Rhode Island Bill Summary

Both of these bills allow:

a terminally ill, mentally capable adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live the option to request, obtain and take medication — should they choose — to die peacefully in their sleep if their suffering becomes unbearable.

The bill is modeled after legislation in authorized jurisdictions, including the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, which has been in practice for 25 years without a single instance of abuse or coercion.

Eligibility Criteria

Just like the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, to be eligible, a person must be:

An adult, aged 18 or older
Terminally ill with a prognosis of 6 months or less to live
Mentally capable and making an informed healthcare decision

Individuals are not eligible for medical aid in dying because of age or disability.

Key Provisions

The individual must be able to self-administer the medication.
Two healthcare providers must confirm that the person is terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less to live, mentally capable, and not being coerced.
A terminally ill person can withdraw their request for medication, not take the medication once they have it, or otherwise change their mind at any point.
The healthcare provider must inform the requesting individual about all of their end-of-life care options, including comfort care, hospice and pain control.
There is a mandatory mental health evaluation if either healthcare provider has concerns about the patient’s capacity to make an informed health care decision; the prescription cannot be written until the mental health provider confirms capacity.
Healthcare providers who participate and comply with all aspects of the law are given civil and criminal immunity.
Life insurance payments cannot be denied to the families of those who use the law.
No physician, health provider or pharmacist is required to participate.
Unused medication must be disposed of according to the guidelines developed by the department of health.

Additional Regulatory Requirements

The individual must make two separate requests for the medication, with a 15-day waiting period between the first and second request.
A written request is also required. Two people must witness the written request, one of whom cannot be a relative or someone who stands to benefit from the person’s estate.
Prescribing physicians must comply with medical-record documentation requirements.