An Act relative to end of life options
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, titled ‘An Act relative to end of life options,’ proposes to establish a framework for terminally ill adults to request and receive medication to hasten their death. It aims to provide a voluntary and medically supervised process for individuals facing unbearable suffering due to a terminal illness. The legislation seeks to ensure patient autonomy and dignity at the end of life, while also incorporating safeguards and counseling requirements.
Key provisions
- Allows terminally ill adults to request a prescription for medication to end their lives.
- Requires a diagnosis of a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less to live.
- Mandates two consultations with physicians and a psychological evaluation.
- Establishes a waiting period between consultations.
- Specifies requirements for the dispensing of the medication.
- Includes provisions for counseling and support services.
- Creates a registry to track requests and outcomes (subject to privacy protections).
- Requires the Department of Public Health to develop guidelines and regulations for implementation.
Who is affected
- Terminally ill adults
- Physicians
- Psychologists
- Pharmacists
- The Department of Public Health
Notable changes
- Introduces a legal framework for medical aid in dying.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
25 on record
Primary sponsor
Joanne M. Comerford
Cosponsors
Cynthia Stone Creem
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