Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698751070667.pdf (New Zealand)
End of Life Choice Bill Member’s Bill As reported from the committee of the whole House 269—3 End of Life Choice Bill Key to symbols used in reprinted bill As reported from the committee of the whole House text inserted text deleted David Seymour End of Life Choice Bill Member’s Bill Contents 1 2 2A 3 4 4A 5 5A Title Commencement Part 1 Preliminary provisions Purpose of Act Interpretation Meaning of person who is eligible for assisted dying or eligible person Meaning of competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying Act binds the Crown Part 2 Assisted dying Conscientious objection Effect of conscientious objection by attending medical practitioner Assisted dying must not be initiated by health practitioner Request made Request confirmed First opinion reached to be given by attending medical practitioner Second opinion reached to be given by independent medical practitioner Third opinion reached, if necessary to be given by psychiatrist if competence not established to satisfaction of 1 or both medical practitioners 269—3 Page 3 3 3 4 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 1 End of Life Choice Bill Negative decision made on requestOpinion reached that person is not eligible for assisted dying Positive decision made on requestOpinion reached that person is eligible for assisted dying Eligible person to choose date and time for administration of medication Lethal dose of medication chosenProvisional arrangements for administration of medication Lethal dose Administration of medication administered Death to be reported Destruction of prescription if no longer required No further action to be taken if person rescinds request to exercise option of receiving assisted dying No further action to be taken if pressure suspected Part 3 Accountability SCENZ Group Review cCommittee Registrar (assisted dying) Persons to provide information to rRegistrar Minister must present to House of Representatives copy of report under section 21 Review of operation of Act Attending medical practitioner to take no further action if coercion suspected Part 4 Related matters Regulations prescribing forms Other rights and duties not affected Advance directive, etc, may not provide for assisted dying Welfare guardians have no power to make decisions or take actions under this Act Effect on contracts of death under this Act Restrictions on making public details of assisted dying deaths Immunity from criminal liability Immunity from civil liability Offences Director-General may approve forms Amendments to other enactments Schedule Amendments to other enactments 14A 15 16 17 18 18A 18B 19 20 21 21A 21B 22 22A 23 24 24A 24B 25 25A 26 26A 27 27A 2828 2 End of Life Choice Bill Part 1 cl 2A The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows: 1 2 (1) Title This Act is the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
Commencement This Act comes into force 12 months after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

5 If a majority of electors voting in a referendum respond to the question in sub- section (1A) supporting this Act coming into force, this Act comes into force 12 months after the date on which the official result of that referendum is declared.
(1A) The wording of the question to be put to electors in a referendum for the pur- poses of subsection (1) of this section is— “Do you support the End of Life Choice Act 2017 coming into force?” (1B) The wording of the 2 options for which electors may vote in response to the question is— “Yes, I support the End of Life Choice Act 2017 coming into force.” “No, I do not support the End of Life Choice Act 2017 coming into force.” (1C) This section overrides any other enactment to the extent that the enactment spe- cifies any wording of the question or the options for the referendum that is dif- ferent from the wording in subsections (1A) and (1B).
If this Act does not come into force under subsection (1) within 5 years after the date on which it receives the Royal assent, this Act is repealed.

(2) (3) In this section, referendum— (a) means a referendum providing electors with an opportunity to decide whether this Act should come into force; and (b) includes any fresh referendum required to be held if the High Court, on a petition, declares the referendum under paragraph (a) to be void.
Part 1 Preliminary provisions 2A Purpose of Act The purpose of this Act is— 10 15 20 25 30 (a) (b) to give persons who have a terminal illness and who meet certain criteria the option of lawfully requesting medical assistance to end their lives; and to establish a lawful process for assisting eligible persons who exercise that option.
35 3 Part 1 cl 3 End of Life Choice Bill 3 Interpretation In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires another meaning,— approved form means a form approved and issued under section 27A assisted dying, in relation to a person, means— (a) (b) the administration by a an attending medical practitioner or an attending nurse practitioner of a lethal dose of medication to the person to relieve the person’s suffering by hastening death; or 5 the self-administration by the person of a lethal dose of medication to relieve their suffering by hastening death attending medical practitioner means, in relation to a person, means the per- son’s medical practitioner 10 attending nurse practitioner means a nurse practitioner who is acting under the instruction of an attending medical practitioner (or replacement medical practitioner) authority has the meaning given to it by section 5(1) of the Health Practition- ers Competence Assurance Act 2003 15 Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights means the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights prescribed by regulations made under section 74(1) of the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 competent means having the ability described in section 4(f) competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying has the meaning given to it in section 4A conscientious objection means an objection on the ground of conscience Director-General means the Director-General of Health eligible person has the meaning given to it in section 4 health practitioner has the meaning given to it by section 5(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 independent medical practitioner means a medical practitioner who is inde- pendent of an attending medical practitioner and the person a medical practi- tioner who,— (a) (b) in relation to a person who has requested to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying, is independent of the person and of the person’s attending medical practitioner (and any replacement medical practi- tioner); and has
 held, for at least the previous 5 years, a practising certificate, or the equivalent certification from an overseas authority responsible for the registration or licensing of medical practitioners 20 25 30 35 4 End of Life Choice Bill Part 1 cl 3 medical practitioner means a health practitioner who— (a) is, or is deemed to be, registered with the Medical Council of New Zea- land continued by section 114(1)(a) of the Health Practitioners Compe- tence Assurance Act 2003 as a practitioner of the profession of medi- cine; and (b) holds a current practising certificate medication, in relation to assisted dying, means a lethal dose of the medication mMinister means the Minister of the Crown who is responsible for the admin- istration of this Act— (a) (b) under the authority of a warrant; or under the authority of the Prime Minister mMinistry means the Ministry of Health nurse practitioner means a health practitioner who— (a) is, or is deemed to be, registered with the Nursing Council of New Zea- land continued by section 114(1)(a) of the Health Practitioners Compe- tence Assurance Act 2003 as a practitioner of the profession of nursing and whose scope of practice permits the performance of nurse practi- tioner functions; and (b) holds a current practising certificate 5 10 15 person who is eligible for assisted dying has the meaning given to it in sec- tion 4 20 pharmacist means a health practitioner who— (a) is, or is deemed to be, registered with the Pharmacy Council established by section 114(5) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 as a practitioner of the profession of pharmacy; and (b) holds a current practising certificate psychiatrist means a medical practitioner whose scope of practice includes psychiatry psychologist means a health practitioner who— (a) is, or is deemed to be, registered with the Psychologists Board continued by section 114(a) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 as a practitioner of the profession of
 psychology; and (b) holds a current practising certificate rRegistrar means the rRegistrar (assisted dying) nominated under section 21 rReview cCommittee means the committee established appointed under sec- tion 20 SCENZ means Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand SCENZ Group means the body established under section 19.
25 30 35 5 Part 1 cl 4 End of Life Choice Bill specialist means a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
4 (1) Meaning of person who is eligible for assisted dying or eligible person In this Act, person who is eligible for assisted dying or eligible person means a person who— (a) (b) is aged 18 years or over; and 5 is— (i) (ii) a person who has New Zealand citizenship as provided in the Citi- zenship Act 1977; or a permanent resident as defined in section 4 of the Immigration Act 2009; and 10 (c) suffers from— (i) a terminal illness that is likely to end the person’s life within 6 months; or (ii) a grievous and irremediable medical condition; and (c) (d) (e) suffers from a terminal illness that is likely to end the person’s life within 6 months; and 15 is in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability; and experiences unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that the person considers tolerable; and (f) has the ability to understand— (i) (ii) the nature of assisted dying; and the consequences for them of assisted dying.
(f) is competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying.

