Bill to ban physician-assisted suicide fails to clear Senate

HELENA, Mont. — A stunning development on the floor of the Montana Senate in Helena.

Just one day after clearing second reading 26-24, a bill that would prohibit physician-assisted suicide failed to make it through the chamber.

Senate Bill 210, sponsored by State Sen. Carl Glimm (R-Kila), failed 24-26 on its third reading on Wednesday in a non-debatable vote.

Three Republicans flipped their votes from yea to nay which helped vote down the legislation – Senate President Jason Ellsworth (Hamilton) and State Sens. Dan Salomon (Ronan) and Walt Sales (Manhattan).

State Sen. Daniel Zolnikov (R-Billings) was the only legislator to switch their vote from nay to yay.

All 16 Senate Democrats voted against the bill on both readings.

Supporters say suicide is never the answer.

Opponents say the bill prevents terminally ill Montanans from ending their life with dignity and control, and also say that "medical aid in dying" is the proper phrase, not "physician-assisted suicide."