California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that will allow assisted suicide in the state for certain individuals with terminal illness. The legislation was a long time reaching this point when it finally cleared the legislature earlier this year after facing numerous challenges from religious groups particularly the Roman Catholic Church. The new law is based on the Oregon assisted suicide statute that was a nationwide first when it was passed in 1997. Proponents of the bill hail it as a victory for personal choice as it will ease the suffering of those that lack the means to travel out of state to escape their terminal disease. However, opposition groups can take solace from resent victories over similar legislation in other states as well as The United Kingdom where a right to die proposal was killed in the House of Commons. However, the statute will not come into force immediately as it is expected to be early 2016 before the condition occurs which will allow the legislation to take effect.
See Patrick McGreevy, Gov. Brown signs controversial assisted-suicide bill, Los Angeles Times, October 5, 2015.