(2) A person is not a person who is eligible for assisted dying or an eligible per- son by reason only that the person— (a) (b) (c) is suffering from any form of mental disorder or mental illness; or has a disability of any kind; or is of advanced age.
20 25 4A Meaning of competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying In this Act, a person is competent to make an informed decision about assis- ted dying if the person is able to— 30 (a) (b) (c) understand information about the nature of assisted dying that is relevant to the decision; and retain that information to the extent necessary to make the decision; and use or weigh that information as part of the process of making the deci- sion; and 35 6 End of Life Choice Bill Part 2 cl 6 (d) communicate the decision in some way.
5 Act binds the Crown This Act binds the Crown.

Part 2 Assisted dying 5A Conscientious objection (1) A health practitioner is not under any obligation to assist any person who wishes to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying under this Act if the health practitioner has a conscientious objection to providing that assistance to the person.
(2) Subsection (1)— (a) applies despite any legal obligation to which the health practitioner is subject, regardless of how the legal obligation arises; but (b) does not apply to the obligation in section 6(2).
(3) An employer must not— (a) (b) deny to an employee any employment, accommodation, goods, service, right, title, privilege, or benefit merely because the employee objects on the grounds of conscience to providing any assistance referred to in sub- section (1); or provide or grant to an employee any employment, accommodation, goods, service, right, title, privilege, or benefit conditional upon the employee providing or agreeing to provide any assistance referred to in subsection (1).
5 10 15 20 (4) A person who suffers any loss by reason of any breach of subsection (3) is entitled to recover damages from the person responsible for that breach.

25 (5) 6 (1) In subsection (3), employee includes a prospective employee.
Effect of conscientious objection by attending medical practitioner This section applies if— (a) (b) a person informs the attending medical practitioner under section 8(1) that they wish to have exercise the option of receiving assisted dying; and the attending medical practitioner has an a conscientious objection to providing that option to the person (a conscientious objection).
(2) The attending medical practitioner must tell the person— (a) of their conscientious objection; and 30 35 7 Part 2 cl 7 End of Life Choice Bill (b) of the person’s right to ask the SCENZ Group for the name and contact details of a replacement medical practitioner.

(3) If the person chooses to have a replacement medical practitioner, all subsequent references in this Act to the attending medical practitioner (except in section 8(1)) are to the person’s replacement medical practitioner.
5 7 Assisted dying must not be initiated by health practitioner (1) A health practitioner who provides any health service to a person must not, in the course of providing that service to the person,— (a) initiate any discussion with the person that, in substance, is about assis- ted dying under this Act; or 10 (b) make any suggestion to the person that, in substance, is a suggestion that the person exercise the option of receiving assisted dying under this Act.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent a health practitioner from— (a) discussing with a person, at that person’s request, assisted dying under this Act; or 15 (b) providing information to a person, at that person’s request, about assisted dying under this Act.
(3) A health practitioner who contravenes subsection (1)— (a) is not to be treated as having committed an offence under section 27(1); but 20 (b) may under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 be found by the Health and Disability Commissioner or held by the Human Rights Review Tribunal to have acted in breach of the Code of Health and Disa- bility Services Consumers’ Rights by providing services that do not comply with relevant legal standards; and (c) may be the subject of disciplinary proceedings for professional miscon- duct under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
(4) In this section, health service has the meaning given to it by section 5(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

8 Request made (1) A person who wishes to have exercise the option of receiving assisted dying must inform the attending medical practitioner of their wish.
25 30 (2) The attending medical practitioner must— (a) give the person the following information: (i) (ii) (iii) the prognosis for the person’s terminal illness or grievous and irre- mediable medical condition; and 35 the irreversible nature of assisted dying; and the anticipated impacts of assisted dying; and 8 (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (i) End of Life Choice Bill Part 2 cl 9 personally communicate by any means (for example, by telephone or using social media electronic communication) with the person about the person’s wish at intervals determined by the progress of the person’s ter- minal illness or medical condition; and ensure that the person understands their other options for end-of-life care; and 5 ensure that the person knows that they can change their mind decide at any time before the administration of the medication not to receive the medication; and encourage the person to discuss their wish with others such as family, friends, and counsellors; and 10 ensure that the person knows that they are not obliged to discuss their wish with anyone; and ensure that the person has had the opportunity to discuss their wish with those whom they choose; and 15 do their best to ensure that the person expresses their wish free from pressure from any other person by— (i) (ii) conferring with other health practitioners who are in regular con- tact with the person; and conferring with members of the person’s family approved by the person; and 20 complete the first part of the prescribed form requesting the option of assisted dying by recording the actions the attending medical practitioner took to comply with paragraphs (a) to (h).
record the actions they have taken to comply with paragraphs (a) to (h) in the first part of the approved form that requests the option of receiving assisted dying.

9 (1) (2) (3) Request confirmed This section applies after the attending medical practitioner complies with sec- tion 8 is complied with.
If the person requesting to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying (A) wishes to proceed, the attending medical practitioner must give the person A the prescribed approved form requesting the option of assisted dying referred to in section 8(2)(i).

The person A must— (a) (b) sign and date the second part of the form; or be present when the second part of the form is signed and dated as described in subsection (4).
9 25 30 35 Part 2 cl 10 End of Life Choice Bill (4) The second part of the form may be signed and dated by a person other than the person to whom it relates another person (B) if— (a) (b) (c) (d) the person to whom it relates A cannot write for any reason; and the person to whom it relates A requests the other person B to sign and date it; and 5 the person who signs and dates the part B notes on it the form that they did so signed the second part of the form in the presence of the person to whom the form relates A; and the person who signs and dates the part B confirms on the form that B is not— 10 (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) a health practitioner caring for the person to whom the part relates A; or a person who knows that they stand to benefit from the death of the person to whom the part relates A; or a person aged under 18 years; or a person with a mental incapacity.
(5) The attending medical practitioner must— (a) be present when— (i) (ii) subsection (3)(a) is complied with; or subsections (3)(b) and (4) are complied with; and (b) (c) collect the form; and send the completed form to the rRegistrar.

10 (1) (2) First opinion reached to be given by attending medical practitioner This section applies after section 9 is complied with the attending medical practitioner complies with section 9(5)(c).
The attending medical practitioner must reach the opinion that— 15 20 25 (a) (b) (c) the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying is a person who is eligible for assisted dying; or the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying is not a per- son who is eligible for assisted dying; or 30 the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying would be a person who is eligible for assisted dying if the person’s competence it were established as described in under section 12 that the person was competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
(3) The attending medical practitioner must— 35 complete a prescribed an approved form recording their opinion; and send the completed form to the rRegistrar.

(a) (b) 10 End of Life Choice Bill Part 2 cl 12 11 (1) (2) Second opinion reached to be given by independent medical practitioner This section applies if the attending medical practitioner reaches the opinion described in section 10(2)(a) or (c).
The attending medical practitioner must— (a) (b) ask the SCENZ Group for the name and contact details of an independ- ent medical practitioner; and 5 ask the independent medical practitioner for their opinion on whether the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying is a person who is eligible for assisted dying.
(3) The independent medical practitioner must— 10 (a) (b) (c) read the person’s medical files; and examine the person; and reach the opinion that— (i) (ii) (iii) the person is a person who is eligible for assisted dying; or the person is not a person who is eligible for assisted dying; or 15 the person would be a person who is eligible for assisted dying if the person’s competence it were established as described in under section 12 that the person was competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
(4) The independent medical practitioner must— (a) (b) (c) complete a prescribed an approved form recording their opinion; and send the completed form to the rRegistrar; and send a copy of the completed form to the attending medical practitioner.
12 Third opinion reached, if necessary to be given by psychiatrist if competence not established to satisfaction of 1 or both medical practitioners (1) This section applies if— (a) the following situation exists: (i) (ii) the attending medical practitioner reaches the opinion described in section 10(2)(a); and the described in section 11(3)(c)(iii); or independent medical practitioner the opinion reaches (b) the following situation exists: (i) (ii) the attending medical practitioner reaches the opinion described in section 10(2)(c); and the described in section 11(3)(c)(i); or independent medical practitioner the opinion reaches 20 25 30 35 11 Part 2 cl 13 End of Life Choice Bill (c) the following situation exists: (i) (ii) the attending medical practitioner reaches the opinion described in section 10(2)(c); and the described in section 11(3)(c)(iii).
independent medical practitioner the opinion reaches (2) The medical practitioners must jointly— (a) (b) ask the SCENZ Group for the name and contact details of a specialist psychiatrist; and ask the specialist psychiatrist for their opinion on whether the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying is competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
(3) The specialist psychiatrist must— (a) (b) (c) read the person’s medical files; and examine the person; and reach the opinion that— (i) (ii) the person is competent to make an informed decision about assis- ted dying; or the person is not competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying.
(4) The specialist psychiatrist must— (a) (b) (c) complete a prescribed an approved form recording their opinion; and send the completed form to the rRegistrar; and send a copy of the completed form to— (i) (ii) the attending medical practitioner; and the independent medical practitioner.

Negative decision made on requestOpinion reached that person is not eligible for assisted dying Subsection (2) applies if the attending medical practitioner reaches the opin- ion described in section 10(2)(b).
The attending medical practitioner must explain the reasons for their opinion to the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying.
Subsection (4) applies if— (a) the independent medical practitioner reaches the opinion described in section 11(3)(c)(ii); or the following situation exists: (b) (i) a specialist psychiatrist is asked for their opinion under section 12(2)(b); and 13 (1) (2) (3) 12 End of Life Choice Bill Part 2 cl 14 (ii) the specialist psychiatrist reaches the opinion described in sec- tion 12(3)(c)(ii).
(4) The independent medical practitioner or the specialist psychiatrist, as appropri- ate, must meet the person with.

the attending medical practitioner must explain their reasons for their opinion to the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying to explain the reasons for their opinion to the person.

and the attending medical practitioner.


(5) The attending medical practitioner must— (a) (b) complete a prescribed an approved form recording the actions taken to comply with subsection (2) or (4); and send the completed form to the rRegistrar.
14 Positive decision made on requestOpinion reached that person is eligible for assisted dying (1) This section applies if— (a) the following situation exists: (i) (ii) the attending medical practitioner reaches the opinion described in section 10(2)(a); and the described in section 11(3)(c)(i); or independent medical practitioner the opinion reaches (b) the following situation exists: (i) a specialist psychiatrist is asked for their opinion under section 12(2)(b); and the specialist psychiatrist reaches the opinion described in sec- tion 12(3)(c)(i).
The attending medical practitioner must— (ii) (2) (a) (b) (c) advise the person requesting the option of receiving assisted dying that the person is a person who is eligible for assisted dying; and discuss with the person the progress of the person’s terminal illness or grievous and irremediable medical condition; and discuss with the person the likely timing of the assisted dying for the administration of the medication; and 30 (d) make provisional arrangements to be available to administer the medica- tion at the time indicated.
(d) (e) give the person an approved form for the person to complete by choos- ing the date and time for the administration of the medication; and 35 advise the person that at any time after completing the approved form referred to in paragraph (d) the person may decide— (i) not to receive the medication; or 13 Part 2 cl 14A End of Life Choice Bill (ii) to receive the medication at a time on a later date that is not more than 6 months after the date initially chosen for the administration of the medication.
(3) The attending medical practitioner must— (a) (b) complete a prescribed an approved form recording the actions taken to comply with subsection (2); and send the completed form to the rRegistrar.

5 10 15 14A Eligible person to choose date and time for administration of medication (1) If an eligible person wishes to receive assisted dying, the person must— (a) (b) complete the approved form referred to in section 14(2)(d); and return the completed form to the attending medical practitioner.
(2) After receiving the completed form, the attending medical practitioner must send the form to the Registrar.
(3) 15 (1) Each time (if any) that an eligible person decides under section 14 or 16 to receive the medication on a date later than the date initially chosen and speci- fied in the approved form referred to in section 14(2)(d),— (a) the eligible person must complete a new approved form to replace the form initially or most recently completed under section 14(2)(d) (a replacement form); and (b) references in sections 15 and 16 to the date chosen or chosen time are references to the date and time chosen in the replacement form.
20 Lethal dose of medication chosenProvisional arrangements for administration of medication This section applies after section 14 is complied with the attending medical practitioner complies with section 14A(2).

25 (2) When the person wishes to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying, they must inform the attending medical practitioner.
(3) The Before the date chosen by an eligible person for the administration of the medication, the attending medical practitioner must— (a) advise the person about the following methods for the administration of a lethal dose of the medication: 30 (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) ingestion, triggered by the person: intravenous delivery, triggered by the person: ingestion through a tube, triggered by the attending medical prac- titioner or an attending nurse practitioner: 35 injection administered by the attending medical practitioner or an attending nurse practitioner; and (b) ask the person to choose one of the methods; and 14 End of Life Choice Bill Part 2 cl 16 (c) (d) ask the person to choose the time for the administration of the medica- tion; and ensure that the person knows that they can change their mind at any time before the administration of the medication.
decide, at any time before the administration of the medication, not to receive the medication or to receive the medication at a time on a later date that is not more than 6 months after the date initially chosen for the administration of the medication; and (e) make provisional arrangements for the administration of the medication on the chosen day and time.
5 10 (4) At least 48 hours before the chosen time of for the administration of the medi- cation, the attending medical practitioner, or an attending nurse practitioner, must— (a) (b) write the appropriate prescription for the eligible person; and advise the rRegistrar of the method and of the date and time chosen for the administration of the medication.

15 (5) (6) The rRegistrar must check that the process processes in sections 8 to 14A has have been complied with.
If the rRegistrar is satisfied that the process processes in sections 8 to 14A has have been complied with, the rRegistrar must notify the attending medical practitioner accordingly.

16 Lethal dose Administration of medication administered (1) This section applies after section 15 is complied with the attending medical practitioner has received notification from the Registrar under section 15(6).
(2) At the chosen time of administration for the administration of the medication, the attending medical practitioner, or an attending nurse practitioner, must ask the eligible person if they choose to receive the medication.
choose— (a) (b) (c) to receive the medication at that time; or not to receive the medication at that time, but to receive the medication at a time on a later date that is not more than 6 months after the date ini- tially chosen for the administration of the medication; or not to receive the medication at that time, and to rescind their request to exercise the option of assisted dying.
20 25 30 (3) If the eligible person chooses not to receive the medication at the chosen time, the attending medical practitioner, or an attending nurse practitioner, must— 35 (a) (c) immediately remove take the medication away from the room eligible person; and complete a prescribed an approved form recording the action taken to comply with paragraph (a); and 15 Part 2 cl 17 End of Life Choice Bill (d) send the completed form to the rRegistrar.
(4) If the eligible person chooses to receive the medication, the attending medical practitioner, or the attending nurse practitioner, must— (a) (b) provide the medication to the person, for administration by either of the methods described in section 15(3)(a)(i) and (ii); or administer the medication by either of the methods described in section 15(3)(a)(iii) and (iv).
5 (5) The attending medical practitioner, or the attending nurse practitioner, must— (a) (b) be available to the eligible person until the person dies; or arrange for another medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner to be available to the person until the eligible person dies.
10 (6) For the purposes of subsection (5), the attending medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner is available to the eligible person if the medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner— (a) (b) is in the same room or area as the person; or is not in same room or area as the person but is in close proximity to the person.
17 Death to be reported (1) Within 14 working days of a person’s death as a result of the administration of medication under section 16, the attending medical practitioner, or the attend- ing nurse practitioner who provided or administered the medication on the instruction of the attending medical practitioner, must send the rRegistrar a report in the prescribed approved form containing the information described in subsection (2).
The information is— (2) (a) (b) (c) (d) (f) (g) the name of the attending medical practitioner’s name or attending nurse practitioner; and the person’s name; and the person’s last known address; and the fact that the person has died; and which of the methods described in section 15(3)(a) was used; and a description of the administration of the medication; and (h) whether any problem arose in the administration of the medication and, if so, how it was dealt with; and the place where the person died; and the date and time when the person died; and the name of the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who was avail- able to the person until the person died; and (i) (j) (k) 16 15 20 25 30 35 End of Life Choice Bill Part 2 cl 18B (l) the names of any other health practitioners who were present when the person died.
The rRegistrar must send the report to the rReview cCommittee.

