end-of-life decisions; terminally ill individuals

Arizona's SB 1404 allows terminally ill adult residents with decision-making capacity to obtain a physician-prescribed medication for self-administration to end their life peacefully. The bill requires two physicians (an attending physician and a consulting physician) to confirm the terminal illness diagnosis, assess capacity, and ensure the individual understands all treatment options, including palliative care and hospice. It mandates counseling by a mental health professional to rule out depression, a written request witnessed by two non-related individuals, and a 15-day waiting period before the prescription is issued. The law strictly prohibits coercion, requires the medication to be self-administered (not injected), and emphasizes informed decision-making about all available alternatives.