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Personal stories help people understand the importance of Death with Dignity legislation, and how it's being enacted.
Washington
CURRENT STATUS: Legal
Protect end-of-life freedom in Washington
Washington’s Death with Dignity Act ensures that terminally ill patients have the right to a peaceful death on their own terms — but we must stay vigilant to protect this hard-won right.
Three Ways You Can Take Action
- Share your story. If you are living with a terminal illness, lost someone you love, or believe deeply in personal autonomy and dignity at the end of life, your voice matters.
- Learn how you can advocate for Death with Dignity in Washington.
- Learn about the law and stay informed on legislative updates.
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Join the movement! Sign the petition to support Death with Dignity.
Sign the petition. Together, we can fight to ensure that people with terminal illness can decide how and when to die on their own terms.
Washington
About
The Washington Death with Dignity Act went into effect on March 5, 2009.
Resources
Our Partner: End of Life Washington
Timeline of Death with Dignity in Washington
2026
2026
Session Ends and Bills Do Not Advance
HB1876, an amendment to the Washington Death with Dignity Act, carries over into the 2026 session. The session ends and the bill does not advance.
2025
2025
Bills Will Carry Over to 2026 Session
Current Status: HB1876 had a hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning. No vote took place. The bill misses the crossover deadline and the bill does not advance.
What Happens Next? HB1876
will carry over into the 2026 legislative session.
This amendment would:
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- Allow exceptions to 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.
- Clarify that physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses serving as attending or consulting providers cannot have a direct supervisory relationship with each other.
2023
2023
SB5179 Signed into Law
On April 6, Governor Jay Inslee signs SB 5179 into law. This amendment increases access to the Death with Dignity Act. The law goes into effect July 23, 2023.
The following changes include:
- Qualified medical providers, which includes Physician Assistants & Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP), are permitted to prescribe medical aid-in-dying medications.
- The new bill reduces the 15-day waiting period between the required two oral requests to seven days.
- Healthcare systems and hospices will now have to post their aid-in-dying policies. Allows more equitable access for underserved folks, including BIPOC and people in rural areas.
2022
2022
Amendment Fails to Pass
HB1141 does not advance in the 2022 legislative session.
2021
2021
Amendment Stalls in Legislature
Lawmakers introduce an amendment, Increasing Access to the Death with Dignity Act, HB1141, on January 12. The bill successfully navigates house committee and floor votes before stalling.
2009
2009
Washington Death with Dignity Act Goes Into effect
2008
2008
Washington Voters Approve Death With Dignity Act, 58 to 42 percent
