We’re now at the mid-point of the 2026 legislative sessions. Across the country, 17 states have introduced Death with Dignity bills or amendments this year, each navigating unique committee processes, crossover deadlines, and legislative calendars.
Some remain actively under consideration, others missed key deadlines but could still see action, and a few have concluded for the year with session adjournment. Here’s a snapshot of what has happened so far in each state.
Active Death with Dignity States
These states have introduced medical aid in dying legislation, and the bill or amendment is still under consideration by the Legislature. They remain active until a deadline or the end of the session.
Northeast
Massachusetts: The End of Life Options Act (H2505/S1486), bills that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, carried over into the 2026 session. S1486 is currently in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, having passed last year out of the Joint Committee on Public Health and the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. Its companion, H2505, remains in the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. The Massachusetts legislative session ends on July 31, 2026.
If you’re a Massachusetts resident, tell your lawmakers to support the End of Life Options Act (H2505/S1486)! If you do not live in the state, please share this pre-written letter with your Massachusetts community.
New Jersey: This session, S710, an amendment to the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, was introduced. The amendment would waive the 15-day waiting period for patients unlikely to survive that long. The bill was referred to the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. To date, no hearing has been scheduled on the bill. The New Jersey session runs through the end of 2027.
If you’re a New Jersey resident, ask the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee to support S710! If you do not live in the state, please share this pre-written letter with your New Jersey community.
North Carolina: When North Carolina’s session begins on April 21, H410 will carry over into the 2026 session. The bill directs the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to conduct a study on medical aid in dying. Last session, the bill was referred to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committees. Dying Right North Carolina joins with us in supporting the legislation. The North Carolina session is expected to adjourn near the end of July 2026.
Pennsylvania: The Compassionate Aid in Dying Acts (HB1109/SB570), bills that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, carried over into the 2026 session. Both bills are now in the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The last day of the Pennsylvania session is December 31, 2026.
If you’re a Pennsylvania resident, tell your legislators to support The Compassionate Aid in Dying Act (HB1109/SB570)! If you do not live in the state, please share this pre-written letter with your Pennsylvania community.
Rhode Island: The Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act (S2051/H7760) was introduced and referred to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. These bills have been introduced for several years in a row, and advocates are hopeful for momentum this session. The Rhode Island session ends June 30, 2026.
If you’re a Rhode Island resident, tell your lawmakers to support the Lila Mansfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act (S2051/H7760)! If you live outside the state, please share this pre-written letter with your Rhode Island community.
Midwest
Illinois: Republican Representative Brad Halbrook introduced HB4381, a bill that would repeal the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, eliminating the existing Death with Dignity law set to go into effect on September 26, 2026. The law was signed by Governor Pritzker at the end of 2025.
This law received a full and thoughtful hearing during the 2025 legislative session. It was openly debated. Medical experts testified. Families and advocates courageously shared deeply personal stories. And after careful consideration, Governor Pritzker made a deliberate decision to sign it into law.
Now, a legislator who is opposed to the law based on personal religious beliefs has introduced HB4381 to repeal it. The last day of the Illinois session is May 31, 2026.
Illinois, we need YOUR help to protect this hard-won progress. Write to your legislators and ask them to vote NO on HB4381. If you don’t live in Illinois, send this pre-written letter to an Illinois resident who believes in Death with Dignity!
Missouri: The Death with Dignity Act (HB3497), a bill that would legalize aid in dying in the state, was introduced by the Missouri House. This bill is championed by Republican State Representative Carolyn Caton.
This introduction comes weeks after another Death with Dignity bill in the House, the Marilyn Teitelbaum Death with Dignity Act (HB2188), sponsored by Democrat Representative Ian Mackey. Both House bills have similar language legalizing Death with Dignity in Missouri. We are encouraged to see these bills have bipartisan support. The last day of the Missouri session is May 15, 2026.
If you are a Missouri resident, send a letter to your legislators today to ensure HB3497/HB2188 sees the finish line this session! If you live outside of Missouri, share this pre-written letter with your Missouri community so they can tell their legislator to support medical aid in dying in 2 minutes or less!