Destruction of prescription if no longer required Subsection (2) applies if— (a) an attending medical practitioner, or an attending nurse practitioner, holds a prescription written under section 15(4)(a); and the medication is no longer required.
(b) (3) 18 (1) (2) The attending medical practitioner, or the attending nurse practitioner, must— (a) (b) (c) immediately destroy the prescription; and complete a prescribed an approved form recording the action taken to comply with paragraph (a); and send the completed form to the rRegistrar.
18A No further action to be taken if person rescinds request to exercise option of receiving assisted dying (1) This section applies if, at any time, an eligible person rescinds their request to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying.
(2) The attending medical practitioner or attending nurse practitioner must— 5 10 15 (a) (b) (c) complete an approved form recording that the person has rescinded their request; and 20 send the completed form to the Registrar; and take no further action in respect of the person’s request (other than under section 18, if applicable).

(3) If at any subsequent time the person wishes to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying, the person may make a new request under section 8.
25 18B No further action to be taken if pressure suspected If, at any time, the attending medical practitioner or attending nurse practi- tioner suspects on reasonable grounds that a person who has expressed the wish to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying is not expressing their wish free from pressure from any other person, the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must— 30 (a) (b) take no further action under this Act to assist the person in exercising the option of receiving assisted dying; and tell the person that they are taking no further action under this Act to assist the person in exercising the option of receiving assisted dying; and 35 (c) complete an approved form recording— 17 Part 3 cl 19 End of Life Choice Bill (i) that they are taking no further action under this Act to assist the person in exercising the option of receiving assisted dying; and (ii) the actions taken to comply with paragraph (b); and (d) send the form completed under paragraph (c) to the Registrar.
Part 3 Accountability 5 19 (1) SCENZ Group The Director-General must establish the SCENZ Group by appointing to it the number of medical practitioners members that the Director-General considers appropriate.

10 (1A) The Director-General must appoint members who the Director-General con- siders have, collectively, knowledge and understanding of matters relevant to the functions of the SCENZ Group.
(2) The functions of the SCENZ Group are— (a) to make and maintain a list of medical practitioners who are willing to act for the purposes of this Act as— 15 (i) (ii) replacement medical practitioners: independent medical practitioners: (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) to provide a name and contact details from the list maintained under paragraph (a), when this Act requires the use of a replacement medical practitioner or independent medical practitioner, in such a way as to ensure that that ensures that the attending medical practitioner does not choose the replacement medical practitioner or independent medical practitioner: 20 to make and maintain a list of health practitioners who are willing to act for the purposes of this Act as specialists psychiatrists: 25 to provide a name and contact details from the list maintained under paragraph (c), when this Act requires the use of a specialist psychia- trist, in such a way as to that ensures that neither the attending medical practitioner nor the independent medical practitioner chooses the spe- cialist psychiatrist: to make and maintain a list of pharmacists who are willing to dispense medication for the purposes of section 16: to provide a name and contact details from the list maintained under paragraph (e) when section 16 is to be applied: in relation to the administration of medication under section 16,— (i) to prepare standards of care; and (ii) to advise on the required medical and legal procedures; and 30 35 18 End of Life Choice Bill Part 3 cl 21 (3) 20 (1) (iii) to provide practical assistance if assistance is requested.
The mMinistry must service the SCENZ Group.

Review cCommittee The mMinister must appoint an end-of-life rReview cCommittee consisting of— 5 (a) (b) (c) (b) a medical ethicist; and a medical practitioner who practises in the area of end-of-life care; and another medical practitioner.

2 health practitioners, one of whom must be a medical practitioner who practises in the area of end-of-life care.
10 (2) The rReview cCommittee has the following functions: (a) (b) (c) to consider reports sent to it under section 17(3) (attending medical practitioner assisted death reports); and to report to the rRegistrar whether it considers that the information con- tained in an attending medical practitioner assisted death report shows satisfactory compliance with the requirements of this Act; and to direct the rRegistrar to follow up on any information contained in a medical practitioner an assisted death report that the rReview cCommit- tee considered did considers does not show satisfactory compliance with the requirements of this Act.
21 (1) Registrar (assisted dying) The Director-General must nominate an employee of the mMinistry as the rRegistrar (assisted dying).

