terminally ill individuals; end-of-life decisions

HB 2243 creates Arizona's "Medical Aid in Dying" program, allowing terminally ill adults to obtain a prescription for self-administered medication to end their life. It directly affects Arizona residents with a terminal illness (expected to die within six months) who have full decision-making capacity and meet strict safeguards. Key provisions require two non-family witnesses to sign a written request, mandatory counseling to rule out depression, physician evaluations confirming the terminal diagnosis, and detailed discussions about all treatment alternatives - including hospice and palliative care - before a prescription is issued. The law prohibits physicians from administering medication and requires patients to self-ingest the medication, with all steps documented for the Department of Health Services.