities for testing public water systems and supplies and the fee for total coliform testing, which shall be not more than $14.00. In determining whether to exercise such discretion, the Commissioner shall consider such factors as newly identified public health needs, changes in technology or methodology that affect cost, changes in testing supply cost, and changes in sample numbers that affect testing costs. Fees collected under this section shall be credited to a special fund and shall be available to the Department to offset the cost of providing the services and shall be reported in accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 605. (Amended 1985, No. 220 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1991, No. 71, § 5; 1999, No. 49, §§ 187, 188; 2001, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 51, eff. June 21, 2002; 2003, No. 61, § 2; 2023, No. 6, § 99, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 504. Investigation in criminal cause; expert witness

§ 504. Investigation in criminal cause; expert witness
When the State’s Attorney of a county, on the order of a Superior judge or the Attorney General, for use in a criminal cause pending in the State’s Attorney’s office, requests an expert investigation, chemical or pathological, of a substance, such investigation shall immediately be made at the laboratory, without charge to the State, and the expert making or interpreting such investigation shall submit the results of such expert’s work to such State’s Attorney and shall attend court as a witness at any place in the State when required to do so by subpoena and submit in court the results of such expert’s investigation, and the expert shall be paid as a witness, including the expert’s actual expenses of attendance when summoned by the State. (Amended 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 16; 2023, No. 6, § 100, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 505. Autopsies

§ 505. Autopsies
When a Superior judge or the Attorney General orders an autopsy on the body of a person, as provided in section 504 of this title, the Superior judge or the Attorney General shall direct that such autopsy shall be made by the Chief Medical Examiner, or under the Chief Medical Examiner’s direction, unless, for good cause shown, such judge or the Attorney General otherwise directs. (Amended 1971, No. 33, § 2, eff. July 1, 1971; 2023, No. 6, § 101, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 506. Duties and compensation of the Chief Medical Examiner performing autopsy

§ 506. Duties and compensation of the Chief Medical Examiner performing autopsy
At such autopsy, the Chief Medical Examiner shall take and preserve under proper seal such portions of the body and its contents, together with such other articles as the Chief Medical Examiner judges may require subsequent examination in the investigation of the case. For performing such autopsy, the Chief Medical Examiner shall be paid actual expenses, including the expenses of the Chief Medical Examiner’s assistants. The Commissioner of Finance and Management, upon presentation of the account for such expenses, duly sworn to by the Chief Medical Examiner and approved by the Attorney General, shall issue the Commissioner’s warrant for the expenses. (Amended 1959, No. 328 (Adj. Sess.), § 8(a), (b); 1971, No. 33, § 3, eff. July 1, 1971; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2023, No. 6, § 102, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 507. Contract for services of the Chief Medical Examiner

§ 507. Contract for services of the Chief Medical Examiner
The Commissioner of Health may contract with any person, institution, or State department for the performance of any or all of the duties of the Chief Medical Examiner. Such services shall be paid for from the biennial budget of the Department of Health. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 1961, No. 20; 1971, No. 33, § 4, eff. July 1, 1971; 2023, No. 53, § 47, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 508. Medical examiners; appointment; term

§ 508. Medical examiners; appointment; term
(a) The Chief Medical Examiner may appoint regional medical examiners, who shall be licensed doctors of medicine or osteopathy geographically distributed throughout the State. A regional medical examiner may be licensed in Vermont or in another state. The regional medical examiners shall serve indefinite terms at the pleasure of the Chief Medical Examiner.
(b) The Chief Medical Examiner may appoint assistant medical examiners to assist in performing the duties of the Chief Medical Examiner. An assistant medical examiner shall be an individual with extensive experience in the medical profession, which may include medicine, nursing, emergency medical work, or any other medical profession deemed by the Chief Medical Examiner to provide sufficient health care experience, including an individual licensed in a medical profession in another state. An assistant medical examiner shall serve at the pleasure of and be under the direction and supervision of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Chief Medical Examiner may assign assistant medical examiners to work under the supervision of a regional medical examiner. An assistant medical examiner shall not perform autopsies except within his or her defined scope of practice.
(c) An assistant medical examiner shall meet the training and certification requirements established by the Chief Medical Examiner and approved by the Commissioner. (Amended 1961, No. 43; 1969, No. 128, § 1; 1971, No. 33, § 5, eff. July 1, 1971; 1999, No. 45, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 509. Autopsy; payment; fees

