Massachusetts 194th General Court Status: Introduced 1 D cosponsors

H2505 — An Act relative to end of life options

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

An Act relative to end of life options

Bill Text

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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes the Massachusetts End of Life Options Act, allowing qualified patients to obtain medication for medical aid in dying.

  • Chapter 201

    CHAPTER 201G. MASSACHUSETTS END OF LIFE OPTIONS ACT

    Creates a new chapter in the General Laws pertaining to end-of-life options.

  • Section 1. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "Adult", "Attending physician", "Consulting physician", "Counseling", "Guardian", "Health care entity", "Health care provider", "Incapacitated person", "Informed decision", "Licensed mental health care professional", "Medical aid in dying", "Medically confirmed", "Medical aid in dying medication", "Mentally capable", "Palliative care", "Patient", "Physician", "Qualified patient", "Resident", "Self-administer", "Terminally ill".

    Defines key terms used within the new chapter regarding medical aid in dying.

  • Chapter 201

    Section 2. (a) A patient wishing to receive a prescription for medication under this chapter shall make an oral request to the patient's attending physician. The patient shall also submit a written request to the patient's attending physician in substantially the form set in section 4 no less than 15 days after making the oral request. ... (d) A patient shall not qualify under this chapter if the patient has a guardian. ... (e) A patient shall not qualify under this chapter solely because of age or disability.

    Outlines the process for requesting medical aid in dying, specifying conditions for eligibility.

  • Section 3. (a) A valid written request must be witnessed by at least 2 individuals who, in the presence of the patient, attest that to the best of their knowledge and belief that patient is: ... (c) The patient's attending physician at the time the request is signed shall not serve as a witness.

    Establishes requirements for witnessing written requests for medical aid in dying.

  • Section 4. A written request and witness declaration under section 2 shall substantially take the following form: ...

    Provides a standardized form for patients to request medical aid in dying.

  • Section 5. (a) A qualified patient may at any time rescind the request for medication under this chapter without regard to the qualified patient's mental state.

    Allows patients to withdraw their request for medical aid in dying at any time.

  • Section 6. (a) The attending physician shall: ... (5) ensure that sections 6 through 8, inclusive, are followed; ...

    Details the responsibilities of the attending physician in the medical aid in dying process.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 203 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (203)

203 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights healthcare
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does H2505 do?
An Act relative to end of life options
Who sponsors H2505?
H2505 is sponsored by James J. O'Day (Democrat).
What is the current status of H2505?
This bill died with 194th General Court. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track H2505?
Track H2505 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

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