Assembly panel to consider assisted suicide bill

A New Jersey Assembly committee is set to consider a measure that would allow terminally ill patients to be prescribed medication that would end their lives.

The Death with Dignity Act would let adult patients who are told they have up to six months to live decide if they want to self-administer the lethal medication. Proponents say it gives these patients a choice to die humanely.

 

The Health and Senior Service committee is due to consider the measure Thursday.

The bill’s sponsor says state statutes are outdated and that New Jersey should follow the examples of other states considering similar measures. The bill is modeled after ones in Washington and Oregon.

The bill calls for a referendum on the issue, but it also could be sent back to the legislature.