Vermont passes sterilization legislation

March 31, 1931. The Legislature of Vermont passes "An act for human betterment by voluntary sterilization". The aim of the legislation was to prevent the procreation of individuals judged to be idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded or insane through voluntary sterilization. The legislation outlined when sterilizations could be performed and how they were to managed, both legally and financially.

In terms of the legislation's process, two physicians and surgeons could decide to sterilize residents of state institutions if the following conditions were met. First, the individuals had to judged to be at risk of having children who would be idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded or insane. Second, the individuals could not be harmed by the operation. Third, the individuals' and the public's welfare be improved by the operation. Fourth, consent, in writing, was acquired from either the candidates for sterilization or their legal guardians. The sterilization operations had to be performed by contracted surgeons not in the employment of the state (Acts & Res. passed by the Gen. Ass. of the State of Vermont, No.174, §64, 194-196).

In terms of management, the legislation specified that physicians or surgeons involved in the sterilizations were to be reimbursed for any costs incurred (Acts & Res. passed by the Gen. Ass. of the State of Vermont, No.174, §64, 196).

Vermont also had a marriage law stipulating that those deemed idiots, imbeciles, and feebleminded persons who wished to be wed had to be examined by a physician and receive sign approval beforehand (Kaelber, 2011).

The result of this legislation was the eventual sterilization of 253 people, making Vermont 25th in the United States for total number of sterilizations. The majority of the sterilizations were performed in the years 1931-1941.

-Luke Kersten

  • State of Vermont. (1931). An Act for human betterment by voluntary sterilization. Acts and Resolves passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.

  • Kaelber, L. (2011). Eugenics: Compulsory Sterilization in 50 American States. Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/VT/VT.html.

Vermont passes sterilization legislation

March 31, 1931. The Legislature of Vermont passes "An act for human betterment by voluntary sterilization". The aim of the legislation was to prevent the procreation of individuals judged to be idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded or insane through voluntary sterilization. The legislation outlined when sterilizations could be performed and how they were to managed, both legally and financially.

In terms of the legislation's process, two physicians and surgeons could decide to sterilize residents of state institutions if the following conditions were met. First, the individuals had to judged to be at risk of having children who would be idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded or insane. Second, the individuals could not be harmed by the operation. Third, the individuals' and the public's welfare be improved by the operation. Fourth, consent, in writing, was acquired from either the candidates for sterilization or their legal guardians. The sterilization operations had to be performed by contracted surgeons not in the employment of the state (Acts & Res. passed by the Gen. Ass. of the State of Vermont, No.174, §64, 194-196).

In terms of management, the legislation specified that physicians or surgeons involved in the sterilizations were to be reimbursed for any costs incurred (Acts & Res. passed by the Gen. Ass. of the State of Vermont, No.174, §64, 196).

Vermont also had a marriage law stipulating that those deemed idiots, imbeciles, and feebleminded persons who wished to be wed had to be examined by a physician and receive sign approval beforehand (Kaelber, 2011).

The result of this legislation was the eventual sterilization of 253 people, making Vermont 25th in the United States for total number of sterilizations. The majority of the sterilizations were performed in the years 1931-1941.

-Luke Kersten

  • State of Vermont. (1931). An Act for human betterment by voluntary sterilization. Acts and Resolves passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.

  • Kaelber, L. (2011). Eugenics: Compulsory Sterilization in 50 American States. Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/VT/VT.html.