Vermont Senate Bill 37 (S.37) is a 2023 law in the state of Vermont that protects access to abortion and gender-affirming medical care. It was signed into law by Republican governor Phil Scott on May 10, 2023.[1][2] It is sometimes referred to as a "shield"[3][4][5] law and was passed alongside House Bill 89, a similar bill intended to work in tandem with S.37.[6][7][8] Both laws turned Vermont into a "trans sanctuary" state, offering protections against legal action.[9][10]
| Vermont Senate Bill 37 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vermont Senate | |
| Citation | |
| Territorial extent |  Vermont |
| Enacted by | Vermont Senate |
| Enacted | March 17, 2023 |
| Enacted by | Vermont House of Representatives |
| Enacted | April 21, 2023 |
| Signed by | Phil Scott |
| Signed | May 10, 2023 |
| Legislative history | |
| Initiating chamber: Vermont Senate | |
| Bill title | S.37 |
| Committee responsible | Health and Welfare |
| First reading | January 25, 2023 |
| Second reading | March 15, 2023 |
| Third reading | March 17, 2023 |
| Revising chamber: Vermont House of Representatives | |
| First reading | March 22, 2023 |
| Second reading | April 20, 2023 |
| Third reading | April 21, 2023 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Final stages | |
| Finally passed both chambers | April 27, 2023 |
| Summary | |
| Protects patients of and providers of abortions and gender-affirming medical care from discipline or legal action, and requires insurance providers to cover such care. | |
| Status: In force | |
Provisions
editSenate Bill 37 prevents doctors and patients from facing discipline or lawsuits for providing gender-affirming care and reproductive care in the state.[11][12][13] It also requires insurance providers to cover abortions and gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and puberty blockers.[14][15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Migdon, Brooke (2023-05-10). "Vermont governor signs bills protecting access to abortion, gender-affirming care". The Hill. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ "Protecting Access to Healthcare and Healthcare Providers - GLAD Law". GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Cyrus, Connor; Smith, Matthew (2023-02-22). "How a 'shield law' could protect out-of-staters coming to Vermont for abortions". Vermont Public. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Van Oot, Torey; Santos, Melissa (2023-03-31). "These U.S. states push to protect transgender care". Axios. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Kalinen, Layla (2023-04-26). "VT House Passes 'Shield Bill'". Eagle Times. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Foley, Ryan (2023-05-18). "Vermont makes abortion, trans surgeries for kids a legal right". Christian Post. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ "Protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care in Vermont". ACLU of Vermont. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Mearhoff, Sarah (2023-02-09). "Vermont House advances abortion and gender-affirming care 'shield law' in preliminary vote". VTDigger. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Ferguson, Dana; Maucione, Scott; Birkeland, Bente; Pluta, Rick; Jackson, Colin; Squires, Acacia (2023-04-21). "These states are protecting health care for transgender people". NPR. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Hernández, Amanda (2023-06-22). "More blue states declare themselves sanctuaries for transgender health care". Stateline. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Mearhoff, Sarah (2023-03-16). "Vermont Senate gives initial approval to abortion 'omnibus' bill seeking to protect reproductive health care". VTDigger. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Mearhoff, Sarah; Pintair, Olivia (2023-04-27). "With reproductive 'shield bills,' Vermont lawmakers seek to be a 'beacon of hope' for transgender patients". VTDigger. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ "Post-crossover legislative update". ACLU of Vermont. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Ring, Trudy (2023-05-26). "Vermont's GOP Governor Shock: Protects Trans Care, Abortion Rights". Advocate. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
- ↑ Forouzan, Kimya; Guarnieri, Isabel (2023-12-19). "State Policy Trends 2023: In the First Full Year Since Roe Fell, a Tumultuous Year for Abortion and Other Reproductive Health Care". Guttmacher Institute. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
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