The proposed "End-of-Life Option Act" in Minnesota allows terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request medical aid in dying. To qualify, individuals must be at least 18 years old, mentally capable, and not under guardianship. The process requires both an oral and a written request for the medication, which must be witnessed to ensure it is voluntary. The bill outlines the roles and responsibilities of healthcare providers, including attending and consulting providers, mental health consultants, and pharmacists, emphasizing informed consent and the documentation of specific details in the individual's medical record.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the safe disposal of unused medications, protections against reprisals for providers who comply with the law, and mandates reporting requirements for attending providers to the Department of Health. It classifies information submitted to the commissioner of health as private data and prohibits any contract or insurance policy from being conditioned on an individual's request for medical aid in dying. The bill also clarifies that the cause of death for individuals who self-administer the medication will be attributed to their underlying terminal disease, and it establishes penalties for offenses related to coercion or falsification of requests. Most provisions of the bill are set to take effect on August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 61A.031, 144.99, 609.215