CALIFORNIA (CNN) — Advocates of assisted suicide secured another major victory after California lawmakers passed legislation that would allow terminally ill people to obtain prescription drugs to hasten their death.
The legislation now goes to California Gov. Jerry Brown, who has yet to indicate his position on the matter.
The state Senate on Friday approved the bill 23-14. The Assembly approved it earlier this week 44-35.
California would become the fifth state in the country to authorize medical aid in dying, according to the nonprofit advocacy group Compassion & Choices.
The measure is modeled after Oregon’s death-with-dignity law passed 17 years ago, the group said. States with similar laws are Washington, Montana and Vermont, the group said.
The California legislation comes 10 months after resident Brittany Maynard, 29, was forced to move to Oregon, where she legally took medication to end her life. She had terminal brain cancer.
“I am proud to be a part of this historic moment,” state Sen. Lois Wolk, a co-author of the bill, said in a statement. “No longer should terminally ill individuals in California be forced to suffer needlessly in their final days when a more compassionate option is available.”
State Sen. Bill Monning called the passage “a historic milestone” for California.
“The passage of this legislation to the Governor is the culmination of months of discussions and passionate debates about the end of life care,” Monning said.
As the bill passed the Assembly this week, Californians Against Assisted Suicide spokesperson Tim Rosales said the bill was being rushed through the Legislature’s special session.
Rosales noted how there were “many eloquent statements of assisted suicide opposition from progressive legislators representing low-income districts.”
“This bill remains opposed by groups representing people living with disabilities, cancer doctors, people advocating for the poor and uninsured and faith based organizations,” Rosales said in a statement.
