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Reproductive Health in Vermont

As an agency, AHS recognizes that universal access to quality, culturally sensitive healthcare, including reproductive health care, is essential for the health and wellbeing of Vermonters. Ensuring health and wellbeing of Vermonters is core to our Agency’s mission. Further Vermont law codifies that it is a fundamental right that reproductive health care decisions remain between a person and their health care provider. We believe this right transcends politics, that this is about the inherent dignity and equality of all people. Agency over our bodies and our decisions about whether — and when — to have children, is the right of every individual regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, or religion. When access to reproductive health care is restricted, it makes it impossible for individuals and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions. These restrictions in turn endanger patients and prevent health professionals from providing the best possible care. History proves that lack of access to care disproportionately effects BIPOC and lower income individuals and will result in increased trauma, and negative mental and physical health outcomes up to, and including, death.

Read the Governor's Proclamation below or view the Official Governor's Proclamation on Proposal 5

Governor's Proclamation 

State of Vermont | Executive Department

A Proclamation

Whereas, the following article of amendment to the State Constitution has been duly adopted by the Vermont General Assembly, as provided for in the Constitution and under terms of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, to wit:

PROPOSAL 5

That Article 22 of Chapter I of the Vermont Constitution is added to read:

Article 22. [Personal reproductive liberty]

That an individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one’s own life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.

WHEREAS, Section 72 of Chapter II of the Vermont Constitution and Chapter 32 of Title 17 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated require the Governor to give public notice of the proposed amendment by proclamation prior to the submission of the proposed amendment to a vote by the people for ratification and adoption; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 32 of Title 17 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated requires that notice of the proposal of amendment of the General Assembly be published by the Secretary of State in print and on the websites of the General Assembly and the Office of the Secretary of State prior to the vote of the people for ratification and adoption.

now, Therefore, I, Philip B. Scott, Governor of the State of Vermont, do proclaim Proposal 5 is herewith noticed to the voters of Vermont and forthwith shall be published in accordance with the provisions of Title 17 Vermont Statutes Annotated, Chapter 32, Section 1844 and shall be voted upon on the same date as the general election on November 8, 2022.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont on this 6th day of July, A.D. 2022.

/s/

Philip B. Scott
Governor