LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Nevada Legislature considered a bill Wednesday that would allow doctors to prescribe a pill to help a terminally ill person end their own life.
Assembly Bill 346, sponsored by Democratic Assem. Joe Dalia and Republican Assem. Danielle Gallant would make it legal for a terminally ill patient to request medication to end their own life under certain circumstances.
This follows a similar bill passed through the legislature in 2023 that Republican Governor Joe Lombardo later vetoed.
- Patient must be at least 18 years old.
- Patient has been diagnosed with a terminal condition by at least two practitioners.
- Patient has made an informed and voluntary decision to end his or her own life.
- Patient is mentally capable of making such a decision.
- Patient is not requesting the medication because of coercion, deception or undue influence.
“I believe the time is now for us to fix this,” Assemblymember Dalia said in his proposal. “And to allow terminally ill patients to choose their own ending.”
Many for and against the proposal provided testimony in Carson City and Las Vegas.
“This legislation empowers terminally ill people to preserve their dignity and autonomy,” Tia Smith, attorney for ACLU Nevada, said.
Those behind it believe it gives people who are dying the power to choose and stops suffering.
Death doula Melissa Chanselle-Hary shared her experience, speaking to lawmakers in Carson City.
“For those in favor,” Chanselle-Hary said. “It is because they have lived through or are currently living through an excruciating experience.”
Those against the legislation said it could go against a doctor’s Hippocratic oath to administer this kind of medication. Many said they also worry someone could opt for it before their health ultimately improves.
Christiane Mersch explained her stance to 8 News Now after Wednesday’s hearing.
“It’s not going to be the solution for our patients,” Mersch said. “What we do need is more support for hospice, medical care.”
There were passionate pleas from both sides in this latest motion for change.
Medical aid in dying is currently legal in ten states and the District of Columbia.
To view the entire committee discussion, click HERE.
