---
title: SB 610. "Georgia Death and Dignity Act"; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb610
cite_as: SB 610, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb610
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb610.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb610/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73730
date: 2026-03-03
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb609.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb610.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 610
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-02-26
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Kim Jackson
- Nan Orrock
- Harold Jones
- Sally Harrell
- RaShaun Kemp
- Michael Rhett
- Josh McLaurin
- Elena Parent
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB610/2025
upstream_id: 2125975
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- medical aid in dying
- end-of-life care
- terminal illness
- physician assisted death
- health law
---
# SB 610. "Georgia Death and Dignity Act"; enact
## Text
Senate Bill 610
By: Senators Jackson of the 41st, Orrock of the 36th, Jones II of the 22nd, Harrell of the
40th, Kemp of the 38th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so as to
create provisions for physician-assisted end-of-life options for terminally ill individuals; to
provide for definitions; to provide a criminal penalty; to provide a short title; to provide for
related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ''Georgia Death with Dignity Act.''
SECTION 2.
Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended by adding
a new chapter to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 55
31-55-1.
As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) 'Adult' means an individual who is 18 years of age or older.
(2) 'Attending physician' means a physician who has primary responsibility for the care
of a terminally ill individual and the treatment of the individual's terminal illness.
(3) 'Consulting physician' means a physician who is qualified by specialty or experience
to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis regarding a terminally ill individual's
illness.
(4) 'Healthcare provider' or 'provider' means a person or facility that is licensed, certified,
registered, or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to administer healthcare or
dispense medication in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession under
this title or Title 34.
(5) 'Informed decision' means a decision that is:
(A) Made by an individual to obtain a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication
that the qualified individual may decide to self-administer to end his or her life in a
peaceful manner;
(B) Based on an understanding and acknowledgment of the relevant facts; and
(C) Made after the attending physician fully informs the individual of:
(i) His or her medical diagnosis and prognosis of six months or less;
(ii) The potential risks associated with taking the medical aid-in-dying medication to
be prescribed;
(iii) The probable result of taking the medical aid-in-dying medication to be
prescribed;
(iv) The choices available to such individual that demonstrate his or her
self-determination and intent to end his or her life in a peaceful manner, including the
ability to choose whether to:
(I) Request medical aid in dying;
(II) Obtain a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication to end his or her life;
(III) Fill the prescription and possess medical aid-in-dying medication to end his
or her life; and
(IV) Ultimately self-administer the medical aid-in-dying medication to bring about
a peaceful death; and
(v) All feasible alternatives or additional treatment opportunities, including comfort
care, palliative care, hospice care, and pain control.
(6) 'Licensed mental health professional' means a psychiatrist licensed under Chapter 34
of Title 43 or a psychologist licensed under Chapter 39 of Title 43.
(7) 'Medical aid in dying' means the medical practice of a physician prescribing medical
aid-in-dying medication to a qualified individual that the individual may choose to
self-administer to bring about a peaceful death.
(8) 'Medical aid-in-dying medication' means medication prescribed by a physician
pursuant to this chapter to provide medical aid in dying to a qualified individual.
(9) 'Medically confirmed' means that a consulting physician who has examined the
terminally ill individual and the individual's relevant medical records has confirmed the
medical opinion of the attending physician.
(10) 'Mental capacity' or 'mentally capable' means that in the opinion of an individual's
attending physician, consulting physician, psychiatrist or psychologist, the individual has
the ability to make and communicate an informed decision to healthcare providers.
(11) 'Physician' means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed to practice medicine
by the Georgia Composite Medical Board.
(12) 'Prognosis of six months or less' means a prognosis resulting from a terminal illness
that the illness will, within reasonable medical judgment, result in death within six
months and which has been medically confirmed.
(13) 'Qualified individual' means a terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or
less, who has mental capacity, has made an informed decision, is a resident of this state,
and has satisfied the requirements of this chapter in order to obtain a prescription for
medical aid-in-dying medication to end his or her life in a peaceful manner.
