Senate Bill 1076 (sSB1076 File No. 248), titled "AN ACT CONCERNING AID IN DYING FOR TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS," establishes a legal framework for terminally ill adults in Connecticut to obtain and self-administer prescribed medications to end their lives under specific conditions. To be eligible, patients must be competent adults, residents of Connecticut for at least one year, diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to result in death within six months, and have voluntarily expressed their wish to receive aid in dying. The bill requires two written requests from the patient, at least 15 days apart, witnessed by individuals who meet certain criteria. Attending physicians have responsibilities including ensuring informed consent, confirming the patient's eligibility, and reporting to the Department of Public Health. The bill includes protections against civil, criminal, and professional liability for those involved, provided they comply with the bill's requirements, and establishes felony penalties for misuse or undue influence related to aid in dying medication. The bill also invalidates provisions in wills or contracts affected by a patient's decision regarding aid in dying and mandates annual reporting to the Public Health Committee. The effective date for the bill is October 1, 2023, with some provisions effective upon passage.

The bill further details the process for requesting aid in dying, including the form and content of written requests, the right to rescind the request, and the option to inform or not inform family members. It outlines the steps for verifying a patient's eligibility, mandates counseling to determine if the patient is suffering from any condition that might impair judgment, and details recordkeeping requirements for the attending physician. The bill ensures that the act of requesting or self-administering aid in dying medication is not considered suicide for any legal purposes and that participation in the process is voluntary for all parties involved. Health care providers must make an individual decision to participate, and health care facilities can prohibit participation but must transfer medical records upon request. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for the misuse of aid in dying medication and requires attending physicians to verify a patient's continued eligibility through regular appointments. The Public Health Committee has given a Joint Favorable Substitute recommendation for the bill.