New Jersey Assembly Panel Approves Assisted Suicide Ballot Initiative

Religion Today | Published: Feb 13, 2013

New Jersey Assembly Panel Approves Assisted Suicide Ballot Initiative

An Assembly panel in New Jersey has approved a measure that would place the issue of assisted suicide on the state ballot, the Christian News Network reports. The 7-2 vote by the Health and Senior Services Committee means the bill -- entitled the Death With Dignity Act -- will now move on to the House and Senate and if approved, would be placed on the 2014 ballot for a vote by the people. The Death With Dignity Act would allow citizens that have been diagnosed as being terminally ill with six months or less to live to end their lives through a lethal dose of medication. The individuals would be required to have two doctors certify that their illness is terminal, and would be given an opportunity to recant their death wish before being given the prescription. Similar legislation was also introduced in the Connecticut legislature last week and approved unanimously in a Vermont Senate committee the prior week.



New Jersey Assembly Panel Approves Assisted Suicide Ballot Initiative