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Montana committee hears bill to codify medical aid-in-dying with safeguards
Summary
Lawmakers heard hours of testimony for and against House Bill 637, which would create a statutory framework for medical aid in dying for terminally ill, capacitated adults; proponents stressed patient choice and provider protections, opponents warned of suicide policy conflicts and potential risks to vulnerable people.
Representative Julie Darling, sponsor of House Bill 637, opened the Judiciary Committee hearing by describing the bill as the "Montana Patient and Physician Protections and Care Act," a statute to provide a clear framework allowing medical aid in dying for patients with terminal illness who meet specified criteria.
The bill’s core eligibility requirements, as presented by Representative Julie Darling, include a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less to live, decisional capacity, two verbal requests separated by a waiting period (48 hours under the draft), the ability to self-administer, adult age (18+), documented discussion of alternatives including hospice and palliative care, and reporting and witness rules for the request. Darling emphasized that participation is voluntary for both providers and facilities.
Why it matters: Montana has had medical aid-in-dying practice recognized by the courts since…
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