A legislative committee approved a strike‑all amendment, version 2.1, to H.534 that replaces most of the bill with new language covering recommended immunizations, advisory‑council membership and duties, pharmacy authority, and a six‑year sunset that would restore current law on July 1, 2031.

Katie, the committee drafter, told members the staff "struck out the whole bill and put it in again" to accommodate the committee's choices and to show both the immediate changes and the text that would be restored at the sunset date. She said sections 1–3 reproduce the introduced bill’s statutory text while the substantive updates are in later sections, including a new requirement that each designated Community Action Agency perform a needs assessment every three years and incorporate that assessment into an annual Community Action Plan that "shall include a schedule for the anticipated provision of new or ongoing services and shall specify the resources that are needed by and available to the agency to implement the plan." (Katie)

The amendment changes how the law refers to vaccines. For the period from passage through July 1, 2031, the draft uses the term "recommended immunization" and directs the commissioner to periodically issue recommendations about which immunizations children and adults are recommended to receive, the ages and dosages, and timing. Committee members discussed whether to use "immunization," "recommended immunization," or "vaccine" in multiple places and asked the Department of Health to confirm that the department's suggested definition matched the committee’s intent.

The measure instructs the Department to purchase recommended immunizations "consistent with the goals of the program" and "at the lowest available cost," language the drafter said was intentionally paired so that price would not be the sole determinant of purchases.

The bill also clarifies insurer coverage and pharmacist authority. Draft language would prevent group and individual insurance policies from imposing copayments, coinsurance or deductibles for recommended immunizations during the effective period of the new language. It restates existing pharmacist and pharmacy‑technician authorities in the bill so those provisions take effect on passage; those authorities will revert to current law on July 1, 2031, unless retained. The draft specifies pharmacists may provide or administer immunizations consistent with state protocols approved by the commissioner, after consultation and public comment. Pharmacists may act for adults (18 and older) and, by precedent in prior legislation, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians continue to be limited for certain listed immunizations to patients 5 years of age and older.

Members also reviewed advisory bodies. The amendment adjusts membership of the Immunization Advisory Council, separating some secretary roles, and—at the Office of Professional Regulation’s request—adds an APRN representative and a pharmacist while eliminating a previously proposed slot. Mary Plompton of the Department of Health told the committee the advisory council "was originally formed to determine what immunizations would be required for childcare and school entry in Vermont," and the bill uses the existing council rather than creating a second committee.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized the sunset mechanics. The drafter explained that sections 1–7 and section 14 take effect on passage while sections 8–13 will take effect on July 1, 2031, at which point the bill will revert to current statutory language in those areas unless future legislatures act. The chair summarized the practical effect: "another legislature, 6 years from now, will need to take up the topic again, see what is happening at that point in time, and they'll be voting on whether to continue what we've done here or whether to revert back or make any further changes." (Chair (Unidentified Speaker))

On the motion to approve the draft, the clerk called the roll; multiple representatives recorded "Yes," and the chair said Representative Noyes will report the committee’s action to the floor. The committee paused pending the arrival of Dr. Hildebrandt, who was scheduled to answer outstanding questions.

What happens next: the committee approved the strike‑all amendment and will send the committee report to the floor; members expected to receive a revised draft incorporating technical edits and the clarifications discussed, and to reconvene with Dr. Hildebrandt for follow‑up questions.