(14) 'Resident' means an individual who is able to demonstrate residency in this state by
providing any of the following documentation to his or her attending physician:
(A) A driver's license or identification card issued pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 40;
(B) A voter registration card or other documentation showing the individual is
registered to vote in this state;
(C) Evidence that the individual owns or leases property in this state; or
(D) An income tax return filed with the State of Georgia for the most recent tax year.
(15) 'Self-administer' means a qualified individual's affirmative, conscious, and physical
act of administering the medical aid-in-dying medication to himself or herself to bring
about his or her own death.
(16) 'Terminal illness' means an incurable and irreversible illness that will, within
reasonable medical judgment, result in death.
31-55-2.
(a) An adult resident of this state may make a request, pursuant to Code Sections 31-55-3
and 31-55-11, to receive a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication if:
(1) The individual's attending physician has diagnosed the individual with a terminal
illness with a prognosis of six months or less;
(2) The individual's attending physician has determined the individual has mental
capacity; and
(3) The individual has voluntarily expressed the wish to receive a prescription for
medical aid-in-dying medication.
(b) The right to request medical aid-in-dying medication shall not exist because of age or
disability.
31-55-3.
(a) In order to receive a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication pursuant to this
chapter, an individual who satisfies the requirements in Code Section 31-55-2 shall make
two oral requests, separated by at least three days, and a valid written request to his or her
attending physician.
(b) To be valid, a written request for medical aid-in-dying medication shall be:
(1) Substantially in the same form as set forth in Code Section 31-55-11;
(2) Signed and dated by the individual seeking the medical aid-in-dying medication;
(3) Witnessed by at least two persons who, in the presence of the individual, attest to the
best of their knowledge and belief that the individual is:
(A) Mentally capable;
(B) Acting voluntarily; and
(C) Not being coerced to sign the request; and
(4) Of the two witnesses to the written request, at least one must not be:
(A) Related to the individual by blood, marriage, civil union, or adoption;
(B) A person who, at the time the request is signed, is entitled, under a will or by
operation of law, to any portion of the individual's estate upon his or her death; or
(C) An owner, operator, or employee of a healthcare facility where the individual is
receiving medical treatment or is a resident.
(c) Neither the individual's attending physician nor a person authorized as the individual's
qualified power of attorney or durable medical power of attorney shall serve as a witness
to the written request.
31-55-4.
(a) At any time, an individual may rescind his or her request for medical aid-in-dying
medication without regard to the individual's mental state.
(b) An attending physician shall not write a prescription for medical aid-in-dying
medication under this chapter unless the attending physician offers the qualified individual
an opportunity to rescind the request for the medical aid-in-dying medication.
31-55-5.
The attending physician shall:
(1) Make the initial determination of whether an individual requesting medical
aid-in-dying medication has a terminal illness, has a prognosis of six months or less, is
mentally capable, is making an informed decision, and has made the request voluntarily;
(2) Request that the individual demonstrate Georgia residency by providing
documentation as described in Code Section 31-55-1;
(3) Provide care that conforms to established medical standards and accepted medical
guidelines;
(4) Refer the individual to a consulting physician for medical confirmation of the
diagnosis and prognosis and for a determination of whether the individual is mentally
capable, is making an informed decision, and acting voluntarily;
(5) Provide full, individual-centered disclosures to ensure that the individual is making
an informed decision by discussing with the individual:
(A) His or her medical diagnosis and prognosis of six months or less;
(B) The feasible alternatives or additional treatment opportunities, including comfort
care, palliative care, hospice care, and pain control;
(C) The potential risks associated with taking the medical aid-in-dying medication to
be prescribed;
(D) The probable result of taking the medical aid-in-dying medication to be prescribed;
and
(E) The possibility that the individual can obtain the medical aid-in-dying medication
but chooses not to use it;
(6) Refer the individual to a licensed mental health professional pursuant to Code
Section 31-55-7 if the attending physician believes that the individual may not be
mentally capable of making an informed decision;
(7) Confirm that the individual's request does not arise from coercion or undue influence
by another person by discussing with the individual, outside the presence of other
persons, whether the individual is feeling coerced or unduly influenced by another
person;
