HB 2243 Summary

• Establishes medical aid in dying in Arizona by adding Chapter 33 to Title 36, allowing terminally ill adults with capacity to request a prescription for life-ending medication.

• Requires a 15-day waiting period between the initial oral request and prescription, with an exception if the attending physician attests the individual will die within 15 days; mandates written requests witnessed by two individuals, with one witness unrelated to the patient and not entitled to their estate.

• Requires confirmation by both an attending physician and consulting physician that the individual has a terminal illness (projected death within six months), has decision-making capacity, and is acting voluntarily; mental health professional counseling required if physicians suspect psychiatric or psychological impairment.

• Protects health care providers from civil or criminal liability for participating in good faith compliance with the law; allows facilities to prohibit participation on their premises with prior written notice, but requires transfer of medical records if patient changes providers.

• Individual's self-administered medication must be taken orally only; the underlying terminal illness is listed as cause of death, not the medication; acts complying with this article are not considered suicide, assisted suicide, homicide, or elder abuse.