DWD-Information.org | October 2026

Medical Aid in Dying Laws Across the United States

Medical aid in dying laws share several core safeguards, but the request process, waiting periods, provider requirements, and residency rules vary by jurisdiction. This public overview is designed as a starting point; the free state-specific learning programs provide more detail.

Quick National Overview

Jurisdictions with medical aid in dying authorized or enacted
JurisdictionLegal statusResidencyTerminal prognosisSelf-administrationLearning program
California Authorized
2016; permanent as of Oct. 3, 2025		 Required 6 months or less Required Available now
Colorado Authorized
2016; updated 2024		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
Delaware Authorized
Jan. 1, 2026		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
District of Columbia Authorized
2017		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
Hawai‘i Authorized
Jan. 1, 2019		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
Illinois Enacted — not yet effective
Sept. 12, 2026		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
Maine Authorized
2019; waiting-period rules updated 2025		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
Montana Court-authorized
Baxter v. State, 2009		 No statutory MAID residency rule Terminally ill* Required under the Baxter framework Coming soon
New Jersey Authorized
Aug. 1, 2019		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
New Mexico Authorized
2021		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
New York Authorized
Aug. 5, 2026		 Required Less than 6 months Required Coming soon
Oregon Authorized
1997; residency removed 2023		 Not required 6 months or less Required Available now
Vermont Authorized
2013; residency removed May 2, 2023		 Not required 6 months or less Required Coming soon
Washington Authorized
2009; updated 2023		 Required 6 months or less Required Coming soon

* Montana differs from the other jurisdictions because its legal framework comes from the Montana Supreme Court’s Baxter v. State decision rather than a detailed medical-aid-in-dying statute. The decision refers to a mentally competent, terminally ill adult but does not create the same statutory six-month eligibility rule used elsewhere.

Educational use only. DWD-Information.org provides general information about laws and procedures. It does not provide legal advice, medical advice, professional certification, or assistance obtaining or administering medication.
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