Advocacy in Action

Compassion & Choices continues leading efforts to authorize, implement and defend medical aid in dying throughout America so people in every state can access the full range of end-of-life options. So far, we have succeeded in authorizing medical aid in dying in 11 jurisdictions: California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Compassion & Choices currently leads or supports campaigns in 18 states. This means a state director and staff on the ground bringing lobbying, media, marketing and legal expertise to rally lawmakers and support thousands of volunteers in getting bills passed. Our work is entirely donor-funded.

Legislative Session Overview

(Last updated April 5, 2024)

Medical aid in dying has been introduced in 18 states:

• Nine states have legislation that carried over from the previous year —
  • Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wisconsin.
• Ten states introduced new legislation —
  • Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia.
• Two states have introduced bills to improve their existing medical aid-in-dying laws:
  • New Jersey, Colorado.

Medical aid in dying is under attack in three states:

• California, litigation.
• New Jersey, litigation and legislation.
• Washington, litigation.

Updates This Week

Week ending April 26, 2024

Delaware

C&C/CCAN has worked very closely with Rep. Baumbach for multiple years. Last week, HB140 was voted out of the House 21-16. This is the first time a medical aid-in-dying bill has passed the House in the Delaware campaign’s nine years. The bill was referred to the Senate Executive Committee, and we will continue our work in the state.

New Hampshire

C&C/CCAN staff and advocates testified in support of HB1283 at the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Hearing. We anticipate a vote in the next few weeks.

Find the Latest Updates in Your State

Use the dropdown button below to find updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved in your state.