The “End-of-Life Options Act” (HB 1328/SB 926) would have legalized assisted suicide in the state. Like most assisted suicide legislation, this bill had potential to target patients with disabilities and treatable illnesses to become victims of those who are considered health care professionals. There were many reasons to oppose this bill, one of which is that it did not have a residency requirement, meaning that people could come from out of state to die. In the House, HB 1328 was referred to the Health and Government Operations and Judiciary Committees. A hearing was scheduled for Health and Government Operations for March 3. In the Senate, SB 926 was referred to the Judicial Proceedings Committee and a hearing was scheduled for March 5, then postponed to March 11 and as of March 10, the hearing was cancelled indefinitely.
As of April 7, the last day of the General Assembly session, this legislation is dead. Thanks to all those who contacted the representatives to oppose this bill.
