Bill > LD613

This bill amends the Maine Death with Dignity Act to modify the process for terminally ill patients seeking medication to end their life. The bill changes the existing waiting period requirements, now mandating two oral requests from the patient that must be at least 15 days apart, along with a written request. The written request must be signed no earlier than 15 days after the initial oral request, and at least 48 hours must pass between signing the written request and the physician writing the prescription. Notably, the bill introduces flexibility by allowing physicians to waive a portion of these waiting periods if, in their medical opinion, it is in the patient's best interest, provided that the total waiting period is no less than 7 days. The bill also requires physicians to document the reason for any waiting period waiver and to offer the patient an opportunity to rescind their request during the second oral consultation. These changes aim to provide more personalized and compassionate access to end-of-life options for qualified patients while maintaining safeguards to ensure the patient's true intent is respected.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=613&snum=132