States of Jersey approve first reading of assisted suicide bill

Jersey States have approved the first reading of the island’s Assisted Dying Bill. This follows the decision in May 2024 to approve the introduction of assisted suicide in the States of Jersey.

The new laws would allow someone who has a terminal illness and who is experiencing, or expected to experience, unbearable suffering to choose to end their life with the help of a medical professional. A person would need to have been a resident in Jersey for at least a year to be eligible under the new laws.

The draft legislation was published in September and has undergone scrutiny and public consultation before being voted on. The first reading passed with 32 for and 14 against.

Jersey’s Assisted Dying Review Panel, however, said they needed to take a closer look at the details before the law was finalised. This work will be done before the bill moves to the Second Reading.

These laws would be on track to make assisted suicide legal in Jersey by 2027, making it one of the first of the British Isles to introduce such legislation, along with the Isle of Man.

The States of Jersey also voted to approve a new law that would require the health minister to provide end-of-life care for the last year of a person’s life. Supporters said this would ensure “real choice for people who are dying”.

Christian leaders in Jersey lead prayers outside the States building on Sunday. The prayers were attended by 200 people under the banner ‘Walk for Life’ and organisers said they were there to share their “great concern for the unintended consequences of the introduction of assisted dying, that has been expressed over the last few years”.

The legislation will now move to a Second and Third Reading before potentially becoming law. The Second Reading is scheduled for 24th February and the legislative process could be completed by the end of the month.