A bill that would legalize assisted suicide is one step closer to passing in New Jersey.
It's a hot button issue in the state. Should doctors be allowed to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients?
The New Jersey Assembly has decided the answer is "yes" in a 41-31 vote on Thursday.
"I have seen a lot of family members go through a lot of pain and I think assisted suicide would have been the right thing to do to end their lives," said New Jersey resident Justin Davenport.
The "Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act" still must pass through the New Jersey Senate, where it has stalled in the past.
The legislation is coming to the forefront after national aid in dying activist Brittany Maynard moved to Oregon from California in order to take a legally prescribed pill to end her life on her own terms, after battling brain cancer.
If the bill passes, New Jersey would be the 4th state to allow assisted suicide.
In order to be prescribed life-ending medication, an individual must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of less than 6 months to live and get 2 doctors to sign off.
While many locals told 69 News they approve of the bill, a new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll shows the divide in New Jersey is much closer. Only 50% of the people support assisted suicide and 38% are opposed to it.
According to the research, the majority of the opposition comes from people who attend religious services regularly.
The Catholic Diocese of Trenton released the following statement which read in part "I call upon all people of good will, to recommit themselves to the belief that God is the only Creator and source of all human life and therefore, God alone has the right to determine its natural end."
New Jersey would be the 4th state to allow assisted suicide.
In order for the bill to become law, Governor Chris Christie must approve it. He has said in the past he will veto the measure.
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/1vhQbQi
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