# 18 V.S.A. § 9700: Purpose and policy

> Vermont · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9700

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 V.S.A. § 9700
- **Heading:** Purpose and policy
- **Jurisdiction:** Vermont
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** VT Code / Title 18 / Chapter 231 / Section 9700

## Text

The State of Vermont recognizes the fundamental right of an adult to determine the extent of health care the individual will receive, including treatment provided during periods of incapacity and at the end of life. This chapter enables adults to retain control over their own health care through the use of advance directives, including appointment of an agent and directions regarding health care and disposition of remains. During periods of incapacity, the decisions by the agent shall be based on the express instructions, wishes, or beliefs of the individual, to the extent those can be determined. This chapter also allows, in limited circumstances in which a patient without capacity has neither an agent nor a guardian, for a surrogate to provide or withhold consent on the patient's behalf for a do-not-resuscitate order or clinician order for life-sustaining treatment.

## Nearby sections

- [18 V.S.A. § 9700 § 9700. Purpose and policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9700.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9701 § 9701. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9701.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9702 § 9702. Advance directive](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9702.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9703 § 9703. Form and execution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9703.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9704 § 9704. Amendment, suspension, and revocation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9704.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9705 § 9705. Duty to deliver](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9705.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9706 § 9706. When advance directive becomes effective](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9706.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9707 § 9707. Authority and obligations of health care providers, health care facilities, and residential care facilities regarding health care instructions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9707.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9708 § 9708. Authority and obligations of health care providers, health care facilities, and residential care facilities regarding DNR orders and COLST](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9708.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9709 § 9709. Obligations of health care providers, health care facilities, residential care facilities, and health insurers regarding protocols and nondiscrimination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9709.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9710 § 9710. Consent for hospice care](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9710.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9711 § 9711. Authority and obligations of agent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9711.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9712 § 9712. Obligations of funeral directors, crematory operators, cemetery officials, procurement organizations, and individuals appointed to arrange for the disposition of the principal's remains](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9712.md)
- [18 V.S.A. § 9713 § 9713. Immunity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9713.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VT_T18_C231_S9700. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.