Proposed law to regulate euthanasia in Spain

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would recognize the right of adults with capacity to request and receive help to die, if they suffer a serious and incurable illness or a serious chronic disability causing unbearable suffering.
2. Help to die could be provided in two ways: directly administering a substance that causes death, or prescribing or supplying it so the person can self-administer it.
3. The request must be made in writing and repeated at least once fifteen calendar days later, and the person may revoke it at any time.
4. Health care professionals could refuse on grounds of conscience, stating so in writing, and regions would create registries of objectors.
5. The service would be included in the common portfolio of services of the National Health System, with public funding, and could be provided in public or private centers or at the person's home.
6. Control and Evaluation Commissions would be created in each autonomous community and in Ceuta and Melilla to oversee compliance, and the Penal Code would be amended to decriminalize these practices.

Who it affects

• People with a serious incurable illness or serious chronic disability: Could request and receive help to die if they meet the law's requirements.
• Health care professionals, especially doctors: Would have specific duties and could refuse on grounds of conscience.
• Public health services and private centers: Would have to guarantee the service, including at home.
• Insurance companies and mutual societies: Death by help to die would be considered equivalent to natural death for insurance purposes.
• Autonomous communities and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla: Would have to create Control and Evaluation Commissions.

Words worth knowing

Eutanasia (euthanasia)

Directly causing the death of a person who asks for it, to end their suffering.

Objeción de conciencia (conscientious objection)

A professional's right to refuse to perform an act that conflicts with their personal beliefs.

Instrucciones previas (advance directives)

A document stating what care a person wants or does not want if they later cannot decide.

Cuidados paliativos (palliative care)

Treatments that relieve suffering without seeking to cure the illness.

Ley orgánica (organic law)

A type of Spanish law reserved for major matters such as fundamental rights, requiring special majorities to pass.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries