Death With Dignity Act Bill Adding ARNPs Becomes Law!

Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5179 into law on April 6, 2023, increasing access to provisions of the Death With Dignity Law.  The law, which becomes effective July 23, 2023, expands ARNP scope of practice. The bill and related documents can be accessed at https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5179&Year=2023&Initiative=false.

The health care providers authorized to perform the duties of the act will include advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants who may serve as an attending or consulting health care provider as long as a physician or osteopathic physician serves in one of the roles (both are required by the law).  The attending and consulting qualified medical providers chosen by the patient may not have a direct supervisory relationship with each other. In the event either an attending or consulting qualified medical provider refers the patient to counseling, the types of providers who may provide counseling to patients under the act are expanded to include independent clinical social workers, advanced social workers, mental health counselors, and psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners. There are additional provisions of the law that improve access for patients.

Many thanks to Darrell Owens who testified on behalf of the bill. He is an internationally recognized palliative care nurse practitioner whose testimony informed legislator of the expertise NPs such as himself will bring to the care of patients who chose to utilize the Death with Dignity Act.  ARNPs United's also thanks Devon Connor-Green, our lobbyist, was also influential in securing passage of the bill