Bill

Bill > A3705


NJ A3705

NJ A3705
Waives 15 day waiting period for medical aid in dying under certain circumstances.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill waives the 15 day waiting period for medical aid in dying under certain circumstances. Under current law, in order to receive a prescription for medication that a qualified terminally ill patient may choose to self-administer pursuant to P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.), the patient is to make two oral requests and one written request for the medication to the patient's attending physician, subject to the following requirements, with at least 15 days elapsing between the first and second oral requests, and between the first oral request and the issuance of a prescription for the medication. Additionally, at least 48 hours must elapse between the receipt of the written request, which may be submitted at any time, and issuance of the prescription. This bill waives the 15-day waiting periods in the case of a patient who, based on reasonable medical certainty, is not expected to survive for 15 days. The attending physician will be required to document the medical basis for the determination that the patient is not expected to survive for 15 days. The bill retains the 48-hour waiting period between submission of a written request and the issuance of a prescription for medical aid in dying medication.

AI Summary

This bill modifies the existing law regarding medical aid in dying, which allows qualified terminally ill patients to receive a prescription for medication they can self-administer. Currently, patients must make two oral requests and one written request, with at least 15 days between the first and second oral requests, and between the first oral request and the prescription being written. This bill waives those 15-day waiting periods if a physician determines, with reasonable medical certainty, that the patient is not expected to survive for 15 days, and this determination must be documented in the patient's medical record. However, the bill retains the 48-hour waiting period between the patient's written request and the issuance of the prescription.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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