MO HB3497

Allows competent Missouri adults with a terminal disease (prognosis of death within 6 months) to request medication to end their life, requiring confirmation by both an attending and consulting physician

Requires a 15-day waiting period between initial oral request and written request, plus an additional 48 hours before prescription can be written, with mandatory opportunity to rescind at any time

Mandates counseling referral if either physician suspects psychiatric or psychological disorder impairing judgment, and medication cannot be prescribed until cleared

Protects participating health care providers, patients, witnesses, and family members from civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith, while allowing providers to opt out of participation with written notice

Explicitly states that actions under the act do not constitute suicide, assisted suicide, mercy killing, or homicide, and prohibits insurance companies from denying benefits or altering policies based on use of the act