NC H780

Establishes an End of Life Option Act allowing qualified North Carolina residents diagnosed with a terminal disease (incurable, irreversible, resulting in death within 6 months) to request a prescription for a terminal comfort care drug to self-administer and end their life in a humane and dignified manner.

Requires a qualified individual to be at least 18 years old, have capacity to make medical decisions, undergo a hospice evaluation, make verbal and written requests (at least 7 days apart), and have two adult witnesses attest to voluntariness and mental capability.

Mandates the attending physician to confirm the terminal disease diagnosis, discuss risks and alternatives with the patient, conduct or refer for mental health specialist assessment if indicated, and verify no coercion or undue influence before prescribing the drug.

Protects participating physicians, pharmacists, and health care providers from civil, criminal, and professional disciplinary liability for good-faith participation, while allowing health care entities to prohibit participation on premises with prior notice.

Makes deaths resulting from self-administration of the terminal comfort care drug not constitute suicide but rather a hastened death from the underlying terminal disease, ensuring life insurance coverage is not denied and requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to publish annual reports on implementation.