Assisted dying statutes in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington allow mentally competent, terminally-ill adult state residents to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication so they can die in a peaceful, humane manner in a place and time of their choosing. Death with dignity is one of many end-of-life care options available.
Oregon voters approved their law in 1994 and confirmed their support in 1997, when the Oregon Death with Dignity Act went into effect.
Washington state voters passed their law in 2008; it has been implemented in 2009 after no credible legal challenges.
In 2013, Vermont lawmakers enacted their assisted death law—the first passed by a state legislature.
California followed in 2015, Colorado and the District of Columbia in 2016, Hawaii in 2018, New Jersey and Maine in 2019, and New Mexico in 2021.