Supporters of Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Assisted Dying Bill will gather outside Tynwald for the next debate in the critical Clauses stage on Tuesday (July 9).
Next week’s debate comes after MHKs voted on July 1 against attempts to further delay the Bill, rejecting 12-11 a proposal of a referendum to be held which would have delayed any legislation coming into effect.
Debates over the last few months have seen large majorities backing key Clauses, and constructive amendments to the Bill.
Delay Blocked
In the first session, MHKs voted by a large margin for the eligibility of assisted dying to be for those who have been given a prognosis of 12 months left to live and voted for eligibility for assisted dying to be open only to those who have been resident of the Isle of Man for a minimum of five years.
At the second session, attempts to severely limit access for eligible patients and to remove the choice from healthcare entirely were defeated.
During the third session MHKs voted in favour of limiting assisted dying to self-administration, removing the possibility of a doctor directly ending the life of their patient.
On June 25, MHKs also rejected 14 to 9 an amendment to postpone the debate until after the Summer recess in November, and voted down further amendments to postpone the debates on other clauses.
Assisted Dying Bill
After the Clauses stage the Bill is expected to receive a Third Reading in the House of Keys in the coming months.
If it passes this stage it will progress onto the Legislative Council for further debate and scrutiny.
The Bill could then receive Royal Assent as soon as next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying potentially available to terminally ill Manx residents from 2027.
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