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Bill > HB1328

IL HB1328

END-OF-LIFE OPTIONS ACT

summary

Introduced
01/14/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Creates the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act. Authorizes a qualified patient with a terminal disease to request that a physician prescribe aid-in-dying medication that will allow the patient to end the patient's life in a peaceful manner. Contains provisions concerning: the procedures and forms to be used to request aid-in-dying medication; the responsibilities of attending and consulting physicians; the referral of patients for determinations of mental capacity; the residency of qualified patients; the safe disposal of unused medications; the obligations of health care entities; the immunities granted for actions taken in good faith reliance upon the Act; the reporting requirements of physicians; the effect of the Act on the construction of wills, contracts, and statutes; the effect of the Act on insurance policies and annuities; the procedures for the completion of death certificates; the liabilities and penalties provided by the Act; the construction of the Act; the definitions of terms used in the Act; and other matters. Effective 6 months after becoming law.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, which allows qualified adult Illinois residents with a terminal disease to request medication that will enable them to end their life peacefully. To qualify, a patient must be an adult with mental capacity who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to result in death within six months. The process requires multiple safeguards, including two oral requests separated by at least five days, a written request, evaluations by an attending physician and a consulting physician, and potential referral to a mental health professional to assess the patient's mental capacity. The attending physician must provide comprehensive information about the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, alternative treatment options, and the risks and benefits of aid-in-dying medication. Healthcare professionals are not required to participate and can opt out, but they must provide referrals if they choose not to assist. The bill includes protections for patients and healthcare providers, ensures the medication's safe disposal, mandates confidential reporting to the Department of Public Health, and specifies that death certificates will list the underlying terminal disease as the cause of death, not the self-administered medication. The legislation explicitly states that the act does not constitute suicide or euthanasia and provides immunity for healthcare professionals acting in good faith compliance with the act's provisions.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (15)

Last Action

Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 005-000-000 (on 05/13/2025)

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