{"id":355806,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/death-with-dignity-laws-by-state.html"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:19:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T20:19:32","slug":"death-with-dignity-laws-by-state","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/death-with-dignity-laws-by-state.html","title":{"rendered":"‘Death With Dignity’ Laws by State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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'Death With Dignity' Laws by State <\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Death with dignity laws<\/span> are state statutes that allow mentally competent but terminally ill<\/span> adults to request and self-administer<\/span> life-ending medication<\/span> prescribed by a physician. These regulations typically require a six-month prognosis, proof of residency, and second opinions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Whether through extreme old age or terminal illness<\/span>, the final stages of a person\u2019s life can be difficult for the patient and their families. Watching a loved one<\/span> suffer through a fatal illness is excruciating for all involved. If there is nothing medically to be done, patients may wish to end their lives on their own terms.<\/p>\n

Can individuals make a conscious choice to end their own lives<\/a>? It depends on their state\u2019s laws<\/span>. Federal law does not recognize a right to physician-<\/span>assisted suicide<\/span>, protect the act of mercy killing<\/span> or\u00a0euthanasia<\/span>, or prohibit the practice altogether. The right to physician-assisted dying<\/span>, referred to as \u201cdeath with dignity,\u201d is considered a public health<\/span> matter and left to state law<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article provides an overview of dignity laws that allow terminally ill<\/span> patients<\/span> to choose when and how they die.<\/p>\n

Aid-in-Dying Terminology<\/h2>\n

The terminology used with medical aid-in-dying<\/span> laws<\/span> may vary slightly from state to state, but the intent remains the same. In all states and federal law, \u201ceuthanasia<\/span>\u201d means a doctor or third party directly administering a lethal dose of medication<\/span>. Euthanasia<\/span> is illegal, and the doctor can be charged with murder or manslaughter, even if the patient consented.<\/p>\n

All states allow patients to refuse life-preserving treatment. This is common in nursing homes and hospice care<\/span>, where patients have entered end-of-life<\/span> care<\/span> and wish to refuse heroic treatment<\/a> to prolong their lives. \u201cDo not resuscitate\u201d and \u201cdo not intubate\u201d orders help ensure that patients pass away in a dignified manner<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Medical aid in dying<\/span>, also known as \u201cphysician-assisted death<\/span>\u201d or \u201cphysician-<\/span>assisted suicide<\/span>,\u201d is legal in 12 states and the District of Columbia<\/span> as of May 2026. This is subject to change, as other states are considering expanding their existing laws. In states with aid-in-dying laws, doctors prescribe qualified patients<\/span> a lethal dose of medication<\/span>. Patients self-administer<\/span> the dose.<\/p>\n

\u201cMercy killing<\/span>\u201d is illegal in all 50 states. Taking another person\u2019s life, no matter what your intention, is considered murder and is prosecuted as such.<\/p>\n

State Death With Dignity Laws<\/span>: An Overview<\/h2>\n

In 1990, the\u00a0U.S. Supreme Court<\/span><\/a>\u00a0ruled that patients or their designated healthcare<\/span> agents may refuse life-preserving medical treatment. The vast majority of states do not allow patients to end their lives, either on their own or through the aid of a doctor.<\/p>\n

A healthcare<\/span> agent is named by a patient to make healthcare<\/span> decisions<\/span> on their behalf, usually through a\u00a0durable power of attorney<\/a>. Healthcare<\/span> agents are required to follow patients\u2019 wishes as listed in a living will or “do not resuscitate” form.<\/p>\n

While\u00a0all states allow patients to refuse treatment<\/a>, only a few allow doctors to assist in a patient\u2019s passing. Physicians are the only healthcare<\/span> professionals authorized to prescribe lethal drugs in most states.<\/p>\n

General Requirements<\/h3>\n

All states with medically\u00a0assisted dying<\/span> laws have the same general requirements. The most important of these is residency. Patients must live in the state where they plan to end their lives. They cannot travel to a state solely to access medical aid in dying<\/span>. Most states may not want terminally ill<\/span> patients<\/span> coming to their hospitals and healthcare<\/span> facilities<\/span> just to end their lives. Oregon and Vermont<\/span>, which have removed their residency requirements<\/span>, are exceptions.<\/p>\n

Other requirements for end-of-life<\/span> assistance include:<\/p>\n