HB 2582 Summary

• Establishes a medical aid in dying program in Arizona (Title 36, Chapter 33) allowing terminally ill adults to request a prescription for medication to end their lives in a humane and dignified manner.

• Requires eligible patients to be Arizona residents at least 18 years old, deemed "capable" by physicians, with a terminal illness expected to result in death within six months, and must make written and oral requests separated by a 15-day waiting period (waivable if death imminent).

• Mandates that both an attending physician and consulting physician confirm the terminal diagnosis and patient's mental capacity, with mandatory psychiatric evaluation if either physician suspects impaired judgment from depression or mental illness.

• Protects health care providers and facilities from civil, criminal, or professional liability for participating in medical aid in dying in good faith, while allowing facilities to prohibit participation on their premises if they notify providers in advance.

• Specifies that deaths occurring under this article shall be listed on death certificates as resulting from the underlying terminal illness, not as suicide or homicide, and establishes criminal penalties (Class 1-2 felonies) for coercion, forgery, or destruction of requests.