A Kentucky representative has filed legislation that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in the commonwealth, but the bill would not allow that definition in state law.
House Bill 408, sponsored by Rep. Adrielle Camuel, D-Lexington, would establish a process for terminally ill Kentuckians to request and self-administer life-ending medication.
“I am proud of the work that has been put into crafting a compassionate bill that creates a comprehensive legal framework allowing terminally ill, mentally capable adults in Kentucky to obtain and self-administer life-ending medication under strict safeguards, with multiple physician consultations, waiting periods, and documentation requirements,” Camuel said in emailed comments to Kentucky Today.
HB 408, also known as “Rena’s Law,” is named in memory of Rena Baer, a friend of Camuel who died in July 2025 after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. Baer asked Camuel to file a Death with Dignity bill after receiving her diagnosis.
Under HB 408, Kentuckians who are 18 years of age and older, mentally capable, been determined by both an attending and consulting physician, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant licensed in the state to have a terminal illness that will likely end in death within six months and have “voluntarily expressed the wish to die” can make a request for life-ending medication.
Two witnesses have to sign the written request attesting to their belief that the patient “is mentally capable, acting voluntarily, and not being coerced to sign the request.” At least one of the witnesses cannot be a relative of the patient, someone who would be entitled to any portion of the patient’s estate after death or an owner, operator or employee of a health care facility where the patient is being treated or residing.
Several waiting periods would precede a Kentuckian receiving medication. A written request cannot be submitted until 15 days following an oral request, and another oral request must reiterate the patient’s initial request at least 15 days after his or her first oral request. The attending physician must offer an opportunity to rescind the request 48 hours after the patient signs his or her written request.
Kentuckians can rescind a request at any time.
If a provider believes the patient is suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder or depression that impairs his or her judgment, the patient will be referred for counseling until the counselor “determines that the patient is not experiencing impaired judgment.”
HB 408 does not allow Kentucky healthcare providers to directly end a patient’s life “by lethal injection, mercy killing, or active euthanasia.”
The act does provide conscience protections for physicians, who will not be required to provide medication to a qualified patient who requests to end his or her own life under the act. Healthcare providers can also adopt policies that prohibit physician-assisted suicide on premises they own, manage or control, and prevent employees or contractors from participating in HB 408’s process in the course of their duties. Those same health care providers, however, cannot bar employees or contractors from participating in the act outside the scope of their employment duties.
While Camuel said HB 408 could be characterized as a medical aid in dying bill, actions taken under her legislation would not be categorized as suicide or physician-assisted suicide under state law. The cause of death for Kentuckians who self-administer the medication would be recorded as “related to the terminal disease of the qualifying patient.”
“The decision is not considered suicide, as the underlying cause of death is the terminal illness itself, not a desire to end life if it were not already ending,” Camuel said.
Camuel said her bill is about compassion for Kentuckians facing the end of their lives.
“Medical aid in dying gives these individuals the option to have a peaceful death on their own terms, rather than enduring prolonged suffering. The choice is typically made by individuals with terminal illnesses—usually with six months or less to live—who want to avoid a lingering, painful death. This is about fundamental compassion and respecting the autonomy of people in their most vulnerable moments.”
House Bill 408 was introduced in the House on January 15 and referred to the Health Services committee on January 23.
By Tessa Redmond, Kentucky Today
