H.R. 7196: To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any law to permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

The bill aims to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act specifically concerning the topics of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Its main provisions are as follows:

Prohibition on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

The bill seeks to explicitly prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any law that would allow euthanasia or assisted suicide within the District. This is accomplished by making amendments to an existing section of the DC Home Rule Act. The amendments include:

• Removing any existing allowances for euthanasia or assisted suicide from the laws that the District can enact.
• Inserting a new prohibition that bars the enactment of any law which permits activities related to assisted suicide or euthanasia, thereby reinforcing that the District cannot create any legislative framework allowing these practices.

Repeal of Existing Law

In addition to establishing new prohibitions, the bill also includes a provision to repeal the existing 'Death With Dignity Act of 2016.' This act currently allows for physician-assisted suicide under certain conditions, and its repeal would remove that legal option for residents of the District of Columbia.

Legislative Process

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for further consideration.

Overall Implications

Should this bill pass, it would effectively nullify any prior laws permitting euthanasia or assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, ensuring that these practices remain illegal. The change is intended to align the local legislative framework with the federal restrictions outlined in the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.

Relevant Companies

None found