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Bill

H 56

An act relating to establishing an essential medication stockpile for reproductive and gender-affirming care

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alyssa Black and 13 co-sponsors

Establishes a state-managed stockpile of essential reproductive and gender-affirming medications to ensure access during shortages, with governance, access rules, and replenishment

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 56

Bill at a glance

  • Bill: H.56 (An act relating to establishing an essential medication stockpile for reproductive and gender-affirming care)
  • Jurisdiction: Vermont
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Sponsor: Rep. Troy Headrick; additional sponsors include Rep. Alyssa Black, Rep. Tiffany Bluemle, Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, Rep. Conor Casey, Rep. Brian Cina, Rep. Esme Cole, Rep. Mari Cordes, Rep. Kate Logan, Rep. Kate McCann, Rep. Jubilee McGill, Rep. Monique Priestley, Rep. Laura Sibilia, Rep. Chloe Tomlinson
  • Committee: House Committee on Health Care
  • Status (as of last action): Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care (January 22, 2025)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to establish an essential medication stockpile to ensure continued access to reproductive health medications and gender-affirming care.
  • It addresses potential disruptions in medication supply, availability, or access, with a focus on medications essential to reproductive health and gender-affirming treatment.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Creation of a state-managed stockpile of essential medications related to:
    • Reproductive health (e.g., contraception, abortion-related medications, fertility preservation, and related supports as defined by the statute).
    • Gender-affirming care (medications necessary for transition-related treatment).
  • Establishment of criteria for determining which medications are deemed “essential” and how they are procured, stored, and inventoried.
  • Procedures for:
    • Stockpile maintenance, including shelf-life management and rotation to minimize waste.
    • Replenishment and procurement, including funding mechanisms and potential state procurement processes.
    • Distribution and access in the event of shortages, emergencies, or access barriers (e.g., ensuring availability for clinics, hospitals, or authorized health providers).
  • Oversight and accountability measures to ensure:
    • Proper governance of the stockpile.
    • Transparency in inventory levels, usage, and depletion rates.
    • Reporting requirements to the General Assembly or relevant health agencies.
  • Potential coordination with healthcare providers, pharmacies, and healthcare systems to integrate the stockpile into existing care delivery.

Who and what would be affected

  • State government and health agencies responsible for creating, administering, and maintaining the stockpile.
  • Healthcare providers and facilities that would access the stockpile to treat patients needing reproductive or gender-affirming medications.
  • Patients seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care, who could gain more reliable access to essential medications during shortages or disruptions.
  • Pharmacists and suppliers involved in stocking, storing, and distributing the medications within the stockpile framework.
  • Possible fiscal implications for funding and procurement, as well as compliance with state regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical storage and distribution.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Health Care, indicating it will undergo committee review, potential hearings, amendments, and eventual floor action.
  • No specific dates for enactment or implementation are provided in the available materials; typical next steps include:
    • Committee deliberations and testimony.
    • Potential amendments and a health care committee vote.
    • Floor readings and votes in the House, then possible progression to the Senate and governor for signature.
  • If enacted, implementing regulations and a phased rollout would likely be set by the administering agency or department designated by the bill, with timelines for stockpile creation, kick-off, and ongoing maintenance.

Notes for readers

  • Details on the exact medications included, funding sources, stockpile size, eligibility criteria for access, and the governance structure are not specified in the provided materials. These elements are typically defined in the bill’s text or in subsequent committee amendments.
  • The bill reflects a policy approach to resilience in access to essential health care medications related to reproductive and gender-affirming care, potentially aligning with other state efforts to secure critical health commodities during emergencies or supply chain disruptions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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