State Sen. Joanne Comerford said she will sponsor a bill in January to allow someone with a terminal diagnosis of six months or fewer to receive physician assistance with death, Connecticut Public reported Dec. 23.
Recently, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state constitution does not protect the right for physicians to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill, mentally competent adults. However, the court left open the possibility of the state Legislature exploring the issue.
A statewide poll conducted last spring found almost 80 percent of residents believe a mentally sound adult with an incurable terminal illness should be allowed to get help from a physician to die, according to the report.