(8) Counsel the individual about the importance of:
(A) Having another person present when the individual self-administers the medical
aid-in-dying medication prescribed pursuant to this chapter;
(B) Not taking the medical aid-in-dying medication in a public place;
(C) Safekeeping and proper disposal of unused medical aid-in-dying medication in
accordance with Code Section 31-55-19; and
(D) Notifying his or her next of kin of the request for medical aid-in-dying medication;
(9) Inform the individual that he or she may rescind the request for medical aid-in-dying
medication at any time and in any manner;
(10) Verify, immediately prior to writing the prescription for medical aid-in-dying
medication, that the individual is making an informed decision;
(11) Ensure that all appropriate steps are carried out in accordance with this chapter
before writing a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication; and
(12)(A) Dispense medical aid-in-dying medications directly to the qualified individual,
including ancillary medications intended to minimize the individual's discomfort, if the
attending physician has a current drug enforcement administration certificate and
complies with any applicable administrative rule; or
(B) Deliver the written prescription personally, by mail, or through authorized
electronic transmission in the manner permitted by law to a licensed pharmacist, who
shall dispense the medical aid-in-dying medication to the qualified individual, the
attending physician, or a person expressly designated by the qualified individual.
31-55-6.
Before an individual who is requesting medical aid-in-dying medication may receive a
prescription for such medication, a consulting physician shall:
(1) Examine the individual and his or her relevant medical records; and
(2) Confirm, in writing, to the attending physician that:
(A) The individual has a terminal illness;
(B) The individual has a prognosis of six months or less;
(C) The individual is making an informed decision; and
(D) The individual is mentally capable, or provide documentation that the consulting
physician has referred the individual for further evaluation in accordance with Code
Section 31-55-7.
31-55-7.
(a) An attending physician shall not prescribe medical aid-in-dying medication under this
chapter for an individual with a terminal illness until the individual is determined to be
mentally capable of making an informed decision, and those determinations are confirmed
in accordance with this Code section.
(b) If the attending physician or the consulting physician believes that the individual may
not be mentally capable of making an informed decision, the attending physician or
consulting physician shall refer the individual to a licensed mental health professional for
a determination of whether the individual is mentally capable of making an informed
decision.
(c) A licensed mental health professional who evaluates an individual under this Code
section shall communicate, in writing, to the attending or consulting physician who
requested the evaluation his or her conclusions about whether the individual is mentally
capable of making an informed decision. If the licensed mental health professional
determines that the individual is not mentally capable of making an informed decision, the
individual shall not be deemed a qualified individual under this chapter and the attending
physician shall not prescribe medical aid-in-dying medication to the individual.
31-55-8.
(a) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the attending physician or the hospice medical
director shall sign the death certificate of a qualified individual who obtained and
self-administered aid-in-dying medication.
(b) When a death has occurred in accordance with this chapter, the cause of death shall be
listed as the underlying terminal illness and the death shall not constitute grounds for
post-mortem inquiry under Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 45.
31-55-9.
(a) An individual with a terminal illness is not a qualified individual and shall not receive
a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication unless he or she has made an informed
decision.
(b) Immediately before writing a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication under
this chapter, the attending physician shall verify that the individual with a terminal illness
is making an informed decision.
31-55-10.
(a) The attending physician shall document, in the individual's medical record, the
following information:
(1) Dates of all oral requests;
(2) A valid written request;
(3) The attending physician's diagnosis and prognosis, determination of mental capacity,
and that the individual is making a voluntary request and an informed decision;
(4) The consulting physician's confirmation of diagnosis and prognosis, mental capacity,
and that the individual is making an informed decision;
(5) If applicable, written confirmation of mental capacity from a licensed mental health
professional;
(6) A notation of notification of the right to rescind a request made pursuant to this
chapter; and
(7) A notation by the attending physician that all requirements under this chapter have
been satisfied, indicating steps taken to carry out the request, including a notation of the
medical aid-in-dying medications prescribed and when.
