Vermont Passes Aid-in-Dying Legislation

Thank you, Compassion and Choices for sharing this news with us:

Today, an important victory for advocates of end-of-life choice. The Vermont legislature passed the Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act. The bill is similar to Oregon’s law, but reduces requirements for patients after three years, when Vermont physicians may practice aid-in-dying under professional practice standards instead of procedures adopted by the legislature.

This significant move makes Vermont:

• The first legislature in the nation to approve death with dignity.
• The first state in the East (and fourth in the nation) to affirmatively permit aid in dying.
• The first state to pass a bill that transitions to less government involvement.

After a tangled path through the Senate, the House approved the bill on the last day of the 2013 legislative session. The measure will take effect after the governor’s signature, which is expected.

This historic legislation was passed largely due to the efforts of many individuals in support of end-of-life freedom. Patient Choices Vermont has worked for ten years to see this victory. The nationwide Compassion & Choices supported their efforts in the long campaign, and commends Vermont legislators and supporters from across the country.

The legislation in Vermont demonstrates the momentum for end-of-life options that we’re seeing across the country as we embrace contemporary views on death. The efforts of organizations like Compassion & Choices’campaign in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut are sure to feel momentum from the Vermont win.