France’s National Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee gave the green light to the assisted dying bill proposal on Wednesday.

The move by the National Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee – in charge of reviewing and amending health, social security, family, and labour legislation – follows the Senate’s rejection last week, which sent the proposal back to the lower house for a second reading.

President Emmanuel Macron promised in 2022 to bring forward an assisted dying law following his reelection.

First officially proposed in 2024, it was approved by the National Assembly in May 2025.

“The National Assembly’s vote on texts concerning the development of palliative care and aid in dying is an important step. With respect for sensitivities, doubts, and hopes, the path of fraternity that I hoped for is gradually opening up. With dignity and humanity,” French President Macron wrote on X at the time.

However, on 28 January, the Senate rejected the bill by 181 votes against and 122 in favour, prompting this week’s committee review.

The approved committee text mirrors the May 2025 version, with one key change: the removal of a clause explicitly excluding “psychological suffering alone” from eligibility criteria.

The next step will begin on 16 February when the full Assembly plenary begins, with the solemn vote scheduled for 24 February.

If the text is approved for a second time, it will return to the Senate. If there is no agreement at this stage, the National Assembly has the final say.

Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the chamber, said she aims for the adoption of the text by the summer.

What will this law mean?

The proposed law creates a right to aided dying for adults with grave incurable illnesses in an advanced or terminal phase.

Only those whose physical condition prevents them from doing it themselves would be able to get help from a doctor or a nurse.

Patients must be over 18 and be French citizens or residents in the country.

A team of medical professionals – at least two doctors and a nurse – would need to confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness “at an advanced or terminal stage,” with constant suffering from intolerable and untreatable pain, and is seeking lethal medication of their own free will.

The proposed law would also create a conscience clause for healthcare professionals who do not wish to participate in this procedure and would then require them to refer the patient to other healthcare professionals.