This Legislation Improves the California End of Life Option Act and takes effect on January 1, 2022:
The End of Life Option Act took effect on June 9, 2016. Under the law, terminally ill, mentally capable adults with 6 months or less to live are able to request aid-in-dying medication which they can then choose to self-ingest. The law gives eligible patients the option of medical aid in dying to peacefully end their suffering.
SB 380, taking effect January 1, 2022, improves the California End of Life Option Act so that more eligible Californians are able to access the law. Key improvements include:
- Shorten the waiting period to 48 hours.
- Improve transparency of healthcare facility policies by requiring them to post their medical aid in dying policies on their websites.
- Remove the redundant fourth request for medical aid in dying (referred to as the final attestation).
- Clarify that medical providers should document and date requests for medical aid in dying, which can be referenced should a patient choose to transfer care.
- Clarify that medical aid in dying medication may be self-administered within a healthcare facility.
Additional Information About the Bill:
Bill Authors:
Senator Susan Talamantes-Eggman
Assemblymember Jim Wood
Bill Co-Authors:
Sen. Hertzberg
Sen. Laird
Sen. Weiner
Asm. Jim Cooper
Asm. Cecilia Aquiar-Curry
Asm. Rob Bonta
Asm. Jim Frazier
Asm. Christina Garcia
Asm. Luz Rivas
Asm. Autumn Burke
Asm. Wendy Carrillo
