Puglia councilors propose law on medically assisted death procedures

Regional councilors Napoleone Cera and Marcello Lanotte have submitted a legislative proposal in Puglia regarding the organizational management of medically assisted death requests within the regional health service.

The 14-article proposal does not seek to change the legal requirements for accessing assisted suicide, which remains under national jurisdiction, but focuses on the administrative and clinical procedures for handling requests. Key provisions include making palliative care a priority alternative option and establishing a permanent multidisciplinary commission within each local health authority (Asl).

These commissions would consist of seven professionals, including experts in palliative care, neurology, psychiatry, anesthesiology, legal medicine, clinical psychology, and nursing. The proposal also outlines that the administration of medication should be performed by the individual with healthcare assistance, and that the process can take place in hospitals, hospices, or at the requester's home. The entire procedure is intended to be free of charge, with the right to revoke a request at any time.