Bill > H0075

This bill expands Vermont's end-of-life care laws to include additional healthcare professionals in the patient choice and do-not-resuscitate (DNR)/clinician orders for life-sustaining treatment (COLST) processes. Specifically, the bill adds naturopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to the list of "clinicians" who can participate in end-of-life decision-making. These professionals can now help patients navigate options for terminal care, including prescribing medication to hasten death, issuing DNR orders, and creating COLST documents. The bill maintains existing safeguards, such as requiring multiple patient requests, medical confirmations, and informed consent procedures. Key changes include updating definitions to replace "physician" with "clinician" throughout the relevant statutes, ensuring that these expanded healthcare providers can follow the same protocols as medical doctors when assisting patients with end-of-life choices. The bill aims to provide patients with more options and flexibility in managing their care at the end of life by broadening the range of healthcare professionals who can support these sensitive medical decisions. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving healthcare systems time to prepare for the expanded scope of practice.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.75