Bill > S1486

This bill establishes the Massachusetts End of Life Options Act, which creates a legal framework for terminally ill, mentally capable adult residents of Massachusetts to request medication that would allow them to end their own life peacefully. The bill defines detailed requirements and procedures for patients seeking "medical aid in dying," including making both oral and written requests to their attending physician, obtaining confirmation from a consulting physician that they are terminally ill, and undergoing counseling to ensure they are not suffering from mental health conditions that would impair their judgment. The legislation mandates multiple safeguards, such as requiring witnesses to the patient's written request, ensuring the patient is fully informed about their diagnosis and alternatives, and providing opportunities to rescind the request at any time. Healthcare providers are given the right to opt out of participating, and the bill explicitly states that participation does not constitute suicide or assisted suicide. The bill also requires healthcare entities to maintain records and report anonymized data about medical aid in dying requests to the Department of Public Health. Importantly, the law prohibits any coercion or forgery related to these requests and establishes criminal penalties for such actions, while emphasizing that the legislation does not authorize euthanasia or mercy killing.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1486