Bill Summary
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to explicitly prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any laws that would allow euthanasia or assisted suicide within the district. Specifically, it aims to add a provision that prevents the Council from adopting any acts or regulations related to assisted suicide, aligning with federal restrictions outlined in the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997. Additionally, the bill proposes the repeal of the District's existing Death With Dignity Act of 2016, which currently permits physician-assisted suicide under certain conditions. Overall, this legislation reflects a move to ban euthanasia and assisted suicide in Washington, D.C.
Possible Impacts
The proposed legislation to prohibit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the District of Columbia could affect people in several ways:
1. **Impact on Terminally Ill Patients**: Individuals with terminal illnesses or debilitating conditions seeking to end their suffering through euthanasia or assisted suicide would be directly affected. This legislation removes their option for a dignified and self-directed end-of-life choice, potentially leading to prolonged suffering and a lack of control over their circumstances.
2. **Legal and Healthcare Professionals**: Doctors and healthcare providers may face constraints in their ability to discuss or recommend end-of-life options. The prohibition could lead to legal consequences for those who might wish to assist patients in exercising their autonomy regarding end-of-life decisions, thereby impacting the practice of medicine and the patient-provider relationship.
3. **Public Debate and Moral Implications**: The legislation could ignite significant public discourse about the ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide. This could lead to divisions within the community, as some may support the prohibition based on moral or religious beliefs, while others may advocate for the right to choose. Such discussions could influence future legislative efforts and shape the social landscape regarding end-of-life care in the District of Columbia.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7196 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2026
Mr. Barrett (for himself and Mr. Crawford) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PROHIBITING DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FROM ENACTING LAW TO PERMIT
EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE.
(a) Prohibition.--Section 602(a) of the District of Columbia Home
Rule Act (sec. 1-206.02(a), D.C. Official Code) is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (9);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (10) and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(11) enact any act, resolution, rule, regulation,
guidance, or other law to permit any person to carry out any
activity, or to reduce the penalties imposed with respect to
any activity, to which subsection (a) of section 3 of the
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C.
14402) applies (taking into consideration subsection (b) of
such section)''.
(b) Repeal of Existing Law.--The Death With Dignity Act of 2016
(sec. 7-661.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code) is repealed.
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