(b)(1) The Department of Public Health shall annually review a sample of records
maintained pursuant to this chapter to ensure compliance. The department shall adopt
rules to facilitate the collection of information defined in subsection (a) of this Code
section. Except as otherwise required by law, the information collected by the
department is not a public record and is not available for public inspection. However, the
department shall generate and make available to the public an annual statistical report of
information collected under this subsection.
(2) The department shall require any healthcare provider, upon dispensing a medical
aid-in-dying medication pursuant to this chapter, to file a copy of a dispensing record
with the department. The dispensing record is not a public record and is not available for
public inspection.
31-55-11.
A request for medical aid-in-dying medication authorized by this chapter shall be in
substantially the following form:
'REQUEST FOR MEDICATION TO END MY LIFE IN A PEACEFUL MANNER
I,_____________________________________________, am an adult of sound mind.
I am suffering from _____________________________, which my attending physician
has determined is a terminal illness and which has been medically confirmed. I have
been fully informed of my diagnosis and prognosis of six months or less, the nature of
the medical aid-in-dying medication to be prescribed and potential associated risks, the
expected result, and the feasible alternatives or additional treatment opportunities,
including comfort care, palliative care, hospice care, and pain control.
I request that my attending physician prescribe medical aid-in-dying medication that will
end my life in a peaceful manner if I choose to take it, and I authorize my attending
physician to contact any pharmacist about my request.
____I understand that I have the right to rescind this request at any time.
____I understand the seriousness of this request, and I expect to die if I take the
aid-in-dying medication prescribed.
____I further understand that although most deaths occur within three hours, my death
may take longer, and my attending physician has counseled me about this possibility. I
make this request voluntarily, without reservation, and without being coerced, and I
accept full responsibility for my actions.
Signed: ________________________________________________________
Dated: _________________________________________________________
DECLARATION OF WITNESSES
We declare that the individual signing this request:
____Is personally known to us or has provided proof of identity;
____Signed this request in our presence;
____Appears to be of sound mind and not under duress, coercion, or undue influence; and
____I am not the attending physician for the individual.
WITNESS ONE
Name:____________________________________________ Date:_________________
WITNESS TWO
Name:__________________________________________ Date:__________________
Note:
(a) Of the two witnesses to the written request, at least one must not:
(1) Be a relative (by blood, marriage, civil union, or adoption) of the individual signing
this request;
(2) Be entitled to any portion of the individual's estate upon death; or
(3) Own, operate, or be employed at a healthcare facility where the individual is a patient
or resident; and
(b) Neither the individual's attending physician nor a person authorized as the individual's
qualified power of attorney or durable medical power of attorney shall serve as a witness
to the written request.'
31-55-12.
(a) Physicians and healthcare providers shall provide medical services under this chapter
that meet or exceed the standard of care for end-of-life medical care.
(b) If a healthcare provider is unable or unwilling to carry out an eligible individual's
request and the individual transfers care to a new healthcare provider, the healthcare
provider shall coordinate transfer of the individual's medical records to a new healthcare
provider.
31-55-13.
(a) A provision in a contract, will, or other agreement, whether written or oral, that would
affect whether an individual may make or rescind a request for medical aid in dying
pursuant to this chapter is invalid.
(b) An obligation owing under any currently existing contract shall not be conditioned
upon, or affected by, an individual's act of making or rescinding a request for medical
aid-in-dying medication pursuant to this chapter.
31-55-14.
(a) The sale, procurement, or issuance of, or the rate charged for, any life, health, or
accident insurance or annuity policy shall not be conditioned upon, or affected by, an
individual's act of making or rescinding a request for medical aid-in-dying medication in
accordance with this chapter.
(b) A qualified individual's act of self-administering medical aid-in-dying medication
pursuant to this chapter shall not affect a life, health, or accident insurance or annuity
policy.
(c) An insurer shall not deny or otherwise alter healthcare benefits available under a policy
of sickness and accident insurance for an individual with a terminal illness who is covered
under the policy, based on whether or not the individual makes a request pursuant to this
chapter.
