THE earliest that an assisted-dying law could come into force in Jersey is mid-2027, according to the latest update from the government.
The Health Minister issued instructions in November to begin drafting legislation that will provide a legal framework for terminally ill adults to end their lives under carefully defined conditions.
This comes after a landmark vote in the States Assembly in May in which politicians approved the creation of an assisted-dying service for Islanders with terminal illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases.
In the UK, meanwhile, an Assisted Dying Bill recently passed its second reading in the House of Commons, which allows further scrutiny and discussion of the proposed law.
A newly published government document has outlined the drafting process and timeline for implementing the local law, with the draft version expected to go before the States Assembly before the end of 2025.
If approved, it will require an 18-month implementation period, meaning the earliest the law could come into force is mid-2027.
The proposed framework will include eligibility criteria and safeguards stipulating that assisted dying will only be available to adults with a terminal illness who are suffering unbearably and are making a voluntary and informed choice. There will also be a minimum 14-day period between a formal request and the act itself.
Health professionals will be able to opt out, giving them the right to refuse to participate, and an oversight committee will be set up to monitor the process.
The update builds on a 2021 decision in which the States Assembly supported assisted dying “in principle”, a step that signalled formal approval to explore the concept and set a path for the current proposals.
These proposals also reflect input from public consultations, ethical reviews and professional engagement.
