The issue of assisted suicide is currently under legislative consideration in nearly 20 states across the United States, reflecting the growing international debate on this controversial topic.
At present, nine American states have legalized medically assisted suicide, a move that has been sanctioned by the government. These states include California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. Additionally, a 2009 ruling by the Montana Supreme Court established that assisted suicide would not contravene public policy or be deemed illegal.
As reported by Axios, legislation related to assisted suicide is pending in 19 states, among them Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia.
In Virginia, a bill was recently passed permitting individuals with terminal illnesses to request a "self-administered controlled substance" to end their lives, according to the Daily Caller. Democratic Representative Jennifer Wexton, who suffers from progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurodegenerative disease, expressed her support for the legislation in a letter. "There are [thousands of Virginians] dealing with terminal illnesses facing unthinkable challenges and choices because of these devastating health conditions," she wrote. "That is why this legislation is so critical. It is a vital step allowing Virginians to gain the dignity, freedom, and peace of mind we deserve in the face of a tragic terminal illness like mine."
In New York, similar legislation is being considered, buoyed by support from the New York State Bar Association and Democratic politicians. "We have momentum like we haven't seen since the bill was first introduced close to a decade ago," stated Democrat state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
In Arizona, the proposed bill would permit patients to request that doctors withhold "food and liquids" from them. The bill outlines that an adult may prepare a written statement, known as a living will, to control the health care treatment decisions that can be made on their behalf.
Oregon was the first state to legalize euthanasia in 1997, followed by California, Vermont, and Washington state.
Internationally, physician-assisted suicide has been legalized in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. Colombia, Italy, and Germany have also legalized it but have yet to establish formal procedures.
In Canada, the government recently suspended assisted suicide for the mentally ill, although the service remains available for those over 18 years old.
In the Netherlands, eligibility for assisted suicide extends to children as young as 12. "Minors may themselves request euthanasia from the age of 12, although the consent of the parents or guardian is mandatory until they reach the age of 16," a government website clarified. "Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds do not need parental consent in principle, but their parents must be involved in the decision-making process."
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