Bill > HB254

This bill establishes the New Hampshire End of Life Freedom Act, which creates a comprehensive legal framework for medical aid in dying for terminally ill adults. The legislation allows qualified individuals (defined as mentally capable adults with a terminal condition and prognosis of 6 months or less to live) to request medical aid-in-dying medications from health care providers. To qualify, patients must make a voluntary, informed request, undergo evaluation by both an attending and consulting health care provider, demonstrate mental capacity, and be able to self-administer the medication. The bill includes extensive safeguards, such as a 48-hour waiting period, requirements for patient education, and mandatory reporting of medication prescriptions. Healthcare providers and entities are protected from criminal or civil liability when participating in good faith, and they can also choose to opt out of providing aid in dying based on conscience. The bill explicitly prohibits euthanasia, mercy killing, or involuntary administration of medications, and ensures that death certificates will list the underlying terminal condition rather than the medication use. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to provide terminally ill patients with a dignified option to end their life peacefully under strict medical supervision.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0316&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB254