Assisted Suicide Updates

Resources for Opposing Assisted Suicide

Legislating Assisted Suicide

Currently 13 jurisdictions in the United States allow for assisted suicide.  Last year, New York passed a bill legalizing assisted suicide that will go into effect on August 5, 2026, making that 14 jurisdictions that allow for assisted suicide.

In 2026, a much fewer number of states introduced legislation to either legalize or expand assisted suicide, versus more than 20 states in 2025 that were engaged in this issue and four of those states passed their legislation.  For an update of the states with legislation on assisted suicide, click here.

Massachusetts is top on the list of states to watch in 2026.  Their assisted suicide bill has been carried over from last year in the legislature. It is the exact same bill as last year and can proceed forward during this second year of the legislative session. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference points out that there are “no real safeguards” and that “a vulnerable individual who is physically disabled, depressed, or fears being a ‘burden’ may be subject to undue influence by others to take the drug mixture, especially if there is a financial benefit as an incentive.” The bill is being closely monitored to see what legislative action develops regarding the bill.

2025

Assisted suicide was legal in California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington as well as in the District of Columbia.  Montana allows for a defense against criminal liability regarding assisted suicide, that consent could be used as a defense according to a decision by the state Supreme Court.

Several states introduced legislation to either legalize or expand assisted suicide in their jurisdiction.  During the year, three states, Delaware, Illinois, and New York succeeded in passing laws instituting assisted suicide and California expanded their law by repealing the expiration date on the law that was passed.

Click on your state for more information.

States that passed their assisted suicide legislation

The states below introduced legislation on assisted suicide but did not pass it in the 2025 session.