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Vermont Judiciary Committee Hears Testimony on H545 Liability Shield; Witnesses Urge Stronger Informed‑Consent Safeguards
Summary
Witnesses at a Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on H545 said a proposed state liability shield for vaccine‑related adverse events could shift legal risk to the state and urged standardized informed‑consent procedures; trial‑lawyer testimony noted federal preemption of many product suits.
The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on H545 on Jan. 16, 2026, as witnesses urged caution about language that would provide liability protection to medical providers for vaccine‑related adverse events and asked the committee to require standardized informed‑consent documentation if it moves forward.
Allison Despacathy, a Danville resident, clinical nutritionist and co‑director of Health Choice Vermont, told the committee she supports the Department of Health's effort to procure vaccines and expand insurance coverage but raised concerns about a provision she said appears to grant a state liability shield to providers. "If that liability shield is gonna be there, then shouldn't they also be, mandated to provide informed consent?" Despacathy asked during her testimony.
Despacathy described federal background she said is relevant to the measure, including the 1986 federal law that established liability protections…
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