Montana

Status of Medical Aid in Dying

Medical aid in dying was authorized in Montana when the state Supreme Court found in 2009 that “[The] Rights of the Terminally Ill Act clearly provides that terminally ill patients are entitled to autonomous end-of-life decisions.” Compassion & Choices litigated this case.

On February 21, HB 637 was introduced to codify medical aid in dying in Montana.  The bill was heard on Wednesday, February 26 at 7 am MT in the House Judiciary Committee, but failed to advance. This was the first bill introduced to codify medical aid in dying since 2011. We’re grateful to Representatives Darling, Strand, Griffith, Cunningham, Tilleman, Carter, Cohenour, Howell, Nikolakakos, Thane, Marler, and Lynch for introducing this compassionate legislation to try to change the conversation about medical aid in dying in Helena.

The Montana House voted 42-58 against SB 136, the bill that would have criminalized medical aid in dying, and stripped away this compassionate right in Montana on April 9, 2025. Medical aid in dying remains legal and accessible in the Big Sky state.
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URGENT: End-of-life options are under attack in Montana. Please urge your lawmakers to vote NO on the Physician Imprisonment Act!

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Montana Stories

Latest Montana News

Comité del Senado Aprueba Medida para Remover Libertades para Fin de Vida a Residentes de Montana y Encarcelar a Médicos
February 4, 2025

 SB136  Podría Criminalizar a Médicos por Brindar a Pacientes Opción Para Muerte Pacífica Después de una emotiva audiencia del jueves, el Montana Senate Judiciary Committee votó hoy para avanzar el Physician Imprisonment Act (SB 136) o  Medida de Encarcelamiento a Médicos, que criminaliza la práctica de ayuda médica para morir en el estado. A pesar…

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Updated Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying State Packets
August 7, 2024

Our Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying state packets help explain the medical aid in dying process in jurisdictions where it is authorized*. Compassion & Choices updated the packets to be the most comprehensive resource for those wanting to understand or use medical aid-in-dying laws.

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Toma de Decisiones de Cuidados de Fin de Vida Se Ven Amenazadas en el Caso de Montana Que Prohíbe Cuidados Médicos a Personas Transgénero, Advierte Informe
April 22, 2024

 Compassion & Choices presentó un amicus brief  o escrito amicus curiae ante la Corte Suprema de Montana, afirmando que una ley estatal que prohíbe ciertos tratamientos médicos para transgéneros menores de edad, puede amenazar los derechos de privacidad para tomar decisiones médicas en cada etapa de la vida, incluyendo el fin de vida. Un tribunal…

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Announcing Allyne Hammer Excellence in Advocacy Award Winner Doris Fischer
September 26, 2023

This year, Compassion & Choices honors Doris Fischer, the co-winner of the inaugural Allyne Hammer Award. For 16 dedicated years, Doris has volunteered with Compassion & Choices, leaving an indelible mark in Montana. Medical aid in dying was authorized in Montana by court ruling in 2009, with Doris participating in the efforts to keep it…

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MT Senate Praised for Rejecting Physician Imprisonment Act Opposed by 88% of Voters
February 2, 2023

Montanans representing 88% of state voters who oppose legislation that would subject physicians to homicide charges if they provided medical aid in dying to terminally ill adults who requested it, praised the state Senate for rejecting the bill, SB 210, in a 24-26 vote Wednesday. Homicide is a felony crime that in Montana carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison…

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I show up to make it harder for them to pass me over when I tell my story.
March 29, 2021

My dad Bob was terminally ill with chronic lymphocytic leukemia when he became the lead plaintiff in the 2009 Baxter ruling, which authorized aid in dying in Montana. He wanted to decide when he had endured enough suffering and wanted the option to die peacefully at home. He continued the effort, even when he realized the decision…

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