Both Bills Receive Public Hearing, but Don’t Advance

• The session ends and the bills do not advance.
• Both bills receive public hearings in March.
• In February, Maryland introduces 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.

Bill Set Aside Because of COVID-19

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

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

Bill Passes Out of House, But Stalled

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.

Majority of Marylanders want Death with Dignity

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

Public Hearing, but No Votes

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. 

Maryland’s physicians favor aid in dying

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, HB 404 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.

Bills Referred to Study

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. Study hearings are held in the fall. A Goucher poll shows 60 percent of Marylanders support the legislation.

Maryland Introduces Aid-in-Dying Bills

Maryland considers physician-assisted death legislation in 1995 with H 933 and again in 1996 with HB474, Physician Aid in Dying.