State of California Passes Right-to-Die Legislation

June 9, 2016:

California's End of Life Option Act went into effect today.

The Life Legal Defense Foundation, the American Academy of Medical Ethics, and several physicians filed a lawsuit in Riverside County Superior Court claiming that the End of Life Option Act is unconstitutional.

March 10, 2016:

The California Medical Association issued a 15-page guide which details the legal and medical steps physicians must follow when prescribing end-of-life medications for patients.

January 19, 2016:

In Sacramento, the California Legislature decided on June 9, 2016 as the start date for the End of Life Option Act.

Oct 5, 2015:

California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB-15 End of life (End of Life Option Act) into law, making California the fifth state in the United States to allow assisted-suicide.

In a signing statement Governor Brown said he carefully considered all of the pro and con arguments of right-to-die. He closed his statement as follows:

In the end, I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death. I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. And I wouldn't deny that right to others.

According to an article on The Huffington Post website:

The law will allow terminally ill patients to seek medical aid in ending their lives as long as they have been given six months or less to live by two doctors, provided a written request and two oral requests at least 15 days apart and are deemed mentally capable of making decisions about their own health.

Source:

Reilly, Mollie . (October 6, 2015). "Right To Die Becomes Law In California". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2015-10-06.

Montana, Oregon, Vermont and Washington have similar laws. In the state of New Mexico, assisted suicide is scheduled to be reviewed by the New Mexico Supreme Court later this month.

Sep 11, 2015:

By a vote of 23-14, the California State Senate passed a bill which allows assisted suicide. The bill now goes to California Governor Jerry Brown.

Sep 9, 2015:

By a vote of 43-34, the California State Assembly passed a bill which allows assisted suicide. The bill now goes to the California State Senate.

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