New Jersey Advances Bill Allowing Terminally Ill Patients Right to Die

Legislators in the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly passed a bill Monday allowing terminally ill patients to seek life-ending medication — though not without opposition.  

Republican Assemblyman Jay Webber spent almost 20 minutes trying to convince his colleagues in Trenton to vote against the Medical Aid in Dying Act.

"I am pleading with you. I'll even beg you," Webber said, adding that the bill would create a new class of citizen: "The class of citizen who can be killed by another citizen."

But proponents of the bill said it has safeguards. The patient must be an adult proven to be of sound mind. Also, two physicians must attest that the person has six months to live. After making two oral and one written request, patients would be prescribed medicine to take home and self-administer.

"It would be up to the person whether they want to fill the prescription. Then it would be up to the person if they want to ingest the prescription. Only that person can make that decision," said Democratic Assemblyman John Burzichelli, the bill's primary sponsor.

Lawmakers have pushed for the measure since 2012. Only six states and the District of Columbia have similar laws. 

In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy said he will sign the legislation.

"Allowing terminally ill and dying residents the dignity to make end-of-life decisions according to their own consciences is the right thing to do," Murphy said.