Death with Dignity States 2026

Death with Dignity Laws in the United States

In the United States, laws allowing physician-assisted death—often called death with dignity, medical aid in dying, or the “right to die”—are determined at the state level. These laws allow certain terminally ill adults to request prescription medication that they may choose to self-administer to end their lives under specific legal conditions.

States differ widely in how they approach this issue. Some states have enacted laws permitting medical aid in dying, while others are considering legislation or currently have no active proposals addressing the practice.

States Where Death with Dignity Is Legal

In several U.S. states and the District of Columbia, laws allow certain terminally ill adults to obtain prescription medication that they may choose to self-administer to end their lives. These policies are often called death with dignity or medical aid in dying, and they operate under detailed legal and medical guidelines.

Although the exact procedures differ by jurisdiction, these laws generally require confirmation of a terminal illness, mental competency, and voluntary patient requests before medication can be prescribed. States that have legalized death with dignity have established regulatory frameworks intended to ensure the process is carefully controlled and limited to eligible patients. The topic is often discussed alongside broader public health issues such as suicide and end-of-life care.

States Where Legislation Is Under Consideration

In some states, lawmakers have introduced proposals that would allow medical aid in dying under specific legal conditions. These proposals typically outline eligibility requirements, medical safeguards, and procedures similar to those used in states where death with dignity laws are already in effect.

When legislation is listed as under consideration, it means bills have been introduced or discussed but have not yet become law. The status of these proposals can change from year to year as legislatures debate whether and how physician-assisted death should be regulated.

States Without Active Death with Dignity Legislation

In many U.S. states, there are currently no active legislative proposals addressing death with dignity laws. In these jurisdictions, medical aid in dying is not authorized under state law, and no bills related to the practice are presently under consideration.

Policies in this area can change over time as public attitudes, court decisions, and legislative priorities evolve. As a result, states that currently have no active legislation may introduce proposals in future legislative sessions.

When States Began Adopting Death with Dignity Laws

States differ widely in how they regulate physician-assisted death. In most states, medical aid in dying is not authorized under current law. However, ten states and the District of Columbia have adopted laws permitting the practice under specific conditions. These jurisdictions include California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Oregon was the first U.S. state to legalize medical aid in dying through its Death With Dignity Act, approved by voters in 1994 and implemented in 1997. More than a decade later, Washington adopted a similar law through the Death With Dignity Act of 2008.

Montana followed in 2009, when the state’s Supreme Court ruled that physician-assisted death could be permitted under state law. Vermont legalized the practice through the Patient Choice and Control at the End of Life Act in 2013.

Several additional states enacted legislation during the following decade. California passed the End of Life Option Act in 2015, followed by Colorado and the District of Columbia in 2016. Hawaii approved its Our Care, Our Choice Act in 2018, while Maine and New Jersey enacted laws in 2019. New Mexico most recently legalized medical aid in dying through the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act in 2021.