The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and the Honorable Shane E. Pendergrass End-of-Life Option Act (SB0926/HB1328), which would authorize medical aid in dying in Maryland, was introduced in the Senate on February 4, 2025, by Senator William C. Smith. Just a few days later, on February 7, the companion bill was co-filed in the House with the support of 49 sponsors.
On March 3, the House bill (HB1328) received a hearing in the Health and Government Operations Committee, demonstrating growing legislative interest and engagement on this compassionate option. Unfortunately, the Senate continues to be a hurdle and chose not to advance the bill this session. As Senate Judicial Proceedings Chair Will Smith stated, “The votes aren’t there — not in committee and not on the floor.”
While this is disappointing, our Maryland team is committed to continuing a statewide education and outreach campaign aimed at deepening public understanding and building the support needed to pass this vital legislation in the future.
Maryland lawmakers need to hear from you today! Use our quick form to email them and share your support for end-of-life autonomy.
Partidarios se Reúnen en Apoyo a la Medida Compasiva
Supporters rally in support of compassionate legislation
The week of March 3, 2025, will be consequential—and hopefully joyful—for the movement to authorize medical aid in dying in Maryland.
A terminally ill Baltimore woman is urging her state senator for a yes vote on the End-of-Life Option Act after hearing that she opposes the bill, which she voted for in 2019, because it is only one vote short of passing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. “I cannot believe that I am hearing that my…
Seven out of 10 Maryland voters (70%) and eight out of 10 Maryland voters with a disability (79%) support the End-of-Life Option Act, a bill that would allow medical aid in dying as an option for mentally capable, terminally ill adults to peacefully end unbearable suffering, according to a new poll.
Mujer de Maryland con Enfermedad Terminal y Defensores se Unen a Patrocinadores de la Medida de Ley Para Pedir su Aprobación Defensores de mucho tiempo que apoyan la medida de ayuda médica para morir, aplaudieron el miércoles la reintroducción de la propuesta de ley con grandes esperanzas de que se apruebe este año, gracias al…
Rosalind Kipping, the inaugural Allyne Hammer co-award winner, has been an advocate for end-of-life options for decades. In the 1970s and 80s she was living in California where she became a member of Hemlock Society USA, sticking with the organization through its many iterations and ideological shifts before becoming Compassion & Choices. Rosalind has always…
Terminally Ill Maryland Woman, Advocates Join Bill Senate Sponsor, House Cosponsor to Urge Bill’s Passage A record high percentage of Maryland voters (71%), including a majority of self-described pro-choice voters (82%) and a plurality of self-described pro-life voters (49% vs. 44%), support medical aid in dying, according to a new poll by Gonzales Research & Media Services. Previous Gonzales polls…
For the past seven years, Delegate Shane Pendergrass has been the leader in the efforts to pass medical aid-in-dying legislation in Maryland, known as the Maryland Richard E. Israel and Roger “Pip” Moyer End of Life Option Act. This bill would give terminally ill Maryland residents with six months or less to live the option…
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
