Bill on the Right to Assisted Dying

This French bill establishes a legal right to assisted dying for adult patients suffering from a serious, incurable illness that is life-threatening. The request must be voluntary, informed, and repeated, and the patient must be of legal age and capable of expressing their will at the time of the request. The procedure is strictly regulated: patients must meet defined medical criteria and submit a formal request that is reviewed by healthcare professionals. A collegial medical review process is required before any assisted dying can be authorized, ensuring that no single doctor can approve the procedure alone. A conscience clause is explicitly included, allowing any healthcare professional — including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists — to refuse participation in the assisted dying procedure without professional penalty. However, they are required to refer the patient to another willing professional or facility. The bill represents a significant shift in French end-of-life legislation, which previously only permitted deep continuous sedation under the 2016 Claeys-Leonetti law. This proposal would for the first time allow the administration of a lethal substance either by a healthcare professional or self-administered by the patient.

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