(2) The rRegistrar must establish and maintain a register recording the following: (a) (b) (c) prescribed approved forms held by the rRegistrar; and the rReview cCommittee’s reports to the rRegistrar; and the rRegistrar’s reports to the mMinister.
(3) The rRegistrar must consult the Privacy Commissioner— (a) (b) before establishing the register; and at regular intervals while maintaining the register.
15 20 25 30 (4) If the rRegistrar receives a complaint about the appropriateness of the conduct of any person health practitioner under this Act that the rRegistrar considers relates to a matter more properly within the jurisdiction of any of the following persons, the rRegistrar must refer the complaint to that person: (a) to the Health and Disability Commissioner, if it appears that the com- plaint relates to a alleges that the conduct of the health practitioner is, or 35 19 Part 3 cl 21A End of Life Choice Bill appears to be, in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights; or (b) to the appropriate authority, if it appears that the complaint relates to a health practitioner’s competence, fitness to practise, or conduct; or (c) to the New Zealand Police.
(4A) If the rRegistrar does not refer a complaint under subsection (4), the rRegis- trar must notify the complainant of that fact and of the reason why a referral was not made.

(4B) The rRegistrar must take any action directed by the rReview cCommittee under (5) section 20(2)(c).
The rRegistrar must report to the mMinister by the end of 30 June each year on the following matters for the year: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) the total number of deaths occurring under section 16: the total broken down into number of deaths occurring through each of the methods described in section 15(3)(a): the number of complaints received about breaches of this Act: how the those complaints were dealt with: any other matter relating to the operation of this Act that the rRegistrar thinks appropriate.
5 10 15 (6) The rRegistrar must perform any other functions that this Act requires the rRegistrar to perform.

20 21A Persons to provide information to rRegistrar (1) This section applies to— (a) (b) (c) the Health and Disability Commissioner; and an authority; and the New Zealand Police.
(2) A person to whom this section applies must provide to the rRegistrar each year any information that the rRegistrar may require to enable the rRegistrar to report to the mMinister on the matters referred to in section 21(5)(c) and (d).

The information must be provided within the time and in the manner (which must be reasonable in the circumstances) specified by the rRegistrar (which must be reasonable in the circumstances).
(3) 21B Minister must present to House of Representatives copy of report under section 21 As soon as practicable after receiving a report under section 21(5), the mMinister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives.
25 30 35 20 End of Life Choice Bill Part 4 cl 24 22 (1) Review of operation of Act The mMinistry must, within 3 years after the commencement of this Act and then at subsequent intervals of not more than 5 years,— (a) (b) review the operation of this Act; and consider whether any amendments to this Act or any other enactment are necessary or desirable; and 5 (c) report on its findings to the mMinister.
(2) As soon as practicable after receiving a report under subsection (1)(c), the Minister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives.
22A Attending medical practitioner to take no further action if coercion 10 suspected If at any time the attending medical practitioner has reasonable grounds to sus- pect that a person who has expressed the wish to exercise the option of assisted dying is not expressing their wish free from pressure from any other person, the medical practitioner must— (a) (b) take no further action under this Act to assist the person in exercising that option; and tell the person that they are taking no further action under this Act to provide assisted dying services to the person; and (c) complete a prescribed form recording— (i) that they are taking no further action under this Act to assist the person in exercising the option of assisted dying; and (ii) the actions taken to comply with paragraph (b); and (d) send the form completed under paragraph (c) to the registrar.
Part 4 Related matters 15 20 25 23 Regulations prescribing forms The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations prescribing forms for the purposes of this Act.

providing for any matters contemplated by this Act, necessary for its administration, or necessary for giving it full effect.
30 24 Other rights and duties not affected (1) Nothing in this Act affects a person’s rights to— (a) (b) (c) refuse to receive nutrition: refuse to receive hydration: refuse to receive life-sustaining medical treatment.

35 21 Part 4 cl 24A End of Life Choice Bill (2) Nothing in this Act affects a medical practitioner’s duty to alleviate suffering in accordance with standard medical practice.
24A Advance directive, etc, may not provide for assisted dying (1) A person who wishes to request to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying under this Act must sign and date the approved form referred to in sec- tion 9(3) (the request form), and to the extent that any provision expressing such a wish is included by the person in an advance written or oral directive, will, contract, or other document that provision is invalid.
(2) A person who, after signing and dating the request form, wishes to rescind a request to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying under this Act must communicate that wish to the attending medical practitioner or the attending nurse practitioner orally, in writing (a rescind document), or by gesture and to the extent that any provision expressing such a wish is included by the person in an advance written or oral directive, will, contract, or other document (not being a rescind document) that provision is invalid.
(3) No particular form of words is required to rescind orally or in writing a request to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying under this Act.

24B Welfare guardians have no power to make decisions or take actions under this Act A welfare guardian appointed under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 for a person does not, in that capacity, have the power to make any decision, or take any action, under this Act for that person.
Effect on contracts of death under this Act A person who dies as a result of the provision of assisted dying is, for the pur- poses of any life insurance contract, or any other contract,— 25 (a) (b) taken to have died as if assisted dying had not been provided; and taken to have died from— (i) (ii) the terminal illness referred to in section 4(c)(i) from which they suffered; or the grievous and irremediable medical condition referred to in section 4(c)(ii) from which they suffered.
30 (b) taken to have died from the terminal illness referred to in section 4(c) from which they suffered.

25A Restrictions on making public details of assisted dying deaths (1) This section applies in respect of a death that was, or appears to be, the result of assisted dying under this Act.
35 (2) No person may make public in respect of any death to which this section applies— 22 End of Life Choice Bill Part 4 cl 26 (a) (b) (c) the method by which the medication was administered to the deceased: the place where the medication was administered to the deceased: the name of the person who administered the medication to the deceased, or the name of that person’s employer.
(3) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on con- 5 viction— (a) (b) to a fine not exceeding $20,000, in the case of a body corporate: to a fine not exceeding $5,000, in any other case.

