Kentucky

Three states have enacted Death with Dignity laws: OregoDeath with Dignity Actsn, Washington, and Vermont. These laws allow mentally competent, terminally-ill adult state residents to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication to hasten their death. This is one of many end-of-life care options available in Oregon, Washington, and Vermont.

Oregon voters approved of their Death with Dignity Act in 1994 and confirmed their support in 1997. Oregon's law went into effect in 1998. The voters of Washington passed their law in 2008 and it was implemented in 2009 after no credible legal challenges. Vermont became the third state with a Death with Dignity law in 2013, and the law went into effect immediately after Governor Shumlin signed it on May 20.