Death with Dignity Around the U.S.

Updated as of May 14, 2012

With the 14 years of data showing Oregon's Death with Dignity law is safe and utilized the way it was intended with no evidence of a slippery slope for vulnerable Oregonians and since our win in Washington in 2008, bills which seek to improve end-of-life care have been introduced in state legislatures around the country.

State legislators have the Oregon and Washington laws to use as a guide. While many bills are drafted each year, the majority fail. Some consider it a failure that most bills do not end up becoming law, but we view these bills as a testament to the growing support of the Death with Dignity movement, the will of the public, and the strength of Oregon's and Washington's model legislation.

Below is a summary of the status of current Death with Dignity-related legislation in the US.

Bills in favor of physician-assisted death:

Hawaii
Bill Numbers Senate Bill 803 and House Bill 1383
Bill title Death with Dignity
Summary Introduces legislation similar to the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Date Introduced 1/21/11 to the Senate and 1/26/11 to the House
Latest update Carried over to 2012 Regular Session on 12/1/11. Hawaii's 2011-2012 Session adjourned 5/3/12, and bills didn't moved forward.
Massachusetts
Bill Number House Bill 2233
Bill title Allow for physician assisted suicide for qualified patients to end their lives.
Summary Introduces legislation similar to the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Date Introduced 1/24/11
Latest update Joint Committee hearing completed on 3/6/12. Last day for the legislature to report on this bill was 4/27/12. Bill didn't move forward.
Bill Number House Bill 3884
Bill title An Act Relative to Death with Dignity
Summary Initiative petition of Marcia Angell and others for the passage of An Act relative to death with dignity
Date Introduced 1/17/12
Latest update Joint Committee hearing completed on 3/6/12. Last day for the legislature to report on this bill was 4/27/12. Initiative now in final signature-gathering phase. Dignity 2012 must gather 11,000 qualified signatures by June 20 for initiative to be included on November ballot.
New York
Bill Number Assemby Bill 9360
Bill title An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing "the death with dignity act"
Summary Introduces legislation similar to the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Date Introduced 2/22/12
Latest update Referred to health committee 2/22/12. Enacting clause stricken on 5/9/12 (a parliamentary motion which kills the measure).
Pennsylvania
Bill Number Senate Bill 431
Bill title An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for procedures regarding the request and dispensation of lethal medication to patients seeking to die in a dignified and humane manner
Summary Introduces legislation similar to the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Date Introduced 2/7/11
Latest update Referred to Judiciary committee on 2/7/11. Bill is active for consideration.
Vermont
Bill Numbers Senate Bill 103 and House Bill 274
Bill title Patient Choice and Control at End of Life
Summary Introduces legislation similar to the Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Date Introduced 2/16/11 in the House and to the Senate on 3/29/11.
Latest update Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary on 3/29/11 and the House Committee on Human Services on 2/17/11. Bill received hearing in Senate Judiciary Committee on March 13 and 14, 2012. You can see videos of the testimony on Patient Choices Vermont's website. Supporters of the bill worked to give all the Senators an opportunity to vote, and used a Senate rule which allows certain pieces of legislation to be voted on as an amendment instead of as a self-standing bill. You can read more about the proceedings on our blog, Living with Dying. Vermont's 2011-2012 legislative session adjourned on 5/5/12.

Bills banning "assisted suicide":

Georgia
Bill Number House Bill 1114
Bill title Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 5 of Title 16 of the O.C.G.A.
Summary Would make it a felony to "knowingly and willfully" assist another person in committing suicide.
Date Introduced 2/21/12
Latest update Approved by the House on 3/7/12, 124 voted for the bill and 45 against. Passed by the Senate on 3/27/12. Amendments made by the Senate approved by the House on 3/29/12. Act 639 signed by the governor on 5/1/12.
Louisiana
Bill Number House Bill 1086
Bill title An Act to amend and reenact R.S. 40:1299.55 and 1299.58.10(A)
Summary Adds following language to statute regarding medical consent and delcarations concerning life-sustating procedures: "Nothing in this Part shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve assistance to suicide, mercy killing, or euthanasia."
Date Introduced 4/3/12
Latest update House Committee on Health and Welfare reported favorably on 4/11/12, bill was read in the House, and a floor debate was held on 4/23/12. Passed by House on same day and sent to Senate for consideration. Senate suspended rules to allow bill to be introduced and assigned to Committee on Health and Welfare on 4/24/12.

Did we miss one? Contact Melissa with updates on your state.

Defend dignity. Take action.

You are the key to ensuring well-crafted Death with Dignity laws for all Americans. With your financial and volunteer help, the Death with Dignity National Center, a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Member contributions helped us pass a new Death with Dignity law in Washington, defend the Oregon law, and provide education and outreach programs for the vitality of the death with dignity movement.

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