HB15-1135 Summary

• Enacts the "Colorado Death with Dignity Act" authorizing terminally ill Colorado residents to request physician-prescribed life-ending medication for self-administration by ingestion.

• Requires qualified individuals to make two oral requests at least 15 days apart and one written request witnessed by two persons, with a 48-hour waiting period after the written request before prescription issuance.

• Mandates attending and consulting physicians verify the individual has a terminal illness (incurable disease resulting in death within six months), is capable of making the decision, and is acting voluntarily.

• Protects physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other health care providers from civil, criminal, and professional liability for good-faith participation, while allowing health care facilities to prohibit participation on their premises with advance notice.

• Clarifies the act does not authorize lethal injection, mercy killing, or active euthanasia and establishes criminal penalties for forging requests or coercing individuals; applies to conduct occurring on or after July 1, 2015.