Virginia Senate Bill SB930

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/6/23
• Refer: 1/6/23

Caption

Health care; decision making, end of life, penalties.

Impact

The introduction of SB930 will significantly affect state laws regarding end-of-life decisions, providing legal channels for assisted dying while safeguarding healthcare providers from liability when they act in good faith. The bill includes requirements for multiple requests from patients, confirmation of terminal conditions by consulting healthcare providers, and provisions ensuring that patients can withdraw their requests at any time. This legislative change aims to enhance patient autonomy and protect individuals' rights to choose their end-of-life care options.

Summary

Senate Bill 930 establishes provisions for medical aid in dying, allowing adults with terminal conditions to request a self-administered controlled substance to end their lives in a humane and dignified manner. The bill outlines that a qualifying patient must be an adult resident diagnosed with a terminal condition and provides detailed procedures for making requests for medical aid in dying. Healthcare providers are given the authority to prescribe such substances if certain conditions and protocols are met, ensuring that patients are making informed and voluntary decisions.

Contention

However, SB930 has sparked considerable debate, particularly around ethical and religious implications of assisted dying. Opponents argue that the bill undermines the sanctity of life, while proponents emphasize the importance of allowing individuals the choice to avoid prolonged suffering from terminal illnesses. Additionally, there are concerns regarding potential coercion and the adequacy of safeguards to ensure that vulnerable populations are not pressured into making irreversible decisions about their lives.