(d) An individual with a terminal illness who is a recipient under any medical assistance
program of this state shall not be denied benefits under such program or have his or her
benefits under such program otherwise altered based on whether or not such individual
makes a request pursuant to this chapter.
31-55-15.
(a) A person shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary
action for acting in good faith under this chapter, which includes being present when a
qualified individual self-administers the prescribed medical aid-in-dying medication.
(b) Except as provided for in Code Section 31-55-17, a healthcare provider or professional
organization or association shall not subject an individual to any of the following for
participating or refusing to participate in good-faith compliance under this chapter:
(1) Censure;
(2) Discipline;
(3) Suspension;
(4) Loss of license, privileges, or membership; or
(5) Any other penalty.
(c) A request by an individual for, or the provision by an attending physician of, medical
aid-in-dying medication in good-faith compliance with this chapter shall not:
(1) Constitute neglect or elder abuse for any purpose of law; or
(2) Provide the basis for the appointment of a guardian or conservator.
(d) This Code section shall not limit civil or criminal liability for negligence, recklessness,
or intentional misconduct.
31-55-16.
(a) A healthcare provider may choose whether to participate in providing medical
aid-in-dying medication to an individual in accordance with this chapter.
(b) If a healthcare provider is unable or unwilling to carry out an individual's request for
medical aid-in-dying medication made in accordance with this chapter, and the individual
transfers his or her care to a new healthcare provider, the prior healthcare provider shall
transfer, upon request, a copy of the individual's relevant medical records to the new
healthcare provider.
31-55-17.
(a) A healthcare facility may prohibit a physician employed or under contract from writing
a prescription for medical aid-in-dying medication for a qualified individual who intends
to use the medical aid-in-dying medication on the facility's premises. The healthcare
facility shall notify the physician in writing of its policy with regard to prescriptions for
medical aid-in-dying medication. A healthcare facility that fails to provide advance notice
to the physician shall not be entitled to enforce such a policy against the physician.
(b) A healthcare facility or healthcare provider shall not subject a physician, nurse,
pharmacist, or other person to discipline, suspension, loss of license or privileges, or any
other penalty or sanction for actions taken in good-faith reliance on this chapter or for
refusing to act under this chapter.
(c) A healthcare facility shall notify patients in writing of its policy with regard to medical
aid in dying. A healthcare facility that fails to provide advance notification to patients shall
not be entitled to enforce such a policy.
31-55-18.
(a) A person commits a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by
imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years if the person, knowingly or
intentionally, causes an individual's death by:
(1) Forging or altering a request for medical aid-in-dying medication to end an
individual's life without the individual's authorization; or
(2) Concealing or destroying a rescission of a request for medical aid-in-dying
medication.
(b) A person commits a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by
imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years if the person knowingly or
intentionally coerces or exerts undue influence on an individual with a terminal illness to:
(1) Request medical aid-in-dying medication for the purpose of ending the terminally ill
individual's life; or
(2) Destroy a rescission of a request for medical aid-in-dying medication.
(c) Nothing in this chapter limits further liability for civil damages resulting from other
negligent conduct or intentional misconduct by any person.
(d) The penalties specified in this chapter do not preclude criminal penalties applicable
under Title 16 for conduct that is inconsistent with this chapter.
31-55-19.
A person who has custody or control of medical aid-in-dying medication dispensed under
this chapter that the terminally ill individual decides not to use or that remains unused after
the terminally ill individual's death shall dispose of the unused medical aid-in-dying
medication either by:
(1) Returning the unused medical aid-in-dying medication to the attending physician who
prescribed the medical aid-in-dying medication, who shall dispose of the unused medical
aid-in-dying medication in the manner required by law; or
(2) Lawful means in accordance with a state or federally approved medication take-back
program authorized under the federal Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010,
Pub. L. 111-273, and regulations adopted pursuant to the federal act.
31-55-20.
Nothing in this chapter authorizes a physician or any other person to end an individual's life
by lethal injection, mercy killing, or euthanasia. Actions taken in accordance with this
chapter shall not, for any purpose, constitute suicide, assisted suicide, mercy killing,
homicide, or elder abuse under Title 16.
31-55-21.
