Protecting Public Health in Vermont

The Department of Health creates and updates rules to help keep Vermont healthy and safe.

We create rules with input from individuals and communities in Vermont. Those rules become laws that make Vermont a safe and healthy place to live, work, play and visit.

What Health Rules Do

Rules become laws that protect our health and safety, from the air we breathe and the water we swim in, to our schools, roads, restaurants and health care facilities. 

For example, these rules ensure that children are protected from lead, restaurants handle food safely, and Vermonters have access to health services like vaccines, prenatal care, and cancer screening and care. 

Why We Create & Change Rules

There are many reasons why we create and update rules. It can happen because of:

  • new research or innovations that offer better ways to protect health;
  • changes in state or federal law; or 
  • recommendations from the Vermont legislature. 
How Rules Are Made

The process of making or changing rules is called rulemaking. Vermont law sets the steps for rulemaking, and the Secretary of State’s Office oversees the process. 

Here are the main steps in the rulemaking process:

How rulemaking works see text-only description below.
How Rulemaking Works (Text-Only)

Develop Proposed Rule

  1. We meet with key people and organizations who may be impacted by the rule to make sure they understand how the rulemaking will impact them.
  2. We draft a proposed rule and submit it to Vermont's Interagency Committee on Administrative Rules (ICAR).
  3. Once ICAR has reviewed the proposed rule, we file it with the Secretary of State. This starts the public comment period.

Ask for Public Input

  1. We post the draft rule on our Proposed Rules webpage and invite public input. The public comment period lasts at least 30 days. During this time, anyone can share input by emailing or mailing comments to us.
  2. We hold a public hearing, where members of the public can give verbal testimony on a proposed rule. Hearing dates are also posted (in advance) on our Proposed Rules page.  

Review Input & Finalize Rule

  1. We review all the comments and information we get. We draft a final proposed rule, based on that input. We explain in writing why we did or did not make changes to the proposed rule.
  2. We file the final proposed rule with the Secretary of State and the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rulemaking (LCAR).
  3. Once LCAR has reviewed and approved the final proposed rule, we submit the final adopted rule to the Secretary of State and LCAR.

Rule Takes Effect

  1. The final adopted rule specifies the effective date. This is the day the requirements become law.

Your comments help shape the final rule. Public input helps create clear, effective rules that reflect Vermonters’ needs and protect the health of our communities.

Learn more and get involved. Find current rules open for public comment and make your voice heard!

Additional Resources

Vermont Statutes Online
Health Department Rules & Regulations

Rules and Regulations

Department of Health rules and regulations are adopted, amended or repealed through a public process...

Proposed Health Rules

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