Wisconsin and Assisted Suicide

Rep. Frank Boyle (D-Superior) and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) have once again introduced their bills to legalize assisted suicide.  The measures are similar to the law that legalized assisted suicide in Oregon. 

The two legislators have introduced such bills in session after session.  Each time, the bills have languished in committee, never progressing to a vote by either legislative chamber.

Promotion of legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia is not new in Wisconsin.  In 1975, Rep. Lloyd Barbee (D-Milwaukee) introduced a "right-to-die" bill (AB1207) that would have permitted persons as young as 7-years-old to request that their lives be terminated.  The measure would also have permitted "any person 14 years of age or older to terminate the life of the requestor."   (Text of Barbee bill)

Description & link to text of Boyle and Risser's 2007 bills