Maine

Overview

Maine's Death with Dignity Act (LD 1313) was signed by Governor Janet Mills on June 12, 2019 and took effect September 19, 2019. It passed by a narrow margin in the legislature (74–69 in the House) and follows Oregon's model with minor variations. Maine allows NPs to participate as attending providers in underserved areas.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a Maine resident
• Must be 18 or older
• Must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less
• Must have decision-making capacity
• Two oral requests at least 15 days apart
• One written request signed by two witnesses
• Two providers confirm eligibility
• Mental health referral required if capacity is in doubt

Notable Features

• Nurse practitioners may serve as attending providers in certain areas
• The law includes explicit non-discrimination protections for patients in nursing facilities
• Maine CDC tracks and publishes annual reports

Key Resources

• Maine CDC — maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc
• Death with Dignity Maine
• Compassion & Choices — compassionandchoices.org

Legal Contacts

• Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) — Official source for Maine's Death with Dignity Act forms, reporting requirements, and programme information. maine.gov/dhhs (search "Death with Dignity")
• Compassion & Choices Maine — Provides patient advocacy, physician referrals, and practical support for Maine residents throughout the DWDA process. compassionandchoices.org
• Death with Dignity National Center — Educational resources and legislative updates for Maine's law. deathwithdignity.org

Medical Contacts

• Maine Medical Association — Professional body for Maine physicians; consult for current guidance on DWDA participation and physician obligations under state law.
• Compassion & Choices Physician Referral Service — Helps Maine patients locate willing providers, particularly in rural areas where access may be limited. compassionandchoices.org
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) — National resource for palliative medicine education and MAID physician referrals. aahpm.org

Important: Contact details and eligibility requirements change. Always verify information directly with each organisation before taking any action.