Southern Region
Kentucky: Rena’s Law (HB408), a bill that would legalize Death with Dignity for terminally ill Kentuckians, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Health Services.
HB646 was also introduced and would move Kentucky in the opposite direction. The bill would increase government interference in deeply personal medical decisions at the end of life. In a state that values small government and individual freedom, this creates a barrier to accessing quality health care that every adult in Kentucky deserves.
Even more concerning, HB646 would create fear among doctors and pharmacists, making them hesitant to prescribe adequate pain relief due to the risk of prosecution. That could lead to more suffering. The last day of the Kentucky session is April 15, 2026.
If you are a Kentucky resident, write to your legislator and let them know you support HB408 and oppose HB646! If you are not a resident, share this pre-written letter with a Kentuckian who wants medical aid in dying to pass in their state!
States That Did Not Meet Crossover Deadline, but Remain Active Until End of Session
These states introduced medical aid in dying legislation but did not pass the bill out of its chamber of origin by the crossover deadline. While unlikely to advance without procedural action, the bills remain technically active until the session ends.
Arizona: The Thomas M. Dow Act (HB2569), a bill that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, was introduced and referred to the House Rules and Health and Human Services Committee. The bill did not meet the crossover deadline, leaving the bill alive only through possible amendment or rare political strategies before the session adjourns on April 25, 2026.
Iowa: The Iowa Our Care, Our Options Act (HF2262), a bill that would legalize medical aid in dying in the state, was introduced and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. Iowa’s HF2262 had a hearing scheduled in the House Health and Human Services Subcommittee on February 17. The hearing was cancelled 24 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing.
HF2262 did not meet the crossover deadline and is unlikely to move forward this year. The last day of the Iowa session is April 21, 2026.
Minnesota: The End of Life Option Act (HF2998/SF3215), bills that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, carried over to the 2026 legislative session and remained in the House Health Finance and Policy and Senate Health and Human Services Committees. The bills did not meet the crossover deadline, and the session will officially end on May 18, 2026.
Tennessee: SB640, a bill that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, carried over to the 2026 session and stayed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill did not meet the crossover deadline, and the session will officially end on April 24, 2026.
Session Ends, and Medical Aid in Dying Bill Does Not Advance
These states introduced medical aid in dying legislation this session, but the bills did not move forward before adjournment and will not advance this year.
Georgia: The Georgia Death with Dignity Act (SB610), a bill that would legalize medical aid in dying in the state, was introduced and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The session ended, and the bill did not advance.
Indiana: The End of Life Options Act (HB1011), a bill that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Public Health, but did not advance to a floor vote before the session ended. We’re thankful for the bill sponsor, Representative Matt Pierce, for introducing Death with Dignity legislation this year.
Virginia: HB886/SB359, bill that would legalize Death with Dignity in the state, were both introduced and referred to committees. HB886 was referred to the House Committee on Courts of Justice, and SB359 to the Senate Education and Health Committee. SB359 received a public hearing in the Senate Education and Health – Health Subcommittee and advanced on a 3–2 vote. The bill then received a hearing in the full Senate Education and Health Committee, but failed to report out on a 7–8 vote.
HB886 received a hearing in the House Committee on Courts of Justice and was tabled until 2027. We’re disappointed by the results in Virginia, but we’re hopeful the momentum from this session will send HB886 to the finish line in the 2027 session.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin introduced the Our Care, Our Options Act (AB1164/SB1114), bills that would legalize medical aid in dying in the state. SB1114 was read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs.
AB1164 was sent to the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care. The session ended, and the bills have not advanced.
Washington: HB1876, an amendment to Washington’s Death with Dignity Act, carried over to the 2026 legislative session. This amendment would allow exceptions to the seven-day waiting period for patients with fewer than seven days to live. In 2025, the amendment received a hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning and Human Services, but did not receive further action before the session ended in 2026.
While medical aid in dying remains legal under Washington’s existing law, changes proposed this session did not advance and would need to be revisited in 2027.
Don’t see your state listed? You can still stay informed and take meaningful action. Find out the status of your state and how you can advocate for medical aid in dying where you live. Whether it’s contacting your lawmakers, sharing your story, or connecting with local advocates, there are many ways to help move this issue forward in your state.