Establishes the "Death with Dignity Act"
HB 3497, the "Death with Dignity Act," allows terminally ill adults (with a disease expected to cause death within six months) to legally request medication to end their lives. It requires two physicians to confirm the diagnosis and patient competence, mandates counseling to assess decision-making, and requires a written request witnessed by two non-relatives who aren't beneficiaries or facility staff. Patients must be fully informed about their diagnosis, prognosis, risks, and alternatives like hospice care before proceeding. The bill includes a 15-day waiting period and requires the patient to self-administer the medication, emphasizing informed, voluntary decisions without coercion.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2026
Last action May 15, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 15, 2026
Committee
Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and Read First Time (H)
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Carolyn Caton
RRepublican
Co
Lilly Fuchs
DDemocratic
Co
Marty Murray
DDemocratic
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