(4) Nothing in this section applies in respect of court or tribunal proceedings or to reports or publications of those proceedings.
(5) In this section, make public means publish by means of— (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) broadcasting (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1989); or a newspaper (within the meaning of the Defamation Act 1992); or a book, journal, magazine, newsletter, or other similar document; or an audio or a visual recording; or an Internet site that is generally accessible to the public, or some other similar electronic means.
26 Immunity from criminal liability (1) A person (A) is immune from criminal liability if A, in good faith and believ- ing on reasonable grounds that another person (B) wishes to exercise the option of assisted dying,— 10 15 20 (a) (b) takes any action that assists or facilitates the dying of B in accordance with the requirements of this Act; or fails to take any action and that failure assists or facilitates the dying of B in accordance with the requirements of this Act.
25 (2) Subsection (1) applies even if that the doing of that thing, or the failure to do that thing, would constitute an offence under any other enactment.
(1) A health practitioner who does all or any of the following is immune from criminal liability under section 179 of the Crimes Act 1961 or any other enact- ment: (a) (b) (c) discusses with a person, at that person’s request and in accordance with sections 7 and 8 of this Act, assisted dying under this Act: provides to a person, at that person’s request and in accordance with sections 7 and 8 of this Act, information about assisted dying under this Act: gives a person the approved form referred to in section 8(2)(i) of this Act in accordance with section 9(2) of this Act and complies with sec- tion 9(5) of this Act: 30 35 23 Part 4 cl 26A End of Life Choice Bill (d) takes any other action that this Act authorises or requires them to take in respect of a person who requests to discuss, requests information about, or wishes or requests to exercise the option of receiving, assisted dying under this Act, and who has not yet been advised in accordance with this Act whether the person is a person who is eligible for assisted dying.
5 (2) The rest of this section applies if a person (A) is eligible to exercise the option of receiving assisted dying under this Act and wishes or requests to exercise that option.

(3) A has the right to request to exercise the option of assisted dying under this Act and does not commit an offence under any enactment by exercising that option.
10 (4) If another person (B) knows, or has reasonable grounds for believing, that A has requested to exercise the option of assisted dying under this Act, B is not justified— (a) (b) in using any force, under section 41 of the Crimes Act 1961, to prevent A from exercising that option; or 15 in using any force, under section 48 of the Crimes Act 1961, to defend A from an action being taken in respect of A and that this Act authorises or requires to be taken in respect of A.
(5) B, or any other person, is immune from criminal liability if B or that person, in good faith and believing on reasonable grounds that A wishes to exercise the option of assisted dying under this Act,— (a) (b) takes any action that causes, assists, or facilitates the death of A in accordance with the requirements of this Act (for example, an attending medical practitioner who, under section 16(4)(a), administers medica- tion to A in accordance with the requirements of this Act is immune from liability under the Crimes Act 1961 for the death of A); or fails to take any action and that failure causes, assists, or facilitates the death of A in accordance with the requirements of this Act (for example, an attending nurse practitioner who, under section 16(5)(a), is avail- able to A, and takes no action to revive A, is immune from liability under the Crimes Act 1961 for the death of A).
(6) Subsection (5) applies— (a) even if taking that action, or failing to take that action, would, but for subsection (5), constitute an offence under any enactment; and notwithstanding section 63 of the Crimes Act 1961.
(b) 20 25 30 35 26A Immunity from civil liability (1) A person (A) is immune from civil liability if A, in good faith and believing on reasonable grounds that another person (B) wishes to exercise the option of assisted dying,— 24 End of Life Choice Bill Part 4 cl 2828 (a) (b) takes any action that assists or facilitates the dying death of B in accord- ance with the requirements of this Act; or fails to take any action and that failure assists or facilitates the dying death of B in accordance with the requirements of this Act.
(2) Nothing in this section affects the right of any person to— (a) (b) bring disciplinary proceedings against a health practitioner under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003; or bring proceedings under section 50 or 51 of the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994; or (c) apply for judicial review.
27 Offences 5 10 (1) A person who is a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, or specialist psy- chiatrist commits an offence if the medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, or specialist psychiatrist wilfully fails to comply with any requirement of this Act.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person, without lawful excuse,— 15 (a) (b) completes or partially completes a prescribed an approved form for any other person without that other person’s consent; or alters or destroys a completed or partially completed prescribed approved form without the consent of the person who completed or par- tially completed the form.
20 (3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction to either or both of the following: (a) (b) imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months: a fine not exceeding $10,000.

27A Director-General may approve forms 25 The Director-General may approve and issue forms for the purposes of this Act.

2828 Amendments to other enactments Amend the enactments specified in the Schedule as set out in that schedule.
25 Schedule End of Life Choice Bill Schedule Amendments to other enactments s 28 Part 1 Amendments to Acts Burial and Cremation Act 1964 (1964 No 75) In section 2(1), definition of certificate of cause of death, replace “or 46C” with “, 46C, or 46CA”.

After section 46C, insert: 46CA Certificate of cause of death in relation to assisted dying (1) (2) This section applies if a person dies as a result of the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
The medical practitioner or nurse practitioner who was available to the person until the person died must, immediately after the person’s death, give a certifi- cate of cause of death.

(3) However, a certificate of cause of death must not be given under this section if the coroner has decided to open an inquiry into the death under Part 3 of the Coroners Act 2006.

In section 46D, replace “or 46C” with “46C, or 46CA”.
Coroners Act 2006 (2006 No 38) After section 13(2), insert: (2A) However, subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in any case in which the death was a result of the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.

In section 60(1)(a), after “self-inflicted”, insert “(other than as a result of the provi- sion of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017)”.
After section 71(1)(b), insert: (c) the death was a result of the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.

After section 71(3), insert: In this section, self-inflicted, in relation to a death, does not include a death that was the result of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017 (see section 25A of that Act, which restricts making public details of assisted dying deaths).
(4) 26 End of Life Choice Bill Schedule Crimes Act 1961 (1961 No 43) In section 41, insert as subsection (2): (2) However, a person who knows or has reasonable grounds for believing that a person has requested the option of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017 is not justified under subsection (1) in using any force to prevent the person from exercising that option.

