Vermont
Introduction
The following is the protection of conscience provision found in an assisted suicide
law. There is limited protection provided for health care
facilities, which can prohibit their physicians from prescribing lethal
medications for residents who wish to use them on their premises, but not
from prescribing them for those who intend to use them elsehwere.
Vermont Statutes Title 18: Health [Original]
CHAPTER 113.
An act relating to patient choice and control at end of life.
Rights of Qualified Patients Suffering a Terminal Condition
§ 5285. Limitations on Actions
(1) A physician, nurse, pharmacist, or other person shall not be under
any duty, by law or contract, to participate in the provision of a lethal
dose of medication to a patient.
(2) A health care facility or health care provider shall not subject a
physician, nurse, pharmacist, or other person to discipline, suspension,
loss of license, loss of privileges, or other penalty for actions taken in
good faith reliance on the provisions of this chapter or refusals to act
under this chapter.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section and sections 5283, 5289,
and 5290 of this title, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit
liability for civil damages resulting from negligent conduct or intentional
misconduct by any person.
§ 5286. Health Care Facility Exception
A health care facility may prohibit a physician from writing a
prescription for a dose of medication intended to be lethal for a patient
who is a resident in its facility and intends to use the medication on the
facility's premises, provided the facility has notified the physician in
writing of its policy with regard to the prescriptions. Notwithstanding
subsection 5285(b) of this title, any physician who violates a policy
established by a health care facility under this section may be subject to
sanctions otherwise allowable under law or contract.