California

Status of Medical Aid in Dying

The California End of Life Option Act went into effect on June 9, 2016. This compassionate option allows for an eligible terminally ill adult, with a prognosis of six months or less to live, to request and receive a prescription form their doctor that they can self-ingest to peacefully end their suffering.

An improvement bill, SB 380, took effect in 2022. The Department of Public Health’s annual data report showed there was a 47% increase in Californians who used the law in 2022, increasing access to the law exactly as intended.

We will continue to work on reauthorizing this law, removing the sunset provision, and reducing barriers to access while ensuring safeguards remain intact.

The CDSS issued a notice to adult and senior care facilities about the End of Life Option Act. Residents who qualify for medical aid in dying living in assisted facilities and other adult or senior care facilities are able to take their medication in their home and can’t be evicted for choosing this option.

Write Your Legislator

We need to make it clear to lawmakers: people deserve options at the end of life. Click here to contact your lawmaker today.
Find Your Legislators

Sign Up To Volunteer

Volunteers are crucial to our work. Make an impact on your community and be an agent of change as a Compassion & Choices volunteer.
Sign Up Now

Compassion & Choices Events

Connect with Us
Browse our upcoming events nationwide and in your area.

Access California's form at CaringInfo

Find free advance directives and instructions for each state that can be opened as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file
Get Started

Additional Information

Schedule a Presentation: We’ll explain the full range of end-of-life options and explain step-by-step how the law works – in English and in Spanish.

Find resources in Spanish

Visit our End-of-Life Resource Center

California Stories

Latest California News

Pacientes, Médicos de California Piden Intervenir en Demanda Federal para Defender Acceso a la Ayuda Médica para Morir
November 1, 2023

Tres pacientes con discapacidades de California y dos médicos de California presentaron el  jueves una moción solicitando intervenir en una demanda federal, alegando que el End of Life Option Act o la actualizada Ley de Opción para el Fin de Vida del estado, discrimina a las personas con discapacidades. También presentaron una moción para desestimar…

Read More
California Patients, Doctors Request to Intervene in Federal Lawsuit to Defend Access to Medical Aid in Dying
September 22, 2023

Three California patients with disabilities and two California doctors filed a motion Thursday requesting to intervene in a federal lawsuit claiming the state’s revised End of Life Option Act discriminates against people with disabilities. They also filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Their motions are posted at: bit.ly/CAFedDisabilityLawsuitOpposingMotions The state official defendants filed two separate motions in…

Read More
Compassion & Choices Disappointed by Settlement of Lawsuit Challenging California Medical Aid-in-Dying Law
June 21, 2023

Compassion & Choices is disappointed about the terms of the settlement of a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California’s revised medical-aid-in-dying law and the resulting permanent injunction issued by the court. The plaintiffs in this case, Christian Medical & Dental Associations v. Bonta, claim that the amended California End of Life Option Act, Senate Bill 380, forces them to…

Read More
Compassion & Choices Action Network Refuta Demanda Federal de Grupos de Defensa de Derechos Para Discapacitados que Intenta Invalidar Ley de Ayuda Médica para Morir de California
May 17, 2023

Compassion & & Choices Action Network rechaza enérgicamente los argumentos de varios grupos de defensa para personas con discapacidades  y dos personas con discapacidades que el miércoles presentaron una demanda federal en el Distrito Central de California contra funcionarios de California, para impugnar el End of Life Option Act o Ley de Opción de Fin…

Read More
Compassion & Choices
8156 S Wadsworth Blvd #E-162
Littleton, CO 80128

Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750

candid seal platinum 2024