Skip to content Back ABOUT ABOUT US OUR HISTORY RESOURCES ENGLISH ESPAOL THE LIFE FILE TAKE ACTION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS facebook twitter instagram OUR HISTORY The Death with Dignity movement gained national momentum in the 1990s. Since then, 10 jurisdictions have passed Death with Dignity legislation, and many states are continuing to fight for Death with Dignity each year. 2023 Residency Requirements Struck Down In response to lawsuits filed against the state, both Oregon and Vermont approved legislation to strike down their state's residency requirements, becoming the first two states in the nation to allow non-resident patients to utilize their Death with Dignity laws.

In addition, amendments are passed in Washington, New Mexico, and Hawai'i to expand access to medical aid in dying. In Nevada, Governor Joe Lombardo became the first Governor in history to veto legislation that would legalize medical aid in dying.

Along with the amended states, 16 states introduce aid-in-dying legislation. 2022 California and Vermont Pass Amendments to Aid in Dying Laws California SB310 goes into effect, amending the California End of Life Option Act, adding important changes to improve patient access. Vermont passes an amendment that removes the 48-hour waiting period, and expands access to telehealth visits.

Hawai'i and Washington attempt to pass amendments to their Death with Dignity laws, but are unsuccessful.

15 additional states introduce aid-in-dying legislation. 2021 New Mexico Passes Death with Dignity Law New Mexico passes the Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act, the 10th jurisdiction to enact a Death with Dignity law. The law goes into effect on June 18. 2019 New Jersey and Maine Pass Aid in Dying Laws Hawai'i enacts the Our Care, Our Choice Act on January 1.

New Jersey passes the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, the eighth jurisdiction to enact a Death with Dignity law. The law takes effect on August 1.

Maine passes the Death with Dignity Act, the ninth jurisdiction to enact a Death with Dignity law. The law takes effect September 19. Opponents of Maine's Death with Dignity law fail to collect enough signatures to overturn it. 2018 Hawai'i Passes Our Care, Our Choice Act Hawai'i passes the Our Care, Our Choice Act and becomes the seventh jurisdiction to pass a Death with Dignity law.

In May, the California End of Life Option Act is suspended for three weeks following a district court ruling. 2017 Washington D.C. Passes Aid in Dying Law The D.C. Death with Dignity Act goes into effect on February 17, making it the sixth jurisdiction to pass medical aid-in-dying legislation. 2016 65% of Coloradans Vote Yes Colorado voters pass Proposition 106, the End of Life Options Act, by 65 to 35 percent. The law goes into effect on December 16. This is the fifth jurisdiction to pass a Death with Dignity law.

2015 California Passes the End of Life Option Act 25 states and Washington, D.C. consider Death with Dignity bills. The California legislature passes the End of Life Option Act, the fourth jurisdiction to pass a Death with Dignity law. The California law takes effect on June 9, 2016. 2013 Vermont Passes the Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act On May 20, Vermont becomes the third U.S. jurisdiction with a Death with Dignity law, the first law to pass by legislative action. 2009 Washington Implements Aid in Dying Law The Washington Death with Dignity Act goes into effect on March 5, the second state to pass Death with Dignity legislation. 2008 Washington Voters Win Washington voters pass ballot initiative I-1000, the Washington Death with Dignity Act, by a margin of 51 to 49 percent. 2006 Oregon Law Upheld in Supreme Court The U.S. Supreme Court votes 6 to 3 to uphold Oregon's Death with Dignity law on the grounds that states do not control lethal drugs. Three states introduce Death with Dignity bills: Arizona, Rhode Island, and Washington. 2005 Vermont and California Introduce Legislation The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear the Attorney General's case against the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. The Vermont Death with Dignity Act and California Compassionate Choices Act are introduced. 1998 First Year of Oregon Implementation The Oregon Health Services Commission determines Death with Dignity medications may be covered by state funds under the Oregon Health Plan. In the first year of implementation, 16 Oregonians die taking the medication prescribed under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. 1997 Oregon Voters Win The Oregon Death with Dignity Act takes effect on October 27 after attorneys from Death with Dignity successfully argue in front of the Ninth Circuit Court to overturn an injunction against implementation. The Act serves as the first-of-its kind legislation in the world, allowing patients with terminal illness in Oregon the right to assisted dying. 1996 Highest Public Poll for Aid in Dying An updated Gallup poll shows 75% of respondents favor Death with Dignity legislation, the highest support on record. 1995 Oregon Legal Battle Continues The Oregon Death with Dignity Legal Defense and Education Center is founded to defend Ballot Measure 16. U.S. District Judge Hogan rules that Oregon Measure 16 is unconstitutional on grounds it violates the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution. 1994 First Death with Dignity Law in the United States Oregon voters approve Measure 16, a Death with Dignity Act ballot initiative. U.S. District Court Judge Hogan issues a temporary restraining order against Oregon's Measure 16, following with an injunction to bar the state from putting the law into effect. 1993 Oregon Right to Die Forms Oregon Right to Die is formed, and they begin working on the state's third assisted-dying bill, which becomes a template for other states. A Harris poll shows 73% of respondents are in favor of Death with Dignity. 1992 California Introduces Ballot Initiative California introduces the California Death with Dignity Act, Proposition 161, on the state ballot. 1991 Strong Public Support for Aid in Dying Washington Initiative 119, the first voter referendum concerning Death with Dignity, is filed and Oregon introduces a second assisted-dying bill. A Gallup poll shows 65% of Americans support physician-assisted dying. 1989 The Early Years 1. What is the Death with Dignity Act of Oregon and how was it able to pass?

2. What tactics were most critical in passing Washington State's Death with Dignity Act in your view? What do you think about the use of voter ballot initiatives in changing the laws of a state versus laws that get passed by a state legislature? (pros and cons of this approach)