On 8 September 2026, the Regional Council of Veneto approved Regional Law No. 17 “Procedures for regional healthcare assistance for medically assisted suicide”. The law draws on Constitutional Court Judgement No. 242 of 25 September 2019, translating the principles established therein into a defined healthcare procedure. In particular, Judgement No. 242 establishes that a person who facilitates the implementation of assisted suicide is not punishable under Article 580 of the Italian Criminal Code, provided that four strict conditions are met: the person requesting to end their life must be dependent on life-sustaining treatments, suffering from an irreversible medical condition, experiencing intolerable physical or psychological suffering, and possessing full mental capacity to make free and informed decisions.

Although the Constitutional Court called upon the legislator to introduce the necessary regulatory framework, there is still no comprehensive national legislation in force. In light of this legislative gap, some Regions (Tuscany, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, and, through Regional Law No. 17, Veneto), on the basis of their powers in the field of healthcare services, have legislated on the matter. It should also be noted that Regions do not have the power to independently define criminal legislation in this area, which remains an exclusive competence of the State. Regional Councils may, however, intervene by defining the technical procedure for medically assisted suicide, thereby ensuring consistency and transparency throughout the region.

In January 2024, the Regional Council of Veneto examined and rejected Draft Law No. 2017, which originated from a popular initiative promoted by the Luca Coscioni Association for the Freedom of Scientific Research. The text approved this past 8 September is based on the popular initiative bill, but incorporates several amendments reflecting the Constitutional Court’s most recent rulings on the matter, in particular Judgements 204/2025, 148/2026, and 152/2026 (see Yearbook 2026). 

Article 1 of the Regional Law specifies the conditions for access to healthcare assistance for medically assisted suicide, establishing that patients must first be informed of the possibility of receiving palliative care provided for in Regional Law No. 7 of 19 March 2009. A person requesting medically assisted suicided may also undertake a course of psychological support aimed at facilitating a full and informed assessment of the available alternatives.

Article 2 provides that, within thirty days of the law’s entry into force, each Local Health Authority (Azienda ULSS) must establish a Permanent Multidisciplinary Medical Commission responsible for verifying whether the requirements set out in Article 1 are met. Established on a voluntary basis, the Commission is composed of: a palliative care physician, a neurologist, a bioethicist, a psychiatrist, a forensic physician, an internal medicine physician, a psychologist, a senior pharmacist, and a nurse.

If the Commission determines that the patient is eligible to access the procedure, it establishes the arrangements for carrying out medically assisted suicide, identifying the method and self-administered medication that best ensure a dignified and painless end of life.

Article 3 specifies that the procedure for verifying the conditions for access to medically assisted suicide must be initiated promptly at the patient’s request. The Commission carries out the assessment provided for in Article 2 after establishing that the applicant has received adequate information concerning the available alternatives, as well as their right to refuse or withdraw, at any time, their consent to this or any other medical treatment, pursuant to Law No. 2019 of 22 December 2017. The Commission also takes into account the opinion of the Ethics Committee for Clinical Practice, prepared in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Regional Bioethics Committee. The procedure must be conducted without unjustified delay and with due regard for the needs of the patient.

Article 4 establishes that medically assisted suicide is provided free of charge, while Article 5 stipulates that any costs arising from the implementation of the law shall be borne by the regional budget.