Overview

• The Senate Justice and Health Commissions approved a four-article base text on July 2, with all opposition parties voting against it.
• The draft recognizes the right to life as a fundamental right without the phrase “from conception to natural death” and modifies the Penal Code to remove punishments for those assisting once a National Evaluation Committee certifies eligibility.
• A seven-member National Evaluation Committee, including a jurist, bioethicist, anesthesiologist, palliative care specialist, psychiatrist, psychologist and nurse, will be appointed by prime ministerial decree for renewable five-year terms.
• The bill bars the use of public health service personnel, equipment and drugs in assisted dying procedures and mandates that regions submit annual palliative care enhancement plans under Health Ministry oversight.
• The Luca Coscioni Association has collected over 25,000 signatures toward its 50,000-signature popular initiative and the Constitutional Court is set to hear a related euthanasia case on July 8.