Allows Medical Aid in Dying for Terminal Illness
Virginia · HB886 · Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Why it matters
Terminally ill patients could get a prescription to end their lives if they meet every step. Doctors and other providers would need to follow the process or risk losing their licenses.
What it does
- Lets adults with a terminal illness, expected to die within six months, request a self-administered prescription to end their life
- Requires two oral requests, at least 15 days apart, plus a written request
- Requires a consulting provider to confirm the terminal diagnosis, with an in-person exam
- Requires a one-on-one talk, outside the presence of others, to rule out coercion
- Keeps the existing bans on helping a suicide for people outside this process, with lawsuits and license penalties
Status
Latest action (2026-07-21): Continued from last session
About this bill
Would allow adult residents with a terminal illness to request a prescription to end their own lives. Doctors must follow multiple steps, including two oral requests and a written one.
Health care; decision-making, definitions, medical aid in dying, penalties.
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Patient rights groups would likely say terminally ill adults should control their own end-of-life choices. They would point to the strict steps and safeguards in the bill.
💬 The case against
Disability and faith groups would likely say the bill puts vulnerable patients at risk of pressure. They may also worry about mistakes in predicting death within six months.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
News
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