For at least the fifth consecutive legislative session, bills that would open the door to doctors prescribing lethal doses for terminally ill patients were dropped from consideration by the Public Health Committee.
Bills (H 1194/S 1225) that would have legalized medical aid in dying — sometimes referred to as doctor-assisted suicide or death with dignity — filed by Rep. Louis Kafka and Sen. Barbara L’Italien were sent to study by the Joint Committee on Public Health, effectively spelling the end of the issue for this session. The committee confirmed that both bills were sent to study.