Bill > A2270

This bill, titled the "Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act," establishes a legal framework for qualified terminally ill patients in New Jersey to self-administer medication to end their lives in a humane and dignified manner. A "qualified patient" is defined as a capable adult resident of New Jersey who is suffering from a "terminal disease"—an incurable and irreversible condition expected to cause death within six months—and who has made an "informed decision," meaning they understand their diagnosis, prognosis, risks, and alternatives like palliative care. The act outlines a voluntary process requiring a written request from the patient, confirmed by two physicians (an "attending physician" responsible for care and a "consulting physician" for a second opinion), and includes safeguards such as a mandatory waiting period, counseling for potential psychological impairments, and requirements for witnesses to the patient's request. It also clarifies that participating in this act does not constitute suicide or homicide, protects healthcare professionals acting in good faith from civil or criminal liability, and amends existing laws to ensure that actions taken under this act are not considered violent acts or grounds for legal action against healthcare providers, nor do they constitute suicide or assisted suicide under criminal law. The bill also addresses reporting requirements for dispensed medications and patient deaths to the Division of Consumer Affairs, and prohibits contracts or policies from restricting a person's decision to seek aid in dying.