(2) This section is subject to section 26 of the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
In section 48, insert as subsection (2): (2) However, a person is not justified under subsection (1) in using any force to defend any other person who is taking any action that they are required or authorised to take under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.

This section is subject to section 26 of the End of Life Choice Act 2017.

(2) After section 179(3), insert: (4) This section is subject to section 26 of the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
Health Act 1956 (1956 No 65) In section 22B, replace the definition of services with: services has the same meaning as in section 6(1) of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, and includes assisted dying services provided under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
In section 112B, replace the definition of health information with: health information has the meaning set out in paragraphs (a) and (c) of the definition of that term in section 22B, but does not include information about assisted dying services provided under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 (1994 No 88) In section 2(1), replace the definition of health consumer with: health consumer includes— (a) (b) any person on or in respect of whom any health care procedure is carried out; and any person who, under the End of Life Choice Act 2017, requests to receive assisted dying.
30 After section 30(b)(i), insert: (ia) health consumers who, under the End of Life Choice Act 2017, request to receive assisted dying; and In section 2(1), definition of health services, replace paragraph (a)(vii) with: (vii) diagnostic services: 35 (viii) services provided to a person who has requested assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017; and 27 Schedule End of Life Choice Bill New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 (2000 No 91) In section 6(1), replace the definition of services with: services means— (a) (b) (c) health services; and disability support services; and 5 services provided to a person who has requested assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017 Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (1988 No 4) After section 18(1)(f), insert: (g) to request, on behalf of the person, the option of receiving assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
10 Part 2 Amendments to legislative instruments Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration (Prescribed Information) Regulations 1995 (SR 1995/183) Replace regulation 7(1)(a)(xiii) with: (xiii) the cause or causes of the person’s death, subject to subpara- graph (xiiia): (xiiia) in respect of a person who died as a result of the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017, the ter- minal illness or medical condition that gave rise to the person’s eligibility for assisted dying: (xiiib) in respect of a person who died as a result of the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017, the fact that the person died as a result of the provision of assisted dying under that Act: (xiiic) the interval between the onset of the cause of death and the death, in respect of each cause of death, subject to subparagraph (xiiid): (xiiid) in respect of a person who died as a result of the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017, the interval between the onset of the terminal illness or medical con- dition that gave rise to the person’s eligibility for assisted dying and the person’s death by assisted dying: Cremation Regulations 1973 (SR 1973/154) In regulation 7(1)(a), replace “or 46C(1)” with “, 46C, or 46CA”.
28 15 20 25 30 35 End of Life Choice Bill Schedule Cremation Regulations 1973 (SR 1973/154)—continued In Schedule 1, form B, replace “or 46C(1)” with “, 46C, or 46CA”.

In Schedule 1, form B, replace items 6 and 7 with: 6 7 Did you attend the deceased before the deceased’s death?

If so, for how long?

[state how many weeks, months, or years.]

If you attended the deceased before the deceased’s death, when did you last see the deceased alive?

[state how many hours or days before death.]


5 In Schedule 1, form B, item 8, delete “Period elapsing between onset of each condi- tion and death (years, months, or days).” In Schedule 1, form B, replace item 9(a) with: (a) immediate cause—the disease, injury, or complication that caused the death, or assisted dying?

[specify] 10 In Schedule 1, form B, replace item 10 with: 10 What was the mode of death if other than by assisted dying?
[specify] In Schedule 1, form B, replace item 14 with: 14 In view of your knowledge of the deceased’s habits and constitution, do you feel any doubt whatever as to the cause of the deceased’s death?
[specify] 15 In Schedule 1, form B, replace the paragraph immediately following item 17 with: I certify that the answers given above are true and accurate to the best of my know- ledge and belief, and that there is no circumstance known to me that can give rise to any suspicion that the death was due wholly or in part to any other cause than that stated that makes it desirable that the body should not be cremated.
Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996 (SR 1996/78) In the Schedule, clause 4, replace the definition of services with: services— (a) means— 20 25 (i) (ii) (iii) health services; and disability services; and the provision of assisted dying under the End of Life Choice Act 2017; and 30 (b) includes health care procedures.
In the Schedule, after clause 5, insert: 5A End of Life Choice Act 2017 (1) This clause sets out how this Code operates with the End of Life Choice Act 2017 (the EOLC Act).
35 29 Schedule End of Life Choice Bill Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996 (SR 1996/78)—continued (2) (3) (4) For Right 4(2) of this Code, contravening section 7(1) of the EOLC Act may be found or held to be providing services that do not comply with relevant legal standards.

Right 6(1)(b) and (c), and (2) of this Code is overridden by section 7 (assisted dying must not be initiated by health practitioner) of the EOLC Act.
5 Right 7(2) to (5) of this Code is overridden by section 4A (meaning of com- petent to make an informed decision about assisted dying) of the EOLC Act.

(5) Under clause 5 of this Code (and without limiting that clause), nothing in this Code requires a provider to act in breach of any duty or obligation imposed by the EOLC Act or prevents a provider from doing an act authorised by the EOLC Act.
Health (Retention of Health Information) Regulations 1996 (SR 1996/343) In regulation 2, replace the definition of services with: services has the same meaning as in section 6(1) of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, and includes assisted dying services provided under the End of Life Choice Act 2017.
10 15 8 June 2017 13 December 2017 9 April 2019 26 June 2019 23 October 2019 Legislative history Introduction (Bill 269–1) First reading and referral to Justice Committee Reported from Justice Committee (Bill 269–2) Second reading Committee of the whole House (Bill 269–3) Wellington, New Zealand: Published under the authority of the House of Representatives—2019 30