No hearing for Death with Dignity Bill

House Judiciary Chairman, Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, today announced that the House of Representatives will not hold a hearing this year on a bill pertaining to the issue of Death with Dignity.

A bill for consideration, HB806, proposes to allow a terminally ill, competent adult to get a lethal dose of medication to end life. It would prohibit mercy killings, lethal injections, and active euthanasia.

“This is an important subject that needs to be discussed,” said Chair Karamatsu. “At this time, the committee has not received a strong push from advocates to hear the bill, therefore, given the full plate before the Judiciary committee, I have decided to not hear the bill this year. I am open to hearing the bill in the future.”

Photo: Supporters of Death with Dignity initiative in Oregon. (Click on photo for link)