Attorney General No.

SA91RF0015

Secretary of State No.

543

Description

TERMINAL ILLNESS. ASSISTANCE IN DYING. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Permits revocable written directive authorizing physician to terminate life in "painless, humane and dignified manner" by mentally competent adult after terminal illness diagnosed. States procedures for witnessing and revoking directive, and requesting medical assistance in dying. Precludes physicians, health professionals, and facilities from civil or criminal liability if initiative's provisions followed. Provides requesting or receiving authorized aid not suicide. Allows physicians and health professionals to refuse to end life if religiously, morally or ethically opposed. Prohibits existence or non-existence of directive from affecting sale, renewal, cancellation, terms, or premiums of insurance policies. Estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would result in some unknown savings due to decreased utilization of the state Medi-Cal program and other public programs, including county programs.

Proponents

Robert L. Risley, 1320 So. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, Ca 91106 (213) 485-8521; Allan K. Briney, 13303 E. Hadley Street, Whittier, Ca 90601

Date

10-7-1991

Document Type

Initiative

Qualified

Qualified

Share

COinS