Opposing the Legalization of Assisted Suicide
February 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 4
FROM
SEA
TO SHINING
SEA
From California to Connecticut, Missouri
to Maryland, The Patients Rights Action
Fund is fighting legal assisted suicide in
states across our country. FInd out what’s
happening with assisted suicide legislation
in your state - and what we need you to do
to help us win the fight.
IN2 THIS3 ISSUE
4
State-by-State
Update Map
State-by-State
Update Details
PRAF:
How We Win
PRAF | February 2015 newsletter
WISCONSIN
KANSAS
MONTANA
•Bill HB 2150
•Assisted suicide bill SB 202 tabled in
•Read the bill at: http://bit.ly/1CihNY6
committee
•Primary sponsor is Dick Barrett (D)
•Montanans Against Assisted Suicide is very
IOWA
active and engaged in this state:
•Bill HF 65 introduced by
www.montanansagainstassistedsuicide.org
Assemblymembers: Meyer (D),
•There is also a proposed bill that would
Cohoon (D), Winckler (D), Stutsman
ALASKA
decisively ban assisted suicide
(D), Mascher (D), Brown-Powers (D),
•Bill HB 99 is being
Wolfe (D), Anderson (D),
sponsored by Reps
Wessel-Kroeschell (D)
Andy Josephson and
AL
•Bill language loose on
Harriet Drummond.
WYOMING
“self-administer” meaning merely
•Bill has been sent to “study”
to ingest
•Read the bill at:
•National Center for Independent
http://bit.ly/1yRM7Gq
Living has organized
communication network
NEVADA
•Legislative session began February 2
•Bill will be sponsored by Sen David Parks (D)
•Co-sponsors Senators Ben Kieckhefer (R),
Tick Segerblom (D)
•Coalition is being assembled
MA
NY
WA
WI
CT
PA
IA
NV
CO
CA
KS
NJ
DE
MD
D.C.
MO
MARYLAND
OK
NM
•WIN! HB 15-1135 failed in committee thanks to strong
opposition testimony from doctors, hospice, people with
disabilities and clergy.
•Coloradans Against Physician Assisted Suicide (CAPAS):
www.notdeadyetcolorado.org
•Co-led by Not Dead Yet CO and Focus on the Family
with participation from other disability rights, pro-life and
medical groups
Doctor assisted
suicide legalized
•Court of Appeals heard
arguments Monday
regarding previous assisted
suicide ruling by Judge Nan
Nash
•Not Dead Yet has filed a brief in
opposition to assisted suicide
•ACLU and NM Psychological
Assn. have filed briefs in support
•Ruling is expected to take 6-12
months
States that should remain
vigilant and engaged to this
national threat
MISSOURI
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
•HB 307 was introduced in early
January by Representative
Kimberly Gardner (D)
•No hearings are scheduled
•Bill B21-0031 introduced by
Councilwoman Mary M. Cheh (D)
•Modeled on the Oregon law
•Read the bill at: http://bit.ly/1xtrawi
OKLAHOMA
MASSACHUSETTS
•Coalition exists co-led by
2nd Thoughts and MCFL
•Bill HB 1674 proposed by
Rep. Louis Kafka with 39
co-sponsors
•Assembly Bill 2129 introduced
•Sponsored by Asm Linda
Rosenthal (D)
•Senators Brad Hoylman (D) and
Diane Savino (D) introducing
legislation
•Pending pro-assisted suicide
court case
•Not Dead Yet is taking a lead
role and coalition is forming
•Senator Ron Young (D) will sponsor
assisted suicide legislation in this
session, which began January 14
•Modeled after the Oregon law
•Governor-elect Larry Hogan (R),
is opposed
NEW MEXICO
COLORADO
•Some 20 months after assisted suicide
was signed into law by the governor, one
individual used the law
•Coalition includes VT Center for
Independent Living, VT Right to Life
•Vermont Alliance for Ethical
Healthcare is active and working to
repeal:
•Visit www.vaeh.org and
www.repealact39.com
NEW YORK
VT
MT
CALIFORNIA
Proposed legislation
this session
PENNSYLVANIA
•Assisted suicide bill HB 2584 is currently pending in
the legislature
•Introduced by Asm Mark Rozzi (D) in October and
referred to the Judiciary Committee where no action
has been taken
•Senator Daylin Leach plans to reintroduce a bill this year
•Coalition is being assembled
OR
WY
•SB 128 was introduced by Sens. Monning and
Wolk on 1.21.15
•Maynard family press conference
•Broad coalition exists: www.noassistedsuicideca.org
•Coalition led by Assn of Oncologists, CA Medical Assn,
Catholic Hospitals, Disability Rights, Independent Living
and Catholic Healthcare
•Pending pro-assisted suicide court case
VERMONT
•Senator Risser plans to introduce AS bill
•He has done so 6 previous times
•Republicans control both houses and the
Governor’s office
•National Not Dead Yet is working closely
with ADAPT and NDY WI
•Assisted suicide bill HB 1673 authored by
Rep Steve Kouplen (D)
•Language similar to that in numerous other states
•In Public Health Committee
CONNECTICUT
•Bill 668 submitted to the Judiciary
Committee
•Read the bill at:
1.usa.gov/1Jt22N4
•Coalition led by 2nd Thoughts CT:
www.facebook.com/SecondThoughtsConnecticut
•Speaker of the House is
in support
•March 24 is ACLU l
obbying day
•CT Legislature slashed funding for
people w/ disabilities
DELAWARE
•Representative Paul Baumbach (D)
has announced he will introduce an
assisted suicide bill this session
•Session began January 13
NEW JERSEY
•S 382 could be up for a vote in the Senate on
March 5 or March 16
•Governor Christie has expressed concerns and is
currently opposed
•Coalition is co-led by NJ Right to Life, Disability
Rights/Second Thoughts, New Jersey Catholic
Conference: www.noassistedsuicidenj.org
PATIENTS’ RIGHTS
ACTION FUND
www.patientsrightsaction.org
how we WIN
• Track legalization efforts, build statecoalitions of
grassroots organizations that oppose assisted suicide.
• Launch lobbying efforts and campaign committees.
Defend the rights of patients.
Stop rationed heathcare.
Please donate today!
• Conduct in-state polling for constituency assessment
and create effective research-based messaging.
• Organize allies in the submission of expert Amicus
Briefs to courts making assisted suicide decisions.
• Initiate, draft, place, and fund earned and paid
media: online, TV and radio.
16 Vandeventer Ave., Floor 1
Princeton, NJ 08542