An Introduction to an Assisted Dying Bill and Its Provisions in Law

Getty Images A new law to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults across England and Wales was officially proposed at a House of Commons session today, giving MPs time to read up on its details before casting their vote in several weeks on whether they support its proposals. If enough members vote “yes”, the bill will proceed into committee for further review and scrutiny. Before it could become law, further debate and votes in both houses of Parliament would need to take place, taking years. Under this proposed bill – The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – it would become legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to seek assistance to end their lives on their own terms. Doctors would also not be under any legal obligations to assist the assisted dying process or perform voluntary euthanasia; these treatments involve health professionals administering drugs directly to a patient. What are the rules elsewhere in the UK/world/US state Oregon legalised assisted dying for terminally ill adults with six months or less to live, followed by California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana New Mexico New Jersey Vermont Washington D C and more states considering legalising assisted death – with Oregon leading by example! Switzerland has permitted assisted suicide since 1942 and opened their Dignitas facility in 1998, while Canada allows assisted dying for terminally ill adults but has postponed expanding it to people with mental illnesses. Some countries allow teenagers to commit suicide under certain circumstances – in the Netherlands for instance this legal act allows minors aged 12-16 years to seek it, although their parental approval must still be obtained before seeking such measures.