23-162 Stay Compliant with CCHCS Exemption from the End of Life Option Act
Date: 02/15/23
To stay compliant, ensure inmates are not prescribed aid-in-dying medications
The California End of Life Option Act is a state law that allows terminally ill adult patients to request an aid-in-dying medications from their doctor to end their life. The Act went into effect on June 9, 2016. Although this was updated in 2022, all participation in activities under this Act are prohibited per Health Care Department Operations Manual (HCDOM), Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2.1.5 End of Life Option Act: Exemption.
The California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) has provided information on its exemption policy for the End of Life Option Act. The policy applies to Prison Health Care Provider Network (PHCPN) providers as described below.
CCHCS exemption policy
CCHCS does not participate in or allow its employees, independent contractors or other persons or entities, including other health care providers, to participate in activities under the End of Life Option Act on premises owned or under management or direct control of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), or while acting within the course and scope of any employment by, or contract with, CDCR or CCHCS.
Consistent with this policy, patient-inmates are not permitted to access aid-in-dying drugs under the End of Life Option Act. CCHCS continues to offer patient-inmates end-of-life care, including counseling, hospice, and palliative care. The CCHCS exemption policy (PDF) is available online.
Additional information
For more information about the End of Life Option Act, refer to the following:
- California Health and Safety Code, Division 1, Part 1.85, Section 443-443.22.
- California Correctional Health Care Services, Inmate Medical Services Policies and Procedures, Volume 4, Chapter 21, Palliative Care and Treatment.
- Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 5, End of Life Option Act ExemptioN (PDF).
- To review the Health Care Department Operations Manual (HCDOM) in its entirety.
If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact the PHCPN Provider Services Center by email, or by phone at 877-899-0561.
This information applies to Physicians, Hospitals, and Ancillary providers.