Vermont § 9719 - Obligations of State agencies

§ 9719. Obligations of State agencies

• (a) Not later than March 1, 2012, and from time to time thereafter, the Commissioner,
  in consultation with all appropriate agencies and organizations, shall adopt rules
  pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to effectuate the intent of this chapter. The rules shall cover at least one optional
  form of an advance directive with an accompanying form providing an explanation of
  choices and responsibilities, the Vermont DNR/COLST form as outlined in subsection 9708(b) of this title, the use of experimental treatments, a DNR identification, revocation of a DNR identification,
  and consistent statewide emergency medical standards for DNR/COLST orders and advance
  directives for patients and principals in all settings. The Commissioner shall also
  provide, but without the obligation to adopt a rule, optional forms for advance directives
  for individuals with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and cognitive translation
  needs. (b)(1) Within one year of the effective date of this chapter, the Commissioner shall develop
  and maintain a registry to which a principal may submit his or her advance directive,
  including a terminal care document and a durable power of attorney. The rules shall
  describe when health care providers, health care facilities, and residential care
  facilities may access an advance directive in the registry. In no event shall the
  information in the registry be accessed or used for any purpose unrelated to decision
  making for health care or disposition of remains, except that the information may
  be used for statistical or analytical purposes as long as the individual’s identifying
  information remains confidential. (2)(A) Within one year of the effective date of this chapter, the Commissioner shall adopt
  rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 on the process for securely submitting, revoking, amending, replacing, and accessing
  the information contained in the registry. The rules shall provide for incorporation
  into the registry of notifications of amendment, suspension, or revocation under subsection 9704(c) of this title and revocations of appointment under subsection 9704(d) of this title. (B) The Commissioner shall provide to any individual who submits an advance directive
  to the registry a sticker that can be placed on a driver’s license or identification
  card indicating that the holder has an advance directive in the registry. (c)(1) Within one year of the effective date of this chapter, the Commissioner shall provide
  on the Department’s public website information on advance directives and the registry
  to appropriate State offices. The Commissioner shall also include information on advance
  directives, and on the registry and the optional forms of an advance directive. (2) Within one year of the effective date of this chapter, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
  shall provide motor vehicle licenses and identity cards, as soon as existing licenses
  or cards have been depleted, which allow the license holder or card holder to indicate
  that he or she has an advance directive and whether it is in the registry. (Added 2005, No. 55, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005; amended 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 339; 2011, No. 60, § 14, eff. June 1, 2011; 2023, No. 6, § 247, eff. July 1, 2023.)