Bill introduced to allow terminally ill to end their lives

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Lawmakers will consider whether to allow terminally-ill people to end their lives with prescription drugs.

Sen. Gayle Goldin and Rep. Edith Ajello introduced legislation that would guarantee a terminal patient's right to manage their own death if certain criteria are met, including two documented oral requests by the patient to a physician for the medication and a second medical opinion.

They've named their bill in honor of Lila Sapinsley, the state's first female Senate minority leader. They say Sapinsley was working on a similar right-to-die bill before she died last year at the age of 92.

Goldin, a Democrat from Providence, said she's honoring Sapinsley's final request.

A House committee will consider the measure Wednesday.

Only five states have made it legal for terminally-ill people to hasten their deaths.

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