A government entity that incurs costs resulting from an individual terminating his or her
life pursuant to this chapter in a public place has a claim against the estate of the individual
to recover the costs and reasonable attorney fees related to enforcing the claim.
31-55-22.
Nothing in this chapter shall change the legal effect of:
(1) A declaration made under Chapter 32 of this title directing that life-sustaining
procedures be withheld or withdrawn;
(2) A cardiopulmonary resuscitation directive executed under Chapter 32 of this title; or
(3) An advance medical directive executed under Chapter 32 of this title."
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia Senate bill would let terminally ill adults with six months or less to live legally request medication from a physician to end their life, under a detailed set of medical, witness, and reporting requirements.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia currently has no law allowing physicians to prescribe medication for a terminally ill person to end their own life. This bill, titled the Georgia Death with Dignity Act, would add a new chapter to Title 31 of Georgia's health code creating that option. An adult Georgia resident diagnosed with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less, who is mentally capable and acting voluntarily, could ask an attending physician for medical aid-in-dying medication.
The process requires two oral requests three days apart, a written request signed and witnessed by two people, confirmation by a second consulting physician, and a mental health evaluation if capacity is in doubt. The person must self-administer the medication; no one else may do it for them. The bill sets criminal penalties for forging a request or coercing someone into one, protects participating and non-participating healthcare providers from liability or discipline, and lets healthcare facilities set their own participation policies. The Department of Public Health would review records for compliance but keep them confidential.
### What it does
- Creates a new legal process letting terminally ill Georgia adults with a prognosis of six months or less request a prescription to end their life.
- Requires two oral requests spaced at least three days apart plus a signed, two-witness written request before a physician may prescribe the medication.
- Requires a second, consulting physician to confirm the diagnosis, prognosis, and the person's mental capacity to decide.
- Creates felony penalties, punishable by one to five years in prison, for forging a request or coercing a terminally ill person into requesting the medication.
- Shields physicians and healthcare providers who participate in good faith from civil, criminal, or licensing consequences, while letting facilities and providers opt out.
- Requires the Department of Public Health to review a sample of records for compliance and publish an annual statistical report, while keeping individual records confidential.
### Who it affects
Terminally ill adult Georgia residents and their families, attending and consulting physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists asked to assess mental capacity, pharmacists, hospice and healthcare facilities, insurers, and the Department of Public Health, which would oversee compliance records.
### Why it matters
If enacted, terminally ill Georgians could legally obtain medication to end their life on their own terms, something not currently allowed under state law. The bill also sets new legal protections and duties for physicians, facilities, and insurers, and creates new felony penalties for coercion or forgery connected to these requests.
### Key provisions
- O.C.G.A. § 31-55-2 limits eligibility to adult Georgia residents with a terminal illness, a six-month-or-less prognosis, and confirmed mental capacity who voluntarily request the medication.
- § 31-55-3 requires two oral requests at least three days apart and a written request signed and witnessed by two people, with limits on who can serve as a witness.
- § 31-55-6 and § 31-55-7 require a second consulting physician to confirm the diagnosis and capacity, and a licensed mental health professional evaluation if capacity is in doubt.
- § 31-55-8 states the death certificate must list the underlying terminal illness as cause of death and bars it from triggering a coroner's inquest.
- § 31-55-10 requires the attending physician to document each step and requires the Department of Public Health to review a sample of records annually while keeping them confidential.
- § 31-55-15 through § 31-55-17 protect healthcare providers acting in good faith from liability or discipline, while letting facilities and providers decline to participate.
- § 31-55-18 creates felony penalties of one to five years in prison for forging a request, destroying a rescission, or coercing a terminally ill person into requesting the medication.
- § 31-55-20 clarifies that actions under the chapter do not legally count as suicide, assisted suicide, homicide, or elder abuse under Title 16.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-02-26)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2026-03-03)
- Sponsors: Kim Jackson, Nan Orrock, Harold Jones, Sally Harrell, RaShaun Kemp, Michael Rhett, Josh McLaurin, Elena Parent
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73730
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb610.md?full=1