About the New Jersey Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act

The New Jersey Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on April 12, 2019. The law authorizes the practice of medical aid in dying, in which mentally capable adults, with six months or less to live, can request a doctor’s prescription for medication that they could decide to take in their final days or weeks to end unbearable suffering and die peacefully. The law became effective on August 1, 2019.

How do I Access a Prescription?

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for medical aid in dying under New Jersey’s law, an individual must be:

An adult
Terminally ill
Given a prognosis of six months or less to live, and
Mentally capable of making their own healthcare decisions

An individual must also be:

A resident of New Jersey
Acting voluntarily, and
Capable of self-administering the medication

In addition to these eligibility requirements, those wishing to qualify for a prescription for aid-in-dying medication must follow regulatory requirements, including having at least two doctor visits for medical evaluation and discussion about the request. Therefore, it can take as little as 15 days or as long as three months for a person requesting a prescription to receive it. It’s important that people wishing to use the law talk to their doctor early to make sure they are willing to write a prescription. The following C&C fact sheets contain more comprehensive information about the new law.