Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes physicians to prescribe "aid-in-dying drugs" to terminally ill patients.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a qualified individual, who is 18 years or older and has the capacity to make medical decisions, to request a prescription for an “aid-in-dying drug,” if the following conditions are met (Sec. 1):
• The individual’s attending physician has diagnosed the individual with a “terminal disease”;
• The individual has voluntarily expressed the wish to receive a prescription for an “aid-in-dying drug”;
• The individual is a resident of California;
• The individual documents his or her request; and
• The individual has the physical and mental ability to self-administer the “aid-in-dying drug.”

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

• Defines “aid-in-dying drug” as a drug determined and prescribed by a physician for a qualified individual, which the individual may choose to self-administer to bring about his or her death (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician, prior to prescribing an aid-in-dying drug, to confirm that the individual is making an informed decision by discussing with him or her the following topics (Sec. 1):
• The individual’s medical diagnosis and prognosis;
• The potential risks and result of ingesting the requested aid-in-dying drug;
• The possibility that the individual may choose to obtain the aid-in-dying drug but not take it; and
• The feasible alternatives or additional treatment options, including, but not limited to, comfort care, hospice care, palliative care, and pain control.

• Requires a physician to refer an individual seeking an aid-in-dying drug to another consulting physician for medical confirmation of the diagnosis and prognosis, and for a determination that the individual has the capacity to make medical decisions (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual seeking to obtain a prescription for an aid-in-dying drug to submit 2 oral requests, at least 15 days apart, and a written request to his or her attending physician (Sec. 1). 

• Requires a written request for an aid-in-dying drug to be witnessed by at least 2 other individuals over 18 years old who attest to the best of their knowledge and belief that the individual seeking the drug has the capacity to make medical decisions and is acting voluntarily (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to submit a written request in English, when the individual’s consultations or conversations with his or her physician were in a language other than English, if the request includes an interpreter’s declaration that is signed under penalty of perjury (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a health care provider from being subject to civil, criminal, administrative, employment, contractual liability or professional disciplinary action for participating in good faith compliance with the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text