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HB 1215

Removing references to pregnancy from the model directive form under the natural death act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Fitzgibbon and 6 co-sponsors

Washington removes pregnancy-related language from advance directive forms to ensure pregnant individuals retain full autonomy over end-of-life medical decisions.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 1215

Legislative bill overview

HB 1215 amends Washington's Natural Death Act by removing pregnancy-specific language from the model directive form that allows individuals to document end-of-life wishes. The bill eliminates provisions that previously required different treatment or restrictions for pregnant individuals when executing advance directives, bringing the form into alignment with current medical and legal standards.

Why is this important

Advance directive forms are critical legal documents that ensure a person's medical wishes are honored if they become unable to communicate. Removing pregnancy-specific language clarifies that individuals retain full autonomy over their end-of-life decisions regardless of pregnancy status, and modernizes language that some viewed as outdated or potentially restrictive. This affects anyone in Washington who executes or might execute an advance directive.

Potential points of contention

  • Reproductive autonomy vs. fetal considerations: Opponents may argue that pregnancy warrants special legal protections for potential life, while supporters contend individuals should retain full decision-making authority over their own medical treatment
  • Clarity of medical intent: Questions exist about whether removing pregnancy language creates ambiguity for healthcare providers in genuinely complex scenarios involving pregnant patients and end-of-life decisions
  • Ideological divide: The bill reflects ongoing national disagreement about pregnancy's legal status and whether pregnant individuals should have different rights regarding medical decision-making

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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