California legislature approves bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide

By Sharon Bernstein SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - The California legislature on Friday approved a bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients despite opposition from religious and disability rights groups, sending it to Democratic Governor Jerry Brown for his approval or veto. The bill would allow mentally competent patients to request a prescription that would end their lives if two doctors agree the patients have only six months to live. The measure, based on a similar law in Oregon, passed the state Senate on Friday on a vote of 23-14, after passing the Assembly on Wednesday.

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