Tennessee Senate Bill SB2258

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 32; Title 39; Title 56 and Title 68, relative to vulnerable persons.

Impact

If enacted, SB2258 will significantly alter existing state laws surrounding end-of-life care and a patient’s rights. It establishes a legal framework for what is termed 'death with dignity,' involving multiple safeguards to prevent abuse. By mandating that patients must be informed of their medical condition and treatment options before proceeding with the request, the law aims to uphold patient autonomy while ensuring that the decision is made with due diligence. It also stipulates waiting periods to allow for second thoughts and offers patients the right to rescind their request at any time.

Summary

Senate Bill 2258 aims to amend the Tennessee Code to address the provisions surrounding assisted death for patients suffering from terminal illnesses. The bill allows qualified adults who voluntarily and knowingly express a desire to end their life due to a terminal diagnosis to request medication that enables them to do so. To initiate this process, patients must submit a formal written request, which must be witnessed and carefully documented to ensure that the decision is made without coercion. Additionally, both an attending physician and a consulting physician must confirm the patient's terminal condition and competence to make such a request.

Contention

Throughout discussions surrounding the bill, notable points of contention have emerged. Supporters argue that the bill provides compassionate options for patients enduring unbearable suffering and promotes dignity in dying. Conversely, opponents express concerns about the potential for abuse and the ethical implications of enabling assisted suicide. They worry that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and disabled, might feel pressured to end their lives due to societal or familial expectations, raising significant ethical concerns that remain a focal point of the ongoing debate about the bill's implications.