Bill debate on euthanasia, assisted death and suicide: FOI release

Information requested

All the most recent information held by the government concerning any euthanasia, assisted death, or suicide legislation currently being debated as a bill, if such a current bill exists, between the dates of 3/5/2023 - 3/5/2024 respectively.

Response

On 27 March 2024, Liam McArthur MSP (Liberal Democrats) introduced his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. This is a Member’s Bill, meaning that it was introduced by a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) who is not a Scottish Government Minister. As such, it is not a Scottish Government Bill or policy and the Scottish Government has had no involvement in the drafting of the Bill. This has been carried out by the Scottish Parliament Non-Government Bills Unit on behalf of Mr McArthur MSP. Mr McArthur has made all of the information about his Bill, including his consultation, available through his own website on Assisted Dying: Assisted Dying – Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

As the Bill is currently at stage 1, it is now the role of the Scottish Parliament Health, Social Care and Sport Committee to scrutinise the Bill and call for evidence, however no committee sessions or debates on the Bill have yet taken place. It is for the Committee to determine the timetable for consideration of the Bill.

Further information on the Bill, including a copy of the Bill, as introduced, and its accompanying documents, can be found on the Scottish Parliament website at Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults
(Scotland) Bill – Bills (proposed laws) – Scottish Parliament | Scottish Parliament Website. 

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