The Legislative Assembly of Emilia-Romagna has approved a regional law on end-of-life matters regulating procedures for medically assisted suicide, in line with principles established by the Constitutional Court. Emilia-Romagna thus becomes the third Italian region, after Tuscany and Sardinia, to adopt legislation on the subject. A total of 19 ASLs across Italy now operate under defined regional procedures.

The bill was approved with votes in favor from PD, Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, Civici, and Movimento 5 Stelle, while Fratelli d'Italia, Forza Italia, Lega, and Rete Civica voted against. The proposal, first signed by Paolo Trande (Avs), also stems from the popular initiative "Liberi Subito," promoted by the Luca Coscioni association and filed in 2023 with 7,300 signatures, later combined with the majority's text during committee review.

The law regulates access to medically assisted suicide for persons affected by irreversible conditions causing physical or psychological suffering deemed intolerable, kept alive by life-sustaining treatments, and capable of making free and informed decisions, according to criteria set by the Constitutional Court. The obligation to inform the patient about all available therapeutic alternatives, including palliative care, remains in place.

Verification of eligibility is entrusted to a multidisciplinary evaluation committee (CoVam), composed of various healthcare professionals including a palliative care physician, psychiatrist, anesthesiologist, forensic doctor, psychologist, and nurse. The committee also relies on the non-binding opinion of the Regional Committee for Clinical Ethics. The procedure is free of charge and, following amendments approved in committee, the first visit takes place at the patient's location; persons indicated by the patient may be heard, and activities related to assisted suicide are performed exclusively by voluntary personnel. The Legislative Assembly is required to review the law's implementation annually.

Regional President Michele de Pascale justified the choice citing the absence of national legislation, stating that the regional law serves to ensure uniform application of the principles established by the Constitutional Court and clearer rules than before.

The Luca Coscioni association announced its intention to bring the proposal to all regions, with the aim of ensuring uniform procedures nationwide. According to the association, the approval in Emilia-Romagna represents a result achieved in light of the absence of national legislation on end-of-life matters.