Massachusetts
CURRENT STATUS: Pending Bills
Legislation in Massachusetts Needs Your Support
Adults with terminal illness should have the right to end their lives peacefully, in a dignified way, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Send this letter to your Massachusetts Representative and Senator urging them to support death with dignity legislation.
Massachusetts
Timeline of Death with Dignity in Massachusetts
2021
2021
Now: Committee Hearing
On Friday, October 1, dozens of Death with Dignity supporters spoke in favor of the bill at a Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health hearing. We are now awaiting committee assignment of the bill, and next steps for our advocacy.
March: Bill Reintroduced
The Massachusetts End of Life Options Act (H.2381/S.1384) is reintroduced for the 2021 legislative session. The bill is sponsored by a total of 67 members of the Massachusetts Legislature (20 Senators, 47 Representatives).
2020
2020
Legislation Advances
S.1208/H.1926, the Massachusetts End of Life Options Act, advanced from the Joint Committee on Public Health on May 29, 2020, but did not pass during the 2020 legislative session, despite overwhelming public support.
2018
2018
Bills sent to study
The 2017-2018 session was the eighth time a death with dignity bill came up for consideration in the Massachusetts legislature. A hearing was held, and the bills were sent to study, effectively ending their chances of passage in the 2018 session.
2017
2017
Endorsement from the Massachusetts Medical Society
In December 2017, the Massachusetts Medical Society rescinds its opposition to “physician assisted suicide” and adopted a position of “neutral engagement” on the issue.
2013 – 2016
2013 – 2016
Four bills are launched
In four consecutive legislative sessions, similar bills are introduced in an effort to advance death with dignity in Massachusetts. None of them move out of committee.
2012
2012
Despite public support, Massachusetts ballot initiative fails
Death with Dignity National Center campaigned in Massachusetts for Question 2, a ballot initiative to pass a death with dignity bill. While polls showed 58 percent of commonwealth residents supported Question 2, the measure narrowly lost (51 to 49 percent) against a flood of spending by the opposition.