End of life options.
End of life options. Allows individuals with a terminal illness who meet certain requirements to make a request to an attending provider for medication that the individual may self-administer to bring about death. Specifies requirements a provider must meet in order to prescribe the medication to a patient. Prohibits an insurer from denying payment of benefits under a life insurance policy based upon a suicide clause in the life insurance policy if the death of the insured individual is the result of medical aid in dying. Establishes a Level 1 felony if a person: (1) without authorization of the patient, willfully alters, forges, conceals, or destroys a request for medication or a rescission of a request for medication with the intent or effect of causing the individual's death; or (2) knowingly or intentionally coerces or exerts undue influence on an individual to request medication to bring about death or to destroy a rescission of a request for medication to bring about death. Establishes a Class A misdemeanor if a person, without authorization of the patient, willfully alters, forges, conceals, or destroys a request for medication or a rescission of a request for medication in order to affect a health care decision by the individual. Establishes certain criminal and civil immunity for health care providers.
This bill, HB1011, proposes to allow individuals with terminal illnesses who meet certain criteria to request medication from their healthcare provider to self-administer, aiming to end their life. It outlines the requirements that a healthcare provider must meet to prescribe this medication. Additionally, it ensures that insurers cannot deny life insurance benefits due to suicide clauses if the death results from medical aid in dying. The bill also sets penalties, including felony charges, for unauthorized actions that alter or destroy a patient's request for medication, or for coercing someone to request or rescind such a request. It provides criminal and civil immunity for healthcare providers who comply with the law.
This legislation primarily affects individuals with terminal illnesses and their healthcare providers, offering them an option to end their life under strict conditions. Insurers and those who may interfere with the patient's decision-making process are also impacted by the bill’s provisions. The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Public Health on January 8, 2025.
The latest status indicates that the bill was introduced on January 8, 2025, and was referred to the Committee on Public Health for further consideration. As of the last update, no further actions have been recorded.