We love legislative updates! And on Valentine’s Day, we have a bouquet of bill introductions, committee referrals, public hearings (and a few thorns of opposition bills), to share and make sure you’re up to speed on the latest in the Death with Dignity movement.

Here’s the latest on Death with Dignity legislation:

Bill introductions

  • Maryland introduced the End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) (HB1328/SB926).
    • HB1328 has been referred to the Health and Government Operations and Judiciary Committee, with its first public hearing scheduled for Monday, March 3.
    • SB926 is heading to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee for its hearing on Wednesday, March 5.
  • Florida introduced the Florida End-of-Life Options Act (H0471). We are eagerly waiting for the bill to be referred to committee.
  • Kentucky introduced the Kentucky Death with Dignity Act (HB408) and the bill was referred to the House Health Services Committee.
  • Tennessee introduced its Death with Dignity bills (HB598/SB640).
    • HB598 has been sent to the House Population Health Subcommittee.
    • SB640 is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Committee Referrals

  • Arizona’s SB1404 was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. If you’d like to get involved with helping pass Death with Dignity in Arizona, reach out to our partners Arizona End of Life Options.
  • Illinois HB1328/SB9 was referred to the House and Senate Executive Committees. We’re keeping an eye out for a public hearing in either of the chambers.

 Public Hearings

  • In Rhode Island, H5219 had its hearing on February 11, and while no action was taken, the committee recommended it be held for further study. This means it can still move forward before the session ends.
  • A proposed amendment to Washington’s Death with Dignity Act (HB1876) will be heard in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services on February 14 at 8:00 AM PST. The amendment would:
    • Eliminate the seven-day waiting period for patients with fewer than seven days to live, those at risk of losing the ability to self-administer the medication, or those in unbearable pain.
    • Clarifies that physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses serving as attending or consulting providers cannot have a direct supervisory relationship with each other.
  • Maryland’s End-of-Life Option Act (The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass Act) (SB926) was referred to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and has a hearing on March 5, 2025 at 1:00pm EST.

Opposition Bills

  • Montana’s SB136 is a direct attack on end-of-life rights. Last Friday, the Montana Senate voted in favor of this harmful bill, which seeks to criminalize doctors who provide medical aid in dying to terminally ill patients. If passed, it would strip Montanans of their right to make their own end-of-life decisions.

SB136 is headed for a public hearing in the Montana House Judiciary Committee soon. If you live in Montana, now is the time to take action—write a letter to the committee and tell them you oppose SB136!

We know opponents will keep trying to block end-of-life options, but we’re fighting back and exposing their tactics. Death with Dignity is about autonomy, care, and choice—and we won’t let these attacks go unanswered.

We’ll keep you updated as things develop—legislation moves fast, and your voice matters! Stay connected by following us on Meta, Instagram,  X, and Bluesky and sign up for email alerts here.