Since 2023, Wisconsin’s “Death with Dignity” law—Wis. Stat. § 71.074—has remained on hold, meaning that as of 2026 the statute is still unenforceable. The 2022 voter referendum narrowly rejected the measure, and the subsequent legal challenges that temporarily revived it were dismissed by the state Supreme Court in early 2024. Consequently, physicians in Wisconsin cannot legally prescribe medication for physician‑assisted suicide, and patients must seek end‑of‑life options in neighboring states where the practice is permitted.
Current Legal Status
Wisconsin’s statutes continue to criminalize the act of prescribing lethal medication for a competent adult who wishes to end their own life (Wis. Stat. § 71.074(1)). The 2023 referendum amendment, which would have removed the criminal penalties, failed by a margin of 1.2 %. The court’s 2024 decision reaffirmed the existing ban, citing the legislature’s clear intent to maintain the prohibition until a new law is enacted by the General Assembly.
Recent Legislative Activity
Between 2024 and 2025, several bipartisan bills were introduced to revisit physician‑assisted death, but none advanced beyond committee hearings. Advocacy groups report that public opinion has shifted: a 2025 poll showed 55 % of Wisconsinites now support some form of medical aid in dying, up from 42 % in 2020. Despite growing support, the political climate remains cautious, and no new legislation has been signed into law.
Practical Implications for Patients
Patients in Wisconsin who desire a medically assisted death must travel to states such as Oregon, Washington, or Colorado, where statutes explicitly permit the practice. Out‑of‑state travel can impose financial, emotional, and logistical burdens. Palliative care options within Wisconsin have expanded, with hospice programs emphasizing pain management and quality‑of‑life interventions, but they do not include physician‑assisted dying.
What Healthcare Providers Must Know
Physicians must continue to comply with Wis. Stat. § 71.074, which defines the act of prescribing or administering a lethal dose as a felony. Documentation of end‑of‑life wishes should focus on advance directives and do‑not‑resuscitate (DNR) orders. Any discussion that could be interpreted as encouraging assisted suicide risks disciplinary action by the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board.
FAQ
Is physician‑assisted suicide currently permissible in Wisconsin?
No. The law prohibiting assisted suicide remains in force, and the 2022 referendum to legalize it was defeated.
Can a Wisconsin resident receive prescription medication for self‑administrated death elsewhere?
Only if the prescription is issued in a state where assisted dying is legal; Wisconsin doctors cannot legally write such prescriptions.
Are there any ongoing lawsuits that might change the status before 2027?
Several advocacy groups have filed suits challenging the ban on constitutional grounds, but none have succeeded as of mid‑2026.
How does the ban affect hospice and palliative care services?
Hospice providers must operate within the existing statutes, focusing on symptom management rather than assisted death, while still respecting patients’ advance directives.
What steps would be required for Wisconsin to legalize Death with Dignity?
The General Assembly would need to repeal or amend Wis. Stat. § 71.074, likely following a successful voter initiative or a definitive court ruling overturning the ban