§ 509. Autopsy; payment; fees
For performing an autopsy, the Chief Medical Examiner and his or her assistants are entitled to their expenses from the State upon giving the Commissioner of Finance and Management their certified voucher. Regional medical examiners and assistant medical examiners are entitled to receive from the State a fee fixed by the Commissioner of Health and approved by the Attorney General, plus their reasonable and necessary expenses. (Amended 1959, No. 328 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1961, No. 190; 1963, No. 11, eff. March 19, 1963; 1969, No. 265 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 1970; 1971, No. 33, § 6, eff. July 1, 1971; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1987, No. 191 (Adj. Sess.); 1999, No. 45, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 510. Removal and retention of pituitary glands

§ 510. Removal and retention of pituitary glands
In the course of any autopsy performed by the Chief Medical Examiner or his or her designee, the Chief Medical Examiner may remove the pituitary gland from the body for use in manufacturing a hormone necessary for the physical growth of persons who are, or may become, hypopituitary dwarfs. However, the pituitary gland shall not be removed or retained under the authority of this section if the person having the right to control disposition of the decedent’s remains notifies the examiner prior to the autopsy that removal of the decedent’s pituitary gland would be contrary to the religious beliefs or personal conviction of such person or of the decedent at the time of death. (Added 1983, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), eff. April 5, 1984.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 9 - Laboratory Services; Chief Medical Examiner; Autopsies › § 511. Actions against medical examiners

§ 511. Actions against medical examiners
Actions taken by any person given authority under this chapter, including an assistant medical examiner, shall be considered to be actions taken by a State employee for the purposes of 3 V.S.A. chapter 29 and 12 V.S.A. chapter 189 if such actions occurred within the scope of such person’s duties. (Added 2017, No. 80, § 16.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 601. Local health officials

§ 601. Local health officials
(a) The Commissioner shall appoint, upon recommendation of the selectboard, a local health officer for each town or city, and the Commissioner shall give such officer a certificate of appointment. The Commissioner may appoint one or more deputy local health officers for a town or city upon written request of the local board of health. In case the selectboard neglect or refuse to recommend to the Commissioner a local health officer, the Commissioner after 30 days’ notice in writing to the selectboard shall appoint a local health officer.
(b) With the approval of the Commissioner, towns and cities may combine to form health districts. The towns and cities in such districts, through their selectboards, may recommend to the Commissioner the appointment of a district health officer. They may establish an advisory district board of health and provide for appointment and terms of service of members who shall be representative citizens of the towns in the health district. The district health officer may perform the duties of local health officer in any town or city in the district at any time after written notice to the selectboard. The district health officer, when authorized by the selectboard of each town or city in the health district and with the advice of the district board of health, may employ such persons as may be necessary to assist such officer in carrying on a preventive, protective, and promotional health program in his or her district. Towns in a district may use local tax revenues for the support of the district health officer, advisory board, employees, and programs, and the district board of health may accept grants for those purposes.
(c) The Commissioner may remove a local health officer at any time for cause. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 1961, No. 39; 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 17.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 602. Compensation of health officers

§ 602. Compensation of health officers
(a) All compensation for services rendered by local health officers appointed under section 601 of this title shall be provided by and under the control of the selectboard.
(b) The selectboard may reimburse local health officers appointed under section 601 of this title for all reasonable expenses incurred by such local health officers in the execution of their duties. (Amended 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 18.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 602a. Duties of local health officers

