A bill that would allow the terminally ill to medically take their own lives successfully passed two state House committees Wednesday.
House Bill 2739, also known as “Our Care, Our Choice,” was approved by the House committees on Health and Human Services and Judiciary. The bill now awaits a second reading before the full House.
“Our Care, Our Choice” would, if passed, allow qualified patients diagnosed with a terminal illness and less than six months to live to obtain a prescription for medication that would end their lives.
A statement by the House said the bill would provide “the most rigorous safeguards of any state in the nation to protect terminally ill patients.”
The bill passed the Health and Human Services Committee 4-1, with the only vote in opposition cast by Rep. Andria Tupola, R-Honolulu. The Judiciary Committee voted 7-1, with Rep. Bob McDermott, R-Honolulu, casting the sole opposing vote.
After a second and third reading before the full House, the House will vote on the bill. If successful, the bill will then be passed to the state Senate.