Bill > HB2188

This bill establishes the "Marilyn Teitelbaum Death with Dignity Act", which creates a legal framework for terminally ill adult residents of Missouri to request medication that would allow them to end their own life in a humane and dignified manner. The legislation provides comprehensive guidelines for the process, including strict requirements for patient competency, informed consent, and multiple physician consultations. Patients must be adults with a terminal disease (defined as an incurable illness expected to cause death within six months), make multiple oral and written requests, undergo counseling to ensure they are not suffering from impaired judgment, and have the mental capacity to make an informed decision. The bill mandates detailed medical documentation, protects healthcare providers from liability when acting in good faith, allows healthcare facilities to establish policies about participation, and requires the state health department to collect and report anonymous statistical data. Importantly, the legislation explicitly states that these actions do not constitute suicide or assisted suicide, but rather represent a medical option for terminally ill patients to control the manner and timing of their death, with multiple safeguards to prevent coercion or hasty decisions.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2188&year=2026&code=R