Current Status: Enacted
The Washington Death with Dignity Act has been in effect since March 5, 2009.
An amendment, Increasing Access to the Death with Dignity Act, HB1141. was introduced on January 12, 2021, by Representative Nicole Macri, District 43, and was referred to the Committee on Health Care & Wellness.
As of March 9, 2021, the bill successfully passed House committees and floor votes before stalling.
Watch progress on our legislative tracker.
Resources and Additional Information
About the Statute and Its Implementation
- Full text of the Washington Death with Dignity Act
- Washington Department of Health
- State Report Navigator
Resources for Patients
- How to access the Washington Death with Dignity Act
- “Request for Medication to End My Life in a Humane and Dignified Manner” [PDF of written request form]
- End of Life Washington (formerly Compassion & Choices of Washington) – nonprofit helping Washingtonians navigate the request process of the Washington Death with Dignity Act
- Hospital policies regarding the Act
Resources for Healthcare Providers
- “Attending Physician’s Compliance Form” [PDF]
- “Attending Physician’s After Death Reporting Form” [PDF]
- “Consulting Physician’s Compliance Form” [PDF]
- “Psychiatric/Psychological Consultant’s Compliance Form” [PDF]
- “Pharmacy Dispensing Record” [PDF]
- Death with Dignity Information for Hospitals (Washington State Hospital Association)
- Additional resources
Take Action
Share Your Story
Write Now ›What does death with dignity mean to you?
Most people join our movement because of a heartbreaking personal experience. We receive stories of such experiences every day, and every day they inspire us to work toward ensuring terminally-ill Americans have the freedom to decide how they die. We want to hear from you. What's your death with dignity story? What inspired you to get involved in the cause?
History
Following our successful ballot initiative campaign, Washington voters approved of their state’s Death with Dignity Act in 2008. The law went into effect in 2009.
In the 2020 session a bill was introduced seeking to study barriers to using the Washington Death with Dignity Act. SB 2419, in a substitute form, passed in the House of Representatives 67 to 31 and in the Senate 36 to 13; on April 3, 2020, Governor Inslee vetoed the bill citing the need for the state to conserve resources to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.
