MASSACHUSETTS

Assisted Suicide Not Legal; Legislation pending

2024—S 1331 / H2246 (“Massachusetts End of Life Options Act”) was reported favorably out of the Joint Committee and referred to the Senate Health Care Financing Committee which passed it on to the Senate Ways and Means Committee with a do pass recommendation. The bill is currently in the latter Committee. 

2023—Mass S 1331 and H2246 (“Massachusetts End of Life Options Act”) which would legalize assisted suicide was introduced and a public hearing was held in the Joint Committee on Public Health. The bill was carried over to the next year.

2023—Quick_Testimony in Opposition to Mass S1331, Oct 20, 2023

2021-2022—S1384 / H2381 (“Massachusetts End of Life Options Act”) introduced again and has a Joint Committee hearing. It is passed out of Committee to Senate Health Care Financing Committee, but no further action is taken.

2019-2020—S1208 and S2745/H1926 (“Massachusetts End of Life Options Act”) has a hearing in the Joint Committee on Public Health in June 2019, after which it passes out of the Committee but does not pass the legislature.

2017-2018—S1225 to legalize assisted suicide is introduced and given a public hearing in the Public Health Committee. The bill is sent for study, and no further action ensues.

2017—The Massachusetts Medical Society adopts “neutral engagement” stance on physician-assisted suicide.

2013-2016—Bills to legalize assisted suicide are introduced each year and assigned to committees, but no further action.

2012—Question 2 ballot initiative to legalize assisted suicide fails 51%–49%.