Assisted Suicide Bill Put on Hold Until Next Year

SACRAMENTO — A Berkeley assemblywoman who has been pushing legislation to establish an assisted suicide right in California has decided to shelve her proposal until next year.

After winning approval of her measure from the Assembly Appropriations Committee late Thursday, Democratic Assemblywoman Dion Aroner said she will delay full Assembly consideration until next year.

“At the moment, I don’t see the votes” to win passage in the lower house, Aroner said, explaining that she will take more time to discuss the issue with fellow lawmakers.

In April, a Field Poll indicated widespread support among Californians for “right to die” proposals. But Aroner said “policymakers aren’t where the public is.”

Labeled the Death With Dignity Act, Aroner’s legislation would allow competent adults suffering a terminal illness to seek medication from a doctor to end their lives.

Aroner’s measure has run into strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and the California Medical Assn. Critics say the bill would make it easier for the disabled and others who aren’t terminally ill to take their own lives.