West Virginia voters will consider amendment to ban physician-assisted suicide

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — A controversial amendment to prevent physician-assisted suicide will be up for voters in November to decide. If this is approved, West Virginia would be the first state in the nation to formally do so.

In the final hours of 2024’s legislative session, lawmakers passed a little talked-about item to be added to the fall ballot.

House Joint Resolution 28 proposes amending West Virginia’s constitution to prevent any medical professional from committing euthanasia, or from helping a patient commit suicide.

Critics say current law already makes it illegal, but supporters argue it adds additional safeguards.

“It’s to help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our state. Those are individuals who have illnesses, that are going through a lot. And this will protect them from being encouraged to commit suicide,” said bill co-sponsor Del. Chris Pritt (R) Kanawha.

“Restoring Reproductive freedom, we should be voting on that. But the Republicans won’t let us vote on it because they know what the outcome will be, just like in every other state. So, instead, they put this meaningless Constitutional Amendment on that’s banning something that’s already banned,” said Del. Mike Pushkin (D) Kanawha – State Party Chair.

The resolution to pass the ballot initiative won with 88 delegates voting yes and only 10 voting no. It also passed the Senate by a similar margin.

Even if physician-assisted suicide is outlawed, it will not prevent patients from choosing to stop taking life-saving medications or stop them from enforcing “Do Not Resuscitate” orders.

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