The Aid in Dying Bill, or Senate Bill 1076, has failed in the Judiciary Committee before advancing to the legislature for consideration.
The Public Health Committee had passed the medical aid in dying legislation in March, but did not make it to the Senate or House of Representatives for consideration. It would have allowed diagnosed terminally ill patients with limited remaining lifespans to voluntarily request medical assistance to end their lives.
Aid in dying legislation has been introduced several times over the past 30 years but has not made it past the committee.
"It is disappointing to see medical aid in dying will again not pass out of the Judiciary Committee, ending the legislation's consideration in Connecticut this year. I hoped the legislation would receive a thorough and meaningful debate in the House and Senate. While I understand the arguments and opposition against this bill, I also recognize that our failure to pass this bill will prevent a number of Connecticut residents from having autonomy in their end of life choices. It is not lost on me that an increasing number of family members testify in support of the legislation each year because their loved ones lose their battles with illness. I am hopeful that in the future, we can finally pass this bill and provide additional end-of-life options for those seeking them," Sen. Saud Anwar (D - South Windsor) said.
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If it passed, the bill would have applied to adults who have lived in the state for at least one year, have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with six months or less to live, have received counseling, and have voluntarily expressed a wish to receive medical aid in dying by submitting two separate written requests to their physician.
Requests could be canceled at any time. Once you're deemed qualified, the attending physician would administer the medication to the patient and they would be able to administer the medication themselves.
Aid in dying legislation has been authorized in 10 states and in Washington D.C.
