Death with Dignity Legislative Update: 2–15–23

Things are moving fast across the country this legislative session! Four more Death with Dignity bills have been introduced and others are blazing through the legislative process. We have a lot of exciting updates!

New Bills Introduced:

Maryland introduced the End–of–Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) (SB845/HB933). This bill would legalize Death with Dignity in Maryland. With an openly supportive Governor we are extremely hopeful of progress for Maryland!

Rhode Island introduced a companion bill to the Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act (H2510). The bill, S126, has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Vermont introduced H190, a companion bill to S26, which would remove the state’s residency requirement. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Human Services.

Oregon introduced an amendment to the Death with Dignity Act (SB891), which would expand access to qualified patients. It has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. This bill includes:

• Expanding health care providers authorized to prescribe medication to include physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
• Repealing the residency requirement.
• Reducing the waiting period between oral requests from 15 days to 48 hours.
• Allowing the attending provider to electronically send the prescription to a pharmacy.
• Authorizing aid-in-dying medications to be delivered by mail.

Bill Progress:

Arizona’s HB2583 had its second reading in the House on February 7. Its Senate counterpart, SB1646 also received a second reading on February 9th.

Washington’s amendment to their Death with Dignity Act, HB1281, passed in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness with a 11Y-6N vote. Its Senate counterpart, SB5179, also passed the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care with a 6Y-4N and moved to the Rules Committee for a second reading.

Public Hearings:

Washington’s SB5179 had an executive session in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care on February 9.

Vermont’s amendment, H190, had a public hearing in the House Committee on Human Services on February 9.

Keep an eye out for more updates soon! As always, be the first to know breaking news by following our medium page here.