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.

Amendment Fails to Pass

HB1141 does not advance in the 2022 legislative session.

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.

Washington Death with Dignity Act Goes Into effect

Washington Voters Approve Death With Dignity Act, 58 to 42 percent