§ 602a. Duties of local health officers
(a) A local health officer, within the local health officer’s jurisdiction, shall:
(1) upon receipt of information regarding a condition that may be a public health hazard, conduct an investigation;
(2) enforce the provisions of this title, the rules adopted, and permits issued pursuant to this title;
(3) prevent, remove, or destroy any public health hazard or mitigate any significant public health risk in accordance with the provisions of this title;
(4) in consultation with the Department, take the steps necessary to enforce all orders issued pursuant to chapter 3 of this title; and
(5) have the authority to assist the Department of Public Safety in inspecting rental housing pursuant to 20 V.S.A. chapter 172, provided that if the local health officer inspects a rental property without an inspector from the Division, the officer shall issue an inspection report in compliance with 20 V.S.A § 2677(b)(2).
(b) Upon discovery of violation or a public health hazard or public health risk that involves a public water system, a food or lodging establishment, or any other matter regulated by Department rule, the local health officer shall immediately notify the Division of Environmental Health. Upon discovery of any other violation, public health hazard, or public health risk, the local health officer shall notify the Division of Environmental Health within 48 hours of discovery of such violation or hazard and of any action taken by the officer. (Added 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; amended 2017, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2021, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. July 1, 2022; 2023, No. 6, § 103, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 605. Local health officer as secretary and executive officer of local board

§ 605. Local health officer as secretary and executive officer of local board
The local health officer shall be the secretary and executive officer of the local board of health and shall hold office for three years and until a successor is appointed. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 21.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 608. Inspection of schoolhouses and public buildings

§ 608. Inspection of schoolhouses and public buildings
The health officer, under the direction of the Commissioner, shall make a sanitary survey of each schoolhouse, all school lunch facilities, and any building used for public purposes and annually in the month of February report to the Commissioner and to the city council or the annual town meeting, as the case may be. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2023, No. 53, § 48, eff. June 8, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 613. Powers of local board

§ 613. Powers of local board
(a) A local board of health may make and enforce rules in such town or city relating to the prevention, removal, or destruction of public health hazards and the mitigation of public health risks, provided that such rules have been approved by the Commissioner. Such rules shall be posted and published in the same manner that ordinances of the municipality are required to be posted and published.
(b) A local board’s jurisdiction over sewage disposal includes emergent conditions that create a risk to the public health as a result of sewage treatment and disposal, or its effects on water supply, but does not include the power to adopt ordinances, rules, or regulations relating to design standards for on-site sewage disposal systems. The board may act to abate nuisances affecting public health caused by the failure of a sewage disposal system to:
(1) prevent surfacing of sewage and the creation of a health hazard; or
(2) prevent the pollution or contamination of drinking water supplies, groundwater, and surface water; or
(3) maintain sanitary and healthful conditions during operation.
(c) All rules or ordinances adopted by a local board of health shall be consistent with the purposes, policies, and provisions of this title. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 1983, No. 117 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 22; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 54.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 615. Approval of selectboard

§ 615. Approval of selectboard
A local health officer shall not incur significant expense to the town or city for the prevention, removal, or destruction of any public health hazard or the mitigation of any public health risk without the consent and approval of the selectboard of such town or city. (Amended 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 23.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 617. Assistance by officers; penalty for neglect

§ 617. Assistance by officers; penalty for neglect
(a) The local health officer or local board of health may call upon sheriffs, constables, and police officers to assist it in the proper discharge of its duties. A sheriff, constable, or police officer who neglects or refuses to render such assistance shall be fined not more than $200.00.
(b) A local health officer may call upon State health officials for technical or other assistance. (Amended 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 24.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 622. Health officers for unorganized towns and gores

§ 622. Health officers for unorganized towns and gores
The Commissioner shall have power to designate a local health officer of a town adjoining an unorganized town or gore as the local health officer of such unorganized town or gore. Such health officer shall report to the Commissioner every violation of this title or any rule adopted, permit or order issued pursuant to this title, and any public health hazard or public health risk of which such officer has knowledge as existing in such unorganized town or gore and, in such unorganized town or gore, shall perform all acts required of the local health officer of a town. Upon receiving such information from such health officer, the Commissioner shall perform all acts in relation to such cases the same as if such information came from the local health officer of a town. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 25; 2023, No. 6, § 104, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 623. Compensation and expenses

