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House Judiciary hears hours of testimony as lawmakers consider clarifying law on physician-assisted suicide (SB 136)
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee heard hours of testimony on SB 136, which would make it a crime for physicians to prescribe lethal medication to end a patient’s life; proponents argued the bill closes a legal loophole left by Baxter v. Montana, while opponents — including patients, hospice workers and medical professionals — said criminalizing doctors would strip a needed end-of-life option and harm vulnerable patients.
Bill: Senate Bill 136 — would clarify that Montana law prohibits physicians from deliberately prescribing medication with the intent of causing a patient’s death.
Sponsor’s opening: Senator Carl Glimm opened the hearing by citing Montana criminal statutes defining deliberate homicide and aiding or soliciting suicide, and by citing Baxter v. Montana. Glimm said Baxter left a statutory question to the legislature and argued the committee should close what he called a ‘loophole’ that allows physicians to prescribe drugs for the purpose of ending life. He warned of a slippery slope, pointing to international examples and Canadian death statistics presented by proponents.
Proponents’ case: Witnesses appearing in support included Kristen Juras (Governor’s office),…
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