Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to request a prescription for an “aid-in-dying drug” if he or she meets certain conditions including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The individual is a resident of California and at least 18 years old;
• The individual’s attending physician diagnoses the individual with a “terminal disease;” 
• The individual voluntarily expresses the wish to receive the drug; and
• The individual has the physical and mental ability to self-administer the drug. 

• Defines “aid-in-dying drug” as a drug prescribed by a physician for an individual, which he or she self-administers to bring about his or her death due to a terminal disease (Sec. 1).

• Defines “terminal disease” as an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will result in death within 6 months (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits anyone other than the diagnosed individual from making a request for aid-in-dying drugs (Sec. 1). 

• Requires an individual requesting aid-in-dying drugs to submit to a physician 2 oral requests no more than 15 days apart and a written request signed in the presence of 2 witnesses (Sec. 1).

• Requires the individual’s physician and a consulting physician to perform certain actions before prescribing an aid-in-dying drug, including, but not limited to, the following actions (Sec. 1):
• The physician examines the individual and his or her relevant medical records;
• The physician confirms, in writing, the diagnosis and prognosis; and
• The physician refers the individual to a mental health assessment, if there are indications of a mental disorder.

• Classifies the act of “knowingly coercing” an individual to request an aid-in-dying drug or to destroy a withdrawal of a request as a felony (Sec. 1).  

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a physician to prescribe aid-in-dying drugs to a terminally ill individual.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an individual to request a prescription for an “aid-in-dying drug” if he or she meets certain conditions including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The individual is a resident of California and at least 18 years old;
• The individual’s attending physician diagnoses the individual with a “terminal disease;” 
• The individual voluntarily expresses the wish to receive the drug; and
• The individual has the physical and mental ability to self-administer the drug. 

• Defines “aid-in-dying drug” as a drug prescribed by a physician for an individual, which he or she self-administers to bring about his or her death due to a terminal disease (Sec. 1).

• Defines “terminal disease” as an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will result in death within 6 months (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits anyone other than the diagnosed individual from making a request for aid-in-dying drugs (Sec. 1). 

• Requires an individual requesting aid-in-dying drugs to submit to a physician 2 oral requests no more than 15 days apart and a written request signed in the presence of 2 witnesses (Sec. 1).

• Requires the individual’s physician and a consulting physician to perform certain actions before prescribing an aid-in-dying drug, including, but not limited to, the following actions (Sec. 1):
• The physician examines the individual and his or her relevant medical records;
• The physician confirms, in writing, the diagnosis and prognosis; and
• The physician refers the individual to a mental health assessment, if there are indications of a mental disorder.

• Classifies the act of “knowingly coercing” an individual to request an aid-in-dying drug or to destroy a withdrawal of a request as a felony (Sec. 1).  

Full Bill Text