§ 623. Compensation and expenses
The services and expenses of a local health officer of unorganized towns and gores, with the approval of the Commissioner, shall be paid by the State from the taxes collected from such unorganized town or gore wherein the services were rendered or the expense incurred. The Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue a warrant therefor. (Amended 1959, No. 328 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b); 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 26.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 11 - Local Health Officials › § 624. Actions against local health officers

§ 624. Actions against local health officers
Actions taken by local health officers or by any other person given authority by chapters 3 and 11 of this title shall be considered to be actions taken by State employees for the purposes of 3 V.S.A. chapter 29 and 12 V.S.A. chapter 189 if such actions occurred within the scope of such person’s duties. (Added 1985, No. 267 (Adj. Sess.), § 27.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 13 - Chronic Care Infrastructure and Prevention Measures › § 704. Medical home

§ 704. Medical home
(a) Consistent with federal law to ensure federal financial participation, a health care professional providing a patient’s medical home shall:
(1) provide comprehensive prevention and disease screening for his or her patients and managing his or her patients’ chronic conditions by coordinating care;
(2) enable patients to have access to personal health information through a secure medium, such as through the Internet, consistent with federal health information technology standards;
(3) use a uniform assessment tool provided by the Blueprint in assessing a patient’s health;
(4) collaborate with the community health teams, including by developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for participating patients;
(5) ensure access to a patient’s medical records by the community health team members in a manner compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; 12 V.S.A. § 1612; sections 1852, 7103, 9332, and 9351 of this title; and 21 V.S.A. § 516; and
(6) meet regularly with the community health team to ensure integration of a participating patient’s care.
(b) A naturopathic physician licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 81 may serve as a patient’s medical home. (Added 2009, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; amended 2011, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 2, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 13 - Chronic Care Infrastructure and Prevention Measures › § 707. Participation by health care professionals and hospitals

§ 707. Participation by health care professionals and hospitals
(a) Hospitals shall participate in the Blueprint for Health by creating or maintaining connectivity to the State’s Health Information Exchange Network as provided in this section and in section 9456 of this title.
(b) The Director of Health Care Reform or designee shall ensure hospitals have access to State and federal resources to support connectivity to the State’s Health Information Exchange Network.
(c) The Director of the Blueprint shall engage health care professionals and providers to encourage participation in the Blueprint, including by providing information and assistance. (Added 2009, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; amended 2013, No. 79, § 33, eff. June 7, 2013; 2023, No. 6, § 106, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 13 - Chronic Care Infrastructure and Prevention Measures › § 709. Annual report

§ 709. Annual report
(a) The Director of the Blueprint shall report annually, on or before January 31, on the status of implementation of the Vermont Blueprint for Health for the prior calendar year and shall provide the report to the House Committee on Health Care, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Health Reform Oversight Committee.
(b) The report required by subsection (a) of this section shall include the number of participating insurers, health care professionals, and patients; the progress made in achieving statewide participation in the chronic care management plan, including the measures established under this subchapter; the expenditures and savings for the period; the results of health care professional and patient satisfaction surveys; the progress made toward creation and implementation of privacy and security protocols; information on the progress made toward the requirements in this subchapter; and other information as requested by the Committees. The provisions of 2 V.S.A. § 20(d) (expiration of required reports) shall not apply to the report to be made under subsection (a) of this section. (Added 2009, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; amended 2011, No. 63, § G.102; 2011, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 41c; 2013, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 33; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 55.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 901. Policy

§ 901. Policy
It is the policy of the State of Vermont that all persons who suffer sudden and unexpected illness or injury should have access to the emergency medical services system in order to prevent loss of life or the aggravation of the illness or injury, and to alleviate suffering.
(1) The system should include competent emergency medical treatment provided by adequately trained, licensed, and equipped personnel acting under appropriate medical control.
(2) Persons involved in the delivery of emergency medical care should be encouraged to maintain and advance their levels of training and licensure, and to upgrade the quality of their vehicles and equipment. (Added 1981, No. 61; amended 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 32; 2019, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 14, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 902. Definitions

§ 902. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, words and phrases shall have the meaning given in 24 V.S.A. § 2651. (Added 1981, No. 61; amended 1983, No. 226 (Adj. Sess.), § 15.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 903. Authorization for provision of emergency medical services

§ 903. Authorization for provision of emergency medical services
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including provisions of 26 V.S.A. chapter 23, persons who are affiliated with an affiliated agency and licensed to provide emergency medical treatment pursuant to the requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted under it are hereby authorized to provide such care without further certification, registration, or licensing. (Added 1981, No. 61; amended 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 33; 2019, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. May 14, 2020; 2019, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 904. Administrative provisions

§ 904. Administrative provisions
(a) In order to carry out the purposes and responsibilities of this chapter, the Department of Health may contract for the provision of specific services.
(b) The Secretary of Human Services, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Health, may adopt rules to carry out the purposes and responsibilities of this chapter. (Added 1981, No. 61; amended 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 34; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 56; 2019, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 906a. Relicensure; grace period

§ 906a. Relicensure; grace period
A person certified or licensed as an emergency medical provider shall have six months after his or her certification or license has expired to resubmit the necessary information for renewal of the certificate or license. (Added 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 36.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 906c. Veterans and service members returning from deployment; prior positions

§ 906c. Veterans and service members returning from deployment; prior positions
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Service member” means an individual who is an active duty member of:
(A) the U.S. Armed Forces;
(B) a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces;
(C) the U.S. Coast Guard; or
(D) the National Guard of any state.
(2) “Veteran” means a former service member who received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions from active duty.
(b)(1) A veteran or service member who held a position as an emergency medical provider prior to his or her most recent military deployment but whose license or certification lapsed as a direct result of that deployment shall be permitted to return to that same position at the same rate of compensation upon his or her return from deployment once licensure is renewed, so long as all other requirements for employment are met.
(2) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall apply to such a veteran or service member until the expiration of six months after his or her return from deployment or the renewal cycle during which he or she returns from deployment, whichever is later. (Added 2013, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 906d. Renewal requirements; sunset review

§ 906d. Renewal requirements; sunset review
(a) Not less than once every five years, the Department shall review emergency medical personnel continuing education and other continuing competency requirements. The review results shall be in writing and address the following:
(1) the renewal requirements of the profession;
(2) the renewal requirements in other jurisdictions, particularly in the Northeast region;
(3) the cost of the renewal requirements for emergency medical personnel; and
(4) an analysis of the utility and effectiveness of the renewal requirements with respect to public protection.
(b) The Department shall amend its rules or propose any necessary statutory amendments to revise any emergency medical personnel continuing education and other continuing competency requirements that are not necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, or welfare. (Added 2019, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 907. Automated external defibrillators

§ 907. Automated external defibrillators
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Automated external defibrillator (AED)” means a medical device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that:
(A) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia;
(B) is capable of determining whether defibrillation should be performed on an individual;
(C) upon determination that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual’s heart; and
(D) then, upon action by an operator, delivers an appropriate electrical impulse to the patient’s heart to perform defibrillation.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) Any person who owns or leases an AED, or to whom an AED is donated, shall:
(1) notify the Department and the person’s regional ambulance service or first responder service of the existence, location, and type of device the person possesses; and
(2) maintain and test the device in accordance with the applicable standards of the manufacturer.
(d)(1) Any person, other than a person defined as a health care provider by subdivision 9432(9) of this title or as emergency medical personnel by 24 V.S.A. § 2651(6) acting in the normal course of his or her duties as a health care provider or as emergency medical personnel, who acts in good faith and who renders emergency care by the use of an AED, acquires an AED, owns a premises on which an AED is located, or provides a training course in the operation of an AED shall not be liable for civil damages for that person’s acts or omissions with respect to such use, ownership, or training in the operation of an AED unless those acts or omissions were grossly negligent or willful and wanton. As used in this subdivision (d)(1), “ownership” shall not include the maintenance and testing of the device in accordance with the applicable standards of the manufacturer as required by subdivision (c)(2) of this section.
(2) This subsection shall not relieve an AED manufacturer, designer, developer, distributor, installer, or seller of any liability under any applicable statute or rule of law.
(e) This section shall not be construed to create a duty to act under 12 V.S.A. § 519 for any person. (Added 1999, No. 136 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2009, No. 7, § 1, eff. May 1, 2009; 2017, No. 8, § 1, eff. April 25, 2017.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 17 - Emergency Medical Services › § 908. Emergency Medical Services Special Fund

§ 908. Emergency Medical Services Special Fund
(a) The Emergency Medical Services Fund is established pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5 comprising revenues received by the Department from the Fire Safety Special Fund, pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 8557(a), that are designated for this Special Fund and public and private sources as gifts, grants, and donations together with additions and interest accruing to the Fund. The Commissioner of Health shall administer the Fund to the extent funds are available to support online and regional training programs, data collection and analysis, and other activities relating to the training of emergency medical personnel and delivery of emergency medical services and ambulance services in Vermont, as determined by the Commissioner, after consulting with the EMS Advisory Committee established under section 909 of this title. Any balance at the end of the fiscal year shall be carried forward in the Fund.
(b) From the funds in the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund, the Commissioner of Health shall develop and implement by September 1, 2012 online training opportunities and offer regional classes to enable individuals to comply with the requirements of subdivision 906(10)(C) of this title. (Added 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; amended 2013, No. 73, § 3, eff. June 5, 2013.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 20 - Birth Information Network › § 992. Birth Information Network; confidentiality

§ 992. Birth Information Network; confidentiality
(a) The Birth Information Network shall be designed to protect the confidentiality of the individuals and families involved. Information from the Network shall be used only in ways that reflect responsible public health protocols and practice.
(b) The Commissioner shall take measures necessary to comply with the federal “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” contained in Parts 160 and 164 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 45 CFR §§ 160.101 et seq. and 45 CFR §§ 164.102 et seq., and any subsequent amendments, including the following:
(1) security procedures limiting access to Network data;
(2) a confidentiality statement to be signed by staff members;
(3) encryption of identifying information; and
(4) use of information for research and assessment purposes. (Added 2003, No. 32, § 3; amended 2017, No. 46, § 37, eff. July 1, 2019.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 21 - Communicable Diseases › § 1004. Report by physician; quarantine

§ 1004. Report by physician; quarantine
A physician who knows or suspects that a person whom he or she has been called to attend is sick or has died of a communicable disease dangerous to the public health shall immediately quarantine and report to the health officer the place where such case exists, but if the attending physician, at the time of his or her first visit, is unable to make a specific diagnosis, he or she may quarantine the premises temporarily and until a specific diagnosis is made, and post thereon a card upon which the word “quarantine” should be plainly written or printed. Such quarantine shall continue in force until the health officer examines and quarantines as is provided in this title.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 18 - Health › Chapter 21 - Communicable Diseases › § 1007. Quarantined patient leaving hospital; report

§ 1007. Quarantined patient leaving hospital; report
When a patient who has a communicable disease subject to quarantine leaves a hospital or institution without the consent of the authorities of such hospital or institution, the physician or other person in charge of such a hospital or institution shall immediately notify the Commissioner that such person has left the hospital or institution and is the bearer of such communicable disease. (Amended 1979, No. 60, § 3; 2023, No. 6, § 108, eff. July 1, 2023.)