SACRAMENTO, Sept. 12 (UPI) — California lawmakers approved a bill Friday that allows terminally ill patients to legally end their lives, sending it to Gov. Jerry Brown for approval or veto.
The bill allows doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients who request them. Two doctors must agree the patient has only six months to live. The legislation now rests with Brown, a Catholic and former Jesuit seminary student who has yet to articulate his position on the measure. The End of Life Options Act passed the Senate in a 23-14 vote.
“By an overwhelming majority across all groups — religious, ethnic, geographic, no matter what age or gender — Californians want us to act to eliminate the needless pain and prolonged suffering of those who are dying,” said state Sen. Lois Wolk, a bill co-author.
If Brown approves the measure, California will join Oregon, Washington and Vermont with similar laws.
