Illinois

The Illinois Senate passed an assisted suicide bill (SB 1950) at 3am on October 31. The bill, which failed to pass as a solo bill in May, was hidden in the middle of a “Sanitary Food Preparation” bill. The bill had already passed the Illinois House, meaning it now moves to the desk of Governor JB Pritzker to either be passed into law or vetoed.

New York

New York’s assisted suicide bill (A.136/S.138) has still not received any action from Governor Kathy Hochul since passing the New York Senate on June 9. However, Governor Hochul publicly addressed the bill for the first time stating, “As governor we’re all products of our own circumstances and life influences, but I have to be very careful not to allow that to color my decision making when I’m making a decision not for myself but for 20 million New Yorkers.” New York’s proposed bill remains the most radical piece of PAS legislation to be passed in the United States, lacking a residency requirement and waiting period.

Massachusetts

On October 14, Massachusetts assisted suicide bill (S1486) was “reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing.” Though limited action has been taken on assisted suicide in Massachusetts since the bill’s introduction at the beginning of the year, it still remains a real threat in Massachusetts, one of the best states for end-of-life care.