Bill On Medical Aid In Dying Clears Senate Committee, But Advocates Concerned About Changes

A bill on medical aid in dying advanced from a state Senate committee on Friday, the furthest a legislative effort on the issue has gotten in several tries, but advocates say they're not happy with the changes made in the process.

The bill passed on an 8-3 vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The same measure passed the House of Delegates on Thursday, but will need to be reconciled with an amended Senate version.

Correction: bill is officially called the “End of Life Option Act” passed 8-3. https://t.co/8UGXoR2Y78 — Kate Amara (@kateamaraWBAL) March 22, 2019

Under the bill, a person suffering from a terminal illness who a doctor says has less than six months to live can obtain life-ending medication.

Sen. Robert Zirkin, who chairs the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, says added safeguards were needed to protect people.

However, advocates for the legislation say amendments make the bill practically unworkable. Those include stripping civil immunity for doctors, patients, family members and witnesses; onerous requirements on doctors; and what they say are painful barriers for patients who seek the medication, including psychological evaluations and additional witness requirements.

“The bill in its current form would create many needless hoops and roadblocks for dying patients and put doctors at risk for baseless lawsuits against them for helping dying patients relieve intolerable suffering," Kim Callinan, CEO of Compassion & Choices, said in a statement.

Gov. Larry Hogan this week told Bryan Nehman that he's undecided on the proposal, though he understands the arguments on both sides.

"It's a real difficult issue, and one that I wrestle with a lot personally, and I'm not sure how I would come down if I were put in that position," Hogan said. "It's one that if it comes to my desk... it's something I would give a lot of heartfelt and very careful consideration to."

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WBAL-TV 11 reporter Kate Amara and the Associated Press contributed to this report.