The Maryland legislature introduced the End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) (SB926/HB1328). HB1328 received a hearing in the Health and Government Operations and Judiciary Committee. No vote took place.

The speaker determined that the bills do not have the votes needed, and the bills do not advance.

In January, the Maryland legislature introduced the End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) (HB403/SB443). HB403 receives a first read in the Health and Government Operations and Judiciary. SB443 receives a referral to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and public hearing. Maryland’s HB403 has a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. The House Judiciary Committee chose not to vote on HB403. The bill does not advance.  

In February, Maryland introduced their End–of–Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) (SB845/HB933). The bills are assigned to their respective committees. Both bills receive public hearings in March but do not advance.

After a public hearing in February, the Maryland General Assembly sets aside HB0643/SB0701 due to COVID-19.

In January 2020, Gonzales Research & Media Services poll finds 66 percent of Maryland voters support Death with Dignity legislation.

Sponsors again bring forward the Richard E. Israel and Roger “Pip” Moyer End-of-Life Option Act, HB0399, and it passes out of the Maryland House of Delegates with a solid favorable margin. The bill later stalls in the senate by a single vote.

A Public Policy Polling survey finds 66 percent of Marylanders support Death with Dignity as an end-of-life option.

A Goucher College poll finds that 62 percent of Marylanders in favor of the pending Death with Dignity legislation.

Maryland Delegates again introduce the Richard E. Israel and Roger “Pip” Moyer End-of-Life Option Act (HB370). A joint committee public hearing is held in February, but no votes take place. 

A survey of Maryland physicians finds 54 percent in favor of assisted dying. Lawmakers introduce cross-filed bills, HB0404 and SB0418, the Richard E. Israel and Roger “Pip” Moyer End-of-Life Option Act. Despite not advancing, HB404 sponsor Delegate Pendergrass expressed optimism, commenting in the Baltimore Sun:

 “I’m always an optimist. If it doesn’t pass in one year, there’s always another year, and eventually it will pass. So the question is when it will pass, not will it pass.”

Meanwhile, the Maryland State Medical Society changes its position on assisted dying to neutral after a majority of respondents in a member survey advocate for a change from opposition.

The Maryland Assembly introduces the Richard E. Israel and Roger “Pip” Moyer Death with Dignity Act (SB0676/HB10210). Following committee hearings in both chambers, a decision is made to refer the bill for study. A Goucher poll shows 60 percent of Marylanders support the legislation.

Maryland considers physician-assisted death legislation in 1995 with H933 and again in 1996 with HB474, Physician Aid in Dying.