Trenton, New Jersey — A federal appeals court has ruled that New Jersey may limit access to its medically assisted suicide law to state residents, rejecting challenges brought by terminally ill patients from neighboring states. According to reporting from the Associated Press, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal, concluding that assisted suicide is not a fundamental right the state must make available to non-residents.
The case centered on New Jersey’s Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, which requires patients to make two requests — one written and witnessed by two people — and to self-administer the prescribed life-ending medication. Plaintiffs included a Delaware woman with stage 4 lymphoma who died shortly after oral arguments, a Pennsylvania woman with metastatic breast cancer, and a New Jersey physician. They argued the residency requirement violated constitutional protections and unfairly burdened terminally ill individuals seeking the option.
Judge Stephanos Bibas, writing for the appeals panel, acknowledged the emotional and moral complexity of end-of-life decisions but said states have the authority to regulate or prohibit assisted suicide. The court noted that some states allow the practice only for residents, others maintain criminal bans, and Oregon and Vermont have opened access to everyone.
New Jersey is one of 11 states, plus Washington, D.C., that permit medical aid in dying under strict safeguards.
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