CA Right-to-Die Law To Allow Terminal Patients To Take Own Lives

By LINDSEY HICKMAN (Patch Staff)

SACRAMENTO, CA- California patients will have the right to assisted suicide beginning in three months with the state’s new law known as the ‘Right to Die’ or ‘Death with Dignity.’

Although the Governor signed the bill in October of last year, terminally ill patients will finally have the ability to end their lives by taking a physician-prescribed drug beginning on June 9.

NBC reports that there are safeguards for both patients and physicians built into the legislation. Patients must go through two screenings, and their mental capacity must be evaluated if there is any doubt by the doctor.

Religious hospitals will have the right to prohibit distribution, and doctors will have the choice to opt out.The full NBC article is available here